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Object selection using hit test tracks

  • US 6,219,048 B1
  • Filed: 10/24/1994
  • Issued: 04/17/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for labeling and subsequently identifying selected areas within images from a sequence of temporally related images represented by a plurality of tracks of image data which are operative to be displayed by a display of a computer, the computer having a memory for storing the plurality of tracks, wherein one of the plurality of tracks is operative to be displayed by the computer at the same time as a second track of the plurality of tracks, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) identifying an area to be labeled within an image from said sequence of images;

    (b) labeling every pixel within said identified area with an area identifier which is unique to said area;

    (c) storing each labeled pixel in a labeled portion of memory linked to said image;

    (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for each identified area within each image from said sequence of images;

    (e) interrogating said memory in response to a user'"'"'s selection of a pixel location within a selected area from a selected image of said images displayed on said display to locate a labeled portion of memory corresponding to said selected image, said selected area being one of said areas identified in step (a);

    (f) evaluating said labeled portion corresponding to said selected image to locate an area identifier corresponding to said pixel location; and

    (g) identifying said area identifier to said computer as an indication of said selected area, wherein step (b) includes the steps of;

    mapping said area into an item buffer corresponding to said image; and

    assigning said area identifier to each pixel within said area to form labeled pixels within said item buffer corresponding to pixel locations within said image;

    step (c) includes the steps of;

    compressing said item buffer;

    storing said compressed item buffer in said labeled portion of memory; and

    storing an image identifier with said compressed item buffer in said labeled portion of memory to link said labeled portion of memory to said image; and

    step (g) includes the step of;

    decompressing a region of said item buffer surrounding said pixel location, wherein said region of said item buffer is smaller than said item buffer.

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