Abstract: An image processing system for effecting a predetermined transformation to data representing a multiplicity of pixels which together form an initial image so as to create data representing a multiplicity of pixels which together form a transformed image in which each pixel is formed as a weighted combination of pixels in a respective block of data in the initial image. The system includes a controller operable for each pixel in the transformed image to identify the block of data containing all pixels in the initial image that contribute to the transformed image pixel, to divide the block into a plurality of sub-blocks comprising a plurality of rows of pixel data and plurality of columns of pixel data, and to calculate for each sub-block a set of transformation coefficients depending on the predetermined transformation.

Abstract: An electronic graphic system comprises an image store for storing data defining an initial image, an address generator for generating address data identifying multiple dot areas in the store, and a processor for processing the data in each dot area so that picture elements in the dot area are defined by data of a substantially uniform value. The processed data thus defines a multiplicity of picture elements that together form an image of multiple dot areas derived from the initial image data. The system can be applied to data defining a still image and to video data defining a moving image. When applied to video data the dot areas can be varied on a time basis.

Abstract: An image processing system 20 comprises a format converter 21 for receiving a first signal having a larger bandwidth and a second signal having a smaller bandwidth, the first and second signals together representing an image. A processor 23 is arranged to process the first and second signals to produce signals representing a manipulated version of the image. The system further comprises a deriving circuit 25 which is arranged to derive from information in the larger bandwidth signal additional information for the smaller bandwidth signal. The deriving circuit derives an unknown value of a pixel as represented by the smaller bandwidth signal from known values of the pixel and the pixels adjacent thereto as represented by the larger bandwidth signal and from known values of the adjacent pixels as represented by the smaller bandwidth signal. The deriving circuit facilitates conversion of the first and second signals into another signal format representing the image.

Abstract: A video graphics system is provided with a framestore 3 and a viewing store 10. The framestore 3 is arranged to receive new image data created by a processor 6 in response to user manipulations of a stylus/touch tablet device 1. The framestore 3 and the viewing store 10 both have the capacity to store a high definition image and to facilitate display of the image on a high definition monitor 13 the framestore is arranged to transfer only portions of its data contents to the viewing store 10 during a frame period. The portion transferred is determined by the position of the stylus on the touch tablet at the beginning of a frame period. Data in the viewing store 10 is output in faster sequence for display on the monitor 13.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus (1) comprises a color image scanner (2) for producing digital data defining pixels representing an image in terms of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y) and black (K) components. The CMYK data from the scanner is received by a conversion processor (5) and a color converter (6). The color converter (6) together with a format converter (7) converts the CMYK data into RGB data, representing the image in terms of its red, green and blue components, for processing by a drawing processor (9). The operation of the scanner (2) is adjustable to a desired setting to provide CMYK data to which a color correction has been applied. In order that the RGB data accurately represents the color content of the image the effect of the color correction must be removed.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus 20 comprises several disc stores 21 to 24 connected to respective RAM buffers 37 to 40 by respective data interfaces and highways 25 to 36. Sets of data are stored in the disc stores with the data in each set being distributed among the disc stores. The apparatus comprises a controller 51 which, in response to an external request for data, generates control data identifying one or more sets of data to be transferred between the disc stores and the RAM buffers. The control data is transferred to the disc stores 21 to 24 via the respective data interfaces and highways 25 to 36. When data is ready for transfer a signal is sent from the interfaces 33 to 36 and once the controller has received signals from each of the interfaces it enables data to be transferred between the interfaces and respective RAM buffers.

Abstract: Uncompressed digital video data representing one or more initial video frames is input from a video source 2 to a disc store 14 via a compressor/decompressor 10 or a bypass path 20 and a data bus 12. Thus, data can be stored in the disc store 14 in either compressed or uncompressed form. Video data corresponding to video frames selected for editing are held in a display store 5 in uncompressed or decompressed form and editing and other image processing operations are performed thereon by an image processor 6 under the control of a stylus/touch tablet or other user operable input device. Edited data is output to the bypass path for storage without compression in the store or to the compressor/decompressor for storage in compressed form in the store. The compressor/decompressor may be configured to effect symmetrical real time data compression and decompression or fractal data compression.

Abstract: A video processing system for use in creating apparent three dimensional movement of a two dimensional video image on a display screen 20. At least one set of axes is displayed on the image to be moved. A computer 24, in response to signals from a user operated stylus 21 and touch tablet 22, controls the manipulation of image data in an image store 26 to control apparent rotation of the image about, and/or linear movement along, an axis selected by the user. In the described embodiment several sets of linked axes are defined. Rotation or linear movement with respect to an axis is controlled respectively by selecting a marker identifying the axes or a line representing the axis. Selection is made by way of a cursor under the control of the stylus and touch tablet. The system can also display a line representing the user defined movement of e.g. the center of the image.

Abstract: A video processing system 1 comprises a video tape recorder 2 which serves as a bulk store for storing video clips, a video disc store for storing video data relating to one or more video clips from the recorder 2 and an image processor 6 for processing video data from the video store 7 to produce an edited video clip. Set-up data identifying video frame locations and defining the manner in which the processor 6 processes data from the video store 7 to produce the edited video clip is stored in an editing memory 12. During or after editing, data can be archived for future use. The system 1 further comprises a magneto-optical disc store 35 for storing the set-up data from the editing memory 12. For the purpose of archiving, the video tape and an associated magneto-optical disc are assigned a common archive identity. Each frame of data from the video disc store 7 used in an edit is stored only once on the video tape and set-up data for the edit is stored on the associated magneto-optical disc.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus 20 comprises a store 2 for storing data representing an image, a cathode ray tube 5 for displaying the image represented by the data in raster scan order and a camera 7 for directing the displayed image onto film 10. A movable mask 21 is positioned in front of the screen of the cathode ray tube 5. The mask defines an aperture 25 which is moved over the screen of the tube 5 as the image is displayed thereon so as to prevent unwanted light caused by the displaying of the image from being directed onto the film 10.

Abstract: An image processing system (10, 20) comprises a framestore (11) or other source of image data in a first color format (RGB) and is arranged to convert the data into data representing at least one color separation. A color rotator 14, such as a color transform matrix, is provided for rotating on a pixel-by-pixel basis the first color format data (RGB) into data in a second color format (NPQ) selected such that one of the colors thereof corresponds to the color of the at least one color separation. A look-up table (15) determines from the most significant parts of the data from the rotator (14) a range of color values in the second color format which includes the value of the color separation pixel. An interpolator (16) receives data defining the range of values from the look-up table and in response to the least significant parts of the data from the color rotator (14) interpolates the data from the look-up table to determine the value of the color separation pixel.

Abstract: Features in an image being modified can be expanded or contracted under the control of the user. The expansion and contraction are both executed by offsetting image data and then writing the offset data to a store where it is combined by a weighted summation with data previously stored therein. This operation is repeated for different offsets. The effect of the weighted summation is also to add soft edges to features in the picture and the system may therefore be used to soften control images.

Abstract: The system comprises a memory formed of several disk stores for storing data representing at least one image and a working framestore for temporarily storing one or two frames of image data. Data in the framestore is modified by a processor under operator control. Data is stored in the disk stores by switching selected pixels from each line and selected lines from the or each frame, by way of switches and buffers, to respective disk stores such that the image data is divided into groups which each define a lower resolution version of the whole image frame.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus comprises a store for storing data representing an image, a cathode ray tube for displaying the image represented by the data in raster scan order and a camera for directing the displayed image onto film. A movable mask is positioned in front of the screen of the cathode ray tube. The mask defines an aperture which is moved over the screen of the tube as the image is displayed thereon so as to prevent unwanted light caused by the displaying of the image from being directed onto the film.

Abstract: An image processing system operates on first and second image data (V and Bg) to produce data defining a combined image. The first image data (V) represents a keyed image comprising a first object (F) keyed over a portion of a first background (B) in accordance with keying data (K). The second image data (Bg) represents a background. The system is arranged so that the second image data (Bg) is weighted by respective control data (.alpha.) related to said keying data (K) before being combined with the first image data (V). In another embodiment the first image data represents a second object independently keyed over the keyed image in accordance with second keying data and the control data is further related to the second keying data. In a further embodiment the first image data represents an image derived by cross fading between the first keyed image and a second keyed image.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for displaying an image clip comprising a plurality of image frames on an electronic monitor includes separating each image frame from the next image frame by an overscan period. In this way image frames captured at a first frame rate can be displayed at the first frame rate on a monitor arranged normally to display images at a second frame rate, different to the first frame rate. In practice, the overscan period is created by adjusting driving circuitry for the monitor to increase the number of lines of data output to the monitor during a frame or field period whilst maintaining the line rate constant.

Abstract: An electronic graphic system for use in the painting of an image comprises a control store which stores control data representing a distribution of interpolation coefficients. The control data is created in a drawing process in which existing control data in the store is compared with new control data and is replaced with the new data when the new data has a value higher than that of the existing data. A combiner, in response to the stored control data, combines initial image data from an framestore with user selected color data from a store for display on a monitor. Also, the combiner can be reconfigured such that the combined data is written to the framestore replacing the initial image data therin. The system thus separates drawing operations from image modification operations, thereby providing a flexible means by which a simple binary line drawing algorithm can be used to paint into a color image.

Abstract: A system in which a characteristic of individual picture points is provided to an accuracy of m binary bits but conveyed by n bits, where n is less than m. The value of a lower order bit of the n bit signal is switched to cause said binary value to represent, for any one picture point, either a value above or a value below the original value. The new values are distributed without order among the picture points with a probability dependent upon the value of the (m-n) lowest order bits of the desired value.

Abstract: A video processing system comprises a processing unit, a VDU, and a look-up table. A user defined profile is displayable on the VDU and can be adjusted interactively by way of a stylus and touch tablet. Data representing the profile is stored in the look-up table. An input video clip is stored in digital form in a disc store and output video clip frames are generated in accordance with the user defined profile data. The system can be used for example to stretch or compress a video clip in time.

Abstract: A data processing system having a plurality of processing units (C1, C2), a plurality of memory units (M1, M2) and a communication system providing communication between the processing units and the memory units. The processing units each have a plurality of register sets (R1, R2) allowing them to run a plurality of processes. When a process requires data from memory, which it receives over the communication system, its respective processing unit processes another of its processes until that requires data. Data is transmitted over the communication system, which may be configured as a grid, in the form of packets. The grid is configured from routing devices which include first-in-first-out devices for the buffering of packets. The system facilitates the construction of circuits integrated onto a singel wafter of semiconducting material.