Abstract: Low-latency interactive multiviewer interfaces and methods for video broadcast equipment are disclosed. A video switcher includes an integrated multiviewer to generate a multiviewer interface. Video signals are received from video sources and a user interface graphic is received from an external source such as an external computer. The received video signals are routed in a video path of the video switcher to be presented in a multiviewer interface on a display, and the received interface graphic is overlaid on the received video signals for presentation in the multiviewer interface. Realtime elements associated with frames of the video signals may also be generated within the video switcher and combined with the video signals and the externally generated interface graphic in the multiviewer interface. The video signals could include video signals from external video sources, outputs of internal processing elements within the video switcher, and/or intermediary video signals within the video switcher.

Abstract: Video/audio production processing control synchronization apparatus and methods are provided. Processing control commands that are provided to a first installation of production processing equipment for controlling production processing of edit units of first production signals are echoed to another installation, or possibly multiple other installations, of production processing equipment. Timing information associated with the edit units is also provided to the other installation(s), to enable production processing of delayed production signals by the other installation(s) to be synchronized with the production processing by the first installation of production processing equipment. Multiple production processing equipment installations can be controlled and synchronized from a single control interface.

Abstract: Video/audio production processing control synchronization apparatus and methods are provided. Processing control commands that are provided to a first installation of production processing equipment for controlling production processing of edit units of first production signals are echoed to another installation, or possibly multiple other installations, of production processing equipment. Timing information associated with the edit units is also provided to the other installation(s), to enable production processing of delayed production signals by the other installation(s) to be synchronized with the production processing by the first installation of production processing equipment. Multiple production processing equipment installations can be controlled and synchronized from a single control interface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electronic hardware resource management in video processing are provided. A hybrid filter is controllable to apply either Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filtering or Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filtering for vertical filtering of a video image during a resizing process. A scale factor by which the video image is to be resized in the resizing process is determined, and the hybrid filter is controlled to apply FIR filtering for the vertical filtering where the determined scale factor satisfies a first condition relative to a threshold value ST or to apply IIR filtering for the vertical filtering where the determined scale factor satisfies a second condition relative to the threshold value ST. The first and second conditions are different and exclusive, such that only one type of filtering is applied. This hybrid filtering approach uses each type of filtering to avoid defects of the other.

Abstract: Intelligent resource state memory recall techniques, and associated apparatus and methods, are disclosed. States of one or more video switcher resources in a resource state memory may be recalled to the same or different resources, depending on resource availability at the time of memory recall. A memory recall need not affect an on air signal. The memory may be recalled to recreate a desired program output, as defined in the memory, on a preview output of the video switcher, which leaves a current program output of the video switcher undisturbed when the memory is recalled.

Abstract: An audio and video production system and method, including a video production control switcher; and one or more computers connected through a network and configured for controlling the video production control switcher. The system is further configured for at least one of defining looks, including shot templates, that correspond to particular settings on the production control switcher or settings of parts of the production control switcher; defining sequences of the looks or assigning individual looks to control elements on a computer of the computers; transmitting the looks across the network; and translating of a single look into one or more standard editor commands, and transmitting the commands to the production control switcher.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electronic hardware resource management in video processing are provided. A hybrid filter is controllable to apply either Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filtering or Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filtering for vertical filtering of a video image during a resizing process. A scale factor by which the video image is to be resized in the resizing process is determined, and the hybrid filter is controlled to apply FIR filtering for the vertical filtering where the determined scale factor satisfies a first condition relative to a threshold value ST or to apply IIR filtering for the vertical filtering where the determined scale factor satisfies a second condition relative to the threshold value ST. The first and second conditions are different and exclusive, such that only one type of filtering is applied. This hybrid filtering approach uses each type of filtering to avoid defects of the other.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamic correction of data for non-uniformity are disclosed. Feature data are extracted from input video data that include a subject shot against a backing area in a solid color. The feature data may describe characteristics of non-uniformity in input video data. A curve is generated based on the extracted feature data, and correction factors are formed based on the generated curve. At least one of the input video data and alpha data associated with the input video data is corrected based on the correction factors.

Abstract: Intelligent resource state memory recall techniques, and associated apparatus and methods, are disclosed. States of one or more video switcher resources in a resource state memory may be recalled to the same or different resources, depending on resource availability at the time of memory recall. A memory recall need not affect an on air signal. The memory may be recalled to recreate a desired program output, as defined in the memory, on a preview output of the video switcher, which leaves a current program output of the video switcher undisturbed when the memory is recalled.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for video production, including adding a mixer to an Auxiliary Bus of a Video Production Switcher; adding one or more keyers to the Auxiliary Bus of the Video Production Switcher; and adding special effects to the Auxiliary Bus.

Abstract: Various improvements for video production switchers are disclosed. In a user input module, a Link button is operable to link key functions with a user controllable input device. A multicolor lighting arrangement may be provided, and possibly calibrated, for illuminating each button of a switcher with a controllable color and/or intensity. In an improved Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) scheme, a PWM output is dependent on a pseudo-random number and a threshold. A display on a keyer module may be used to provide indications of a key source and type currently associated with the keyer module. A switcher menu system may be enhanced by providing a first display for accessing a full menu system, and a second display for accessing at least a portion of the full menu system. In a modular switcher panel, a panel structure carries button modules, at least one of which is interchangeable without displacing other button modules.

Abstract: A video production switcher converts an aspect ratio through the use of an integrated aspect ratio converter. Additionally, by having both converted and native format signals input to a switcher processor, the effective number of inputs can be doubled.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for video transformation, including generating arbitrary, non-linear video effects; generating the video effects in real-time or near real-time; providing software algorithms used to generate video transformations corresponding to the video effects; employing a microprocessor to generate an address map corresponding to the video effects; employing an interpolator to read the address map in real-time or near real-time; and manipulating via the interpolator video pixel data in real-time or near real-time to generate a desired output video image corresponding to one of the video effects.

Abstract: An audio and video production system and method, including a video production control switcher; and one or more computers connected through a network and configured for controlling the video production control switcher. The system is further configured for at least one of defining looks, including shot templates, that correspond to particular settings on the production control switcher or settings of parts of the production control switcher; defining sequences of the looks or assigning individual looks to control elements on a computer of the computers; transmitting the looks across the network; and translating of a single look into one or more standard editor commands, and transmitting the commands to the production control switcher.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for video production, including adding a mixer to an Auxiliary Bus of a Video Production Switcher; adding one or more keyers to the Auxiliary Bus of the Video Production Switcher; and adding special effects to the Auxiliary Bus.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for generating a clean clipping signal ? for a chromakey function or a video composition, including identifying background colors formed by a solid color background, shadows cast by still and moving subjects, a non-uniform reflection caused by spot lighting and non-flat backdrop or flaw wall, and translucent foreground objects, with a 3D volume in a 3D color space; determining parameters defining same by using a dirty alpha ?; generating a clean clipping signal ?shd background colors, and a clean clipping signal ?tsl for translucency colors; identifying foreground colors formed by the still and moving subjects with a 3D volume in a 3D color space; classifying colors into transition colors; and generating an area map for mapping each pixel into background, shadow, translucent, foreground, and transition areas.

Abstract: A wide-band high-frequency analog amplifier is provided in the signal path between an input cable connector and an integrated-circuit based cable equalizer. The amplifier is preferably a common base transistor amplifier. The amplifier serves multiple purposes, including providing additional gain to compensate for losses incurred in the equalizer, increasing return loss on the input line, and allowing different gain levels in the input stage and operating stages of the equalizer.

Abstract: Multi-keying circuitry for inserting a plurality of keys into a background television signal where at least the keying signal processing circuitry is time shared by control circuitry to effect the key insertions. The control circuitry includes dual port rams and RAM-DAC's to facilitate the time share operation. Circuitry for effecting transitions between the keys either individually or in groups is disclosed as is circuitry for previewing the keys or the transitions thereto either individually or in groups.

Abstract: Improved video transition circuitry including circuitry for previewing transitions from an on-air event signal to a next event signal. The circuitry includes a program transition switch responsive to the on-air event and next event signals for outputting the on-air event signal; a preview transition switch respnsive to the on-air event and next event signals for outputting the next event signal; transition control circuitry for either (a) controlling the program transition switch to effect a predetermined transition at the output of the program transition switch from the on-air event signal to the next event signal or (b) controlling the preview transition switch to effect a preview of the predetermined transition at the output of the preview transition switch where the predetermined transition may be, for example, a dissolve, a wipe or a bordered wipe.