System for annotating an object in a video

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 annotating a part of a video, wherein the video includes frames having objects, the method comprising:
 determining a frame in the video;   accepting a signal from a user input device to define a visual annotation at a designated position within the frame to associate the visual annotation with at least a portion of an object in the frame; and   displaying the visual annotation in the frame at the designated position during playback of the video so that a viewer associates the visual annotation with the at least a portion of the object in the frame.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 displaying an annotation marker during playback to indicate that one or more frames in the video include a visual annotation.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation includes text. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation includes a symbol. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation includes a drawing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation includes a photograph. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation includes a bitmap. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation includes a digital image. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation includes a thumbnail image. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation is associated with a link. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 launching a web browser to display a web page when the visual annotation is selected.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 launching an application when the visual annotation is selected.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 playing a clip when the visual annotation is selected.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 opening a project when the visual annotation is selected.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation is automatically created. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein frames are automatically added to the video. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 accepting a signal from a user input device to select an object in the frame; and   associating the visual annotation with the object.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the visual annotation is stored together with other visual annotations associated with the object. 
     
     
         32 . A tangible storage medium including one or more instructions executable by one or more processors for annotating a part of a video, wherein the video includes frames having objects, the one or more instructions comprising:
 determining a frame in the video;   accepting a signal from a user input device to define a visual annotation at a designated position within the frame to associate the visual annotation with at least a portion of an object in the frame; and   displaying the visual annotation in the frame at the designated position during playback of the video so that a viewer associates the visual annotation with the at least a portion of the object in the frame.   
     
     
         33 . A system for annotating a part of a video, wherein the video includes frames having objects, the system including:
 one or more processors;   at least one tangible storage device including one or more instructions executable by the one or more processors for:
 determining a frame in the video; 
 accepting a signal from a user input device to define a visual annotation at a designated position within the frame to associate the visual annotation with at least a portion of an object in the frame; and 
 displaying the visual annotation in the frame at the designated position during playback of the video so that a viewer associates the visual annotation with the at least a portion of the object in the frame.