Abstract: First selected image frames in a native format are read from a frame storage device (103) and are directly modified in response to a first process. Output signals are supplied to a display device (102) such that the display device displays a view of stored frames. The frames are stored in the native format but appear in the view as if stored in an alternative format. Frames are selected and in response to receiving input selection signals, selected frames are translated into an alternative format and supplied to a second process in the translated formats.

Abstract: Image data (derived from film or video clips) is transferred from storage to high speed memory. After a transfer has taken place, a prediction is made as to subsequent image frames that will need to be transferred. The predicted images are transferred from storage to high speed memory while previously transferred data held in memory is processed.

Abstract: Image data representing a moving image by a sequence of image frames each containing an array of pixels. A distinctive characteristic of an image frame is identified and image data is modified in response to process iterations. For each iteration, a tracking parameter is generated (1504) and the rendering of said object is controlled (1506) in response to the tracking parameter. An output image is displayed in response to the application of the controlled object so that tracking and display operations are performed on a frame-by-frame basis to facilitate creative manipulation of control parameters and tracking locations.

Abstract: Image data is generated from scene data, possibly within a virtual set. The scene data defines surfaces and a plurality of lighting banks. A multi-resolution representation of a radiosity equation is constructed with respect to the scene data. The radiosity equation is solved individually for each of the light banks. A light bank for which a solution is being sought is switched on with the remaining light banks being switched off.

Abstract: A method of modifying image data in which image colors are to be modified, including a first step of initialising a color vector function, in which color vector is a function of luminance, and then the following repeated steps. A user defines a luminance range (616, 617) and a color vector (620) for that range. The color vector function is updated (601) and a look-up table (407) is generated (602) that is addressable by luminance. Image data (405) is processed by calculating each pixel's luminance and using this to address the red, green and blue values in the look-up table (407). The red, green and blue values so obtained are then added to each pixel's original red, green and blue values, resulting in output image pixels.

Abstract: A method of modifying image colors in which a user identifies a source color (707) and a destination color (708) having a common luminance (704). Source and destination color volumes (821, 822) are defined by firstly identifying two points (811, 812) opposite in color to the source (707), and secondly by selecting the most distant of white or black (813) as another point. The source color volume (821) and destination color volume (822) have these three points in common. A transformation is then defined (804) to transform from the source to the destination volume. This transformation, when applied (805) to image colors, results in the color change intended by the user.

Abstract: An image processing system processes image data in response to a sequence of image processing steps defined by a process tree data structure. The process tree comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes, including input nodes and at least one output node. Output rendering is performed a frame at a time, and each frame is rendered in a time determined by the amount of processing defined by the process tree. The process tree may comprise many branches of interconnected nodes, and the user can selectively cache intermediately rendered frames at nodes where the contributing process tree branches are relatively stable in their configuration. The user may then make modifications to processes in other parts of the process tree, without having to wait for image data to be rendered from unchanged parts of the process tree.

Abstract: A networked image processing environment has several image data processing systems (501-508). In addition, there are provided many storage systems (511-518) in which each of the data storage systems is operated under the direct control of one of the image processing systems. A fiber channel switch (521) is connected to each of the data processing systems and to each of the storage systems. A low bandwidth Ethernet (551) connects the image processing systems together and is also connected to the fiber channel switch. Under this arrangement, the fiber channel switch is controlled by one of the processing systems. A first processing system requests access to a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over the Ethernet. The second processing system makes an identification of storage regions that may be accessed by the first processing system then conveys this identification to the first processing system, again over the Ethernet.

Abstract: An image data processing system is configured to store image data with redundant protection in the form of a redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID). An input card is configured to receive an input stream of real-time digital video data, possibly provided by a video tape recorder. The video image data is stored and a processor is arranged to perform processing operations upon the stored video data. The input card receives an input stream of real-time video data and the processor performs a first writing operation to write the video data to storage (106) in real-time without parity. The processor then performs a reading operation to read the data from storage and performs a data manipulation (307) upon the data to generate parity information to create protected video data. The processor then performs a second writing operation to write the protected video data back to storage.

Abstract: A method of matching image color and or luminance characteristics in an image processing system. In order to match an input image with a reference image, a color transformation M is initialized (601). An output image is copied (602) from the input image. The following sequence of operations is then repeated: Output and reference images are displayed on a system monitor. The user identifies (603) a highlight, shadow or overall region in both images. These regions are processed (604) to identify a difference (605). The difference is concatenated (606) onto transformation M. The output image is updated (607) by processing the input with M.

Abstract: A process of defining a color volume for use in a process of color keying, in which a foreground image (405) is composited against a background image (407). The foreground image (405) contains regions of a background color (723). The user defines diamond shaped areas (611, 621) in PbPr color dimensions, and luminance ranges (612, 622). Tolerance and softness volumes (613, 623) are defined in this way, and a transformation is defined for each. Foreground pixels are processed (602) to determine a background, foreground, or softness condition for a matte (406). Softness represents a partial mix of foreground and background. The mix level is calculated by re-centring (1201) the softness volume, and processing (1206) with an optional sharpness parameter (706).

Abstract: Image data is generated from scene data, in which the scene data include object elements in world space. Each object element has a surface that may be subdivided into a mesh and a plurality of these objects have a surface that is created in response to data from a master shape in canonical space. The surface is created by an affine transformation of the master shape and the master shape has a known area. A corresponding area of the transformed surface is calculated with reference to the adjoint matrix and the affine transformation. With this information, the surface areas in world space are used to determine light emission characteristics for the scene. The technique is particularly attractive when rendering images in real-time for application within a virtual set.

Abstract: Video storage is shown in which stripes of video data, derived from video frames or video fields, are written to respective magnetic storage disks. Each disk is provided with a unique serial number during manufacture and the position of a stripe within an image frame is mapped to these unique serial numbers. In this way, it is possible for the physical locations of the disks within the array to be changed while maintaining correct alignment of the stripes making up each image frame.

Abstract: Image data is processed consisting of a first data set representing a polarity of moving objects and a second data set derived from two dimensional video frames. Three dimensional video objects are perceived as moving in three dimensional space in response to a trajectory definition. The trajectories of the moving objects is modified in response to the position of the two dimensional video frames. The modification may be affected in response to a matte or key signal derived from the video images, allowing the foreground video image to be combined with three dimensional moving particles.

Abstract: Video data storage apparatus includes a plurality of storage disks arranged to store portions of video frames. Incoming data is analysed to determine the number of storage devices required to store a frame. The data is then written to the storage devices as so determined. In addition, in accordance with the size of an incoming frame, the size of each stripe may also be modified. By adjusting the number stripes and the size of each stripe it is possible to write the optimum amount of data to each stripe thereby enhancing the transfer characterstics.

Abstract: Displayed picture points are re-locatable in response to manual operation of an interface device such as a stylus or a mouse etc. The interface device is activated, by being placed into pressure or by clicking, and an identified picture point is subsequently moved in response to manual operation of the interface device. In response to said picture point being moved, other picture points are also moved by a displacement which differs from the displacement of the identified picture point and which varies in proportion to the original distance of the other picture point from the identified picture point.

Abstract: Real image data is generated by a camera in addition to positional data representing characteristics of said camera, including an indication of zoom control. A synthesized image is generated for combination with the real image and the perceived focus of the synthesized image is adjusted in response to zoom control adjustment, so as to effect a focusing difference between a portion of said real image and a portion of said synthesized image.

Abstract: A multitrack architecture for computer-based editing of multimedia sequences is disclosed herein. The multimedia sequences are formed of a plurality of collated segments representing audio or video scenes. The architecture contains sequence tracks for ordering the segments of the multimedia sequence and process tracks for applying transformations and/or animations to some of these segments. The output of the process tracks may be supplied to other process tracks and/or to a sequence track. Scope controls are provided to determine which portion of the output of a process track is supplied to another process track and/or to a sequence track.

Abstract: Image data is processed in the form of digitized frames on a video clip. A first clip is received in combination with a second clip. Frames are alternately supplied from each of said clips to a real time rendering device configured to produce a viewable composited clip at video rate. By making use of a rendering engine primarily designed for rendering synthesized images, it is possible to view many video effects, such as dissolves and wipes, in real time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing unwanted movements in digitized image caused by unsuitable camera mountings or recordings made under difficult conditions. The image data is processed by tracking a selected image portion over a plurality of frames. The position of the image within its frame is adjusted so that the position of the selected image portion remains substantially constant frame after frame, and modifications to the image are made. Portions of the images that extend beyond frame edges are repositioned within the frame edge. The position of the image within its frame is then reset to its original position, so that the modified image moves as if it were part of an original shot.