Method and apparatus for identifying user-selectable regions within multiple display frames

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.

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.

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.

An apparatus comprising A computer program product for determining a location of a user-selectable region, the computer program product having a computer-readable storage medium having computer executable code for:

• 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.

An apparatus A computer program product having a computer-readable storage medium having computer executable code for determining a location of a user-selectable region, 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.

An apparatus for identifying a user-selectable region within a series of display frames, the apparatus comprising:

• a storage device, for storing a container track sample corresponding to an input, a region definition for the container track sample, and a beginning transformation function for the container track sample;
• and
• a processing unit, coupled to the storage device, for:
• comparing a time index to a key sample table to determine whether the container track sample is a key sample or an override sample;
• identifying the user-selectable region by applying the beginning transformation function to the region definition;
• outputting a signal indicating the location of the user-selectable region;
• and
• executing a set of instructions identified in the container track sample.

A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:

• accessing a first frame of a video track stored on a storage device, wherein the video track includes a plurality of frames and wherein the first frame corresponds to a user-selectable region;
• determining an area occupied by the user-selectable region at an intermediate point in time based on interpolation between a first matrix of a key sample representing the user-selectable region at a first point in time and a second matrix of an override sample representing the user-selectable region at a second point in time;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether a user selection falls within the determined area.

An apparatus comprising:

• an input device, for receiving an indication of a user selection;
• a region determination module, coupled to the input device, 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;
• 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;
• 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;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:

• accessing a first frame of a video track stored on a storage device, wherein the video track includes a plurality of frames and wherein the first frame corresponds to a user-selectable region;
• determining an area occupied by the user-selectable region at an intermediate point in time, the area occupied by the user selectable region including at least one location in the first frame, based on interpolation between a key sample representing the user-selectable region at a first point in time and an override sample representing the user-selectable region at a second point in time;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether a user selection falls within the determined area.

A method comprising:

• receiving an indication of a user selection;
• determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a first sample alone or the first sample in combination with a second sample, the first and second samples having a relationship so that combining information from the first and second samples produces a valid result;
• merging information from the first sample with information from the second sample to determine a region definition if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the first sample in combination with the second sample, and otherwise using the information from the first sample alone to determine the region definition, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• determining a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection fails within the user-selectable region.

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 first sample alone or the first sample in combination with a second sample;
• merge information from the first sample with information from the second sample to determine a region definition if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the first sample in combination with the second sample, otherwise use the information from the first sample alone to determine the region definition, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• determine a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• output a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium storing computer-readable code therein for identifying a user-selectable region comprising:

• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive an indication of a user selection;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a first sample alone or the first sample in combination with a second sample;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to merge information from the first sample with information from the second sample to determine a region definition if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the first sample in combination with the second sample, and otherwise to use the information from the first sample alone to determine the region definition, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to output a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

A computer program product for determining a location of user-selectable region, the computer program product having a computer-readable storage medium having computer executable code for:

• receiving an indication of a user selection;
• determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a first sample alone or the first sample in combination with a second sample;
• merging information from the first sample with information from the second sample to determine a region definition if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the first sample in combination with the second sample, and otherwise using the information from the first sample alone to determine the region definition, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• determining a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

An apparatus comprising:

• an input device, for receiving an indication of a user selection;
• a region determination module, coupled to the input device, for:
• determining whether information for a user-selectable region is based on a first sample alone or the first sample in combination with a second sample, the first and second samples having a relationship so that combining information from the first and second samples produces a valid result;
• merging information from the first sample with information from the second sample to determine a region definition if the information for the user-selectable region is based on the first sample in combination with the second sample, and otherwise using the information from the first sample alone to determine the region definition, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• determining a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:

• accessing a first frame of a video track stored on a storage device, wherein the video track includes a plurality of frames and wherein the first frame corresponds to a user-selectable region;
• determining an area occupied by the user-selectable region at a point in time based on a combination of a key sample representing the user-selectable region at a first point in time and an override sample representing the user-selectable region at a second point in time, the area occupied by the user-selectable region including at least one location in the first frame;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether a user selection falls within the determined area.

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 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, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• and
• determining a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

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 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, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• determine a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• output a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium storing computer-readable code therein for identifying a user-selectable region comprising:

• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to receive an indication of a user selection;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer 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;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to merge information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition 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, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to determine a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to output a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

A computer program product for determining a location of a user-selectable region, the computer program product having a computer-readable storage medium having computer executable code for:

• 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 first sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition 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, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• determining a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

An apparatus comprising:

• an input device, for receiving an indication of a user selection;
• a region determination module, coupled to the input device 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;
• merging information from the key sample with information from the override sample to determine a region definition 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, the region definition defining at least one spatial location;
• determining a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

A method for defining a user-selectable region on a display device, comprising:

• accessing a region definition of a user-selectable region corresponding to at least one spatial location in a first frame of a video track stored on a storage device;
• applying a transformation matrix to the region definition, to obtain an area occupied by the region on the display device;
• accessing a second region definition corresponding to at least one spatial location in a second frame of the video track, the first and second frames having a relationship so that combining information corresponding to the first and second frames produces a valid result;
• applying a second transformation matrix to the second region definition, to obtain a second area occupied by the region on the display device;
• interpolating between the first area and the second area occupied by the region, to determine an intermediate area occupied by the region on the display device;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether a user selection falls within the intermediate area.

An apparatus comprising:

• a storage device including a video track comprising a plurality of frames, wherein a first frame of the video track contains at least one spatial location included in a user-selectable region definition;
• and
• a processing unit coupled to the storage device which:
• determines an area occupied by the user-selectable region applying a transformation matrix to the region definition, to obtain an area occupied by the region on the display device;
• accesses a second region definition corresponding to at least one spatial location in a second frame of the video track, the first and second frames having a relationship so that combining information corresponding to the first and second frames produces a valid result;
• applies a second transformation matrix to the second region definition, to obtain a second area occupied by the region on the display device;
• and
• interpolates between the first area and the second area occupied by the region, to determine an intermediate area occupied by the region on the display device;
• and
• outputs a signal indicating whether a user selection falls within the intermediate area.

A computer program product comprising a computer-usable medium storing computer-readable code therein for defining a user-selectable region on a display device comprising:

• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to access a region definition of a user-selectable region corresponding to at least one spatial location in a first frame of a video track stored on a storage device;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to apply a transformation matrix to the region definition, to obtain an area occupied by the region on the display device;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to access a second region definition corresponding to at least one spatial location in a second frame of the video track, the first and second frames having a relationship so that combining information corresponding to the first and second frames produces a valid result;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to apply a second transformation matrix to the second region definition, to obtain a second area occupied by the region on the display device;
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to interpolate between the first area and the second area occupied by the region, to determine an intermediate area occupied by the region on the display device;
• and
• computer-readable program code configured to cause a computer to output a signal indicating whether a user selection falls within the intermediate area.

A method comprising:

• receiving an indication of a user selection;
• merging information from the first sample with information from a second sample to determine a region definition, the region definition defining at least one spatial location, the first and second samples having a relationship so that combining information from the first and second samples produces a valid result;
• and
• determining a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.

An apparatus comprising:

• an input device, for receiving an indication of a user selection;
• a region determination module, coupled to the input device, for:
• merging information from the first sample with information from a second sample to determine a region, the including at least one spatial location, the first and second samples having a relationship so that combining information from the first and second samples produces a valid result;
• determining a spatial location of the user-selectable region at a time the user selection is made based at least in part on the region definition;
• and
• outputting a signal indicating whether the user selection falls within the user-selectable region.