Abstract: A processing system and method which produces and manipulates images of a three dimensional object. Patches of video signals (called cameos) representing different parallel planes of an object are stored in a frame store from which each cameo can be accessed individually and manipulated as desired. When the effect of a change in orientation or position of the object is required in the output image each cameo is accessed and manipulated in the same manner and combined using key and priority signals. The manipulation is achieved by writing incoming video signals into addresses in a store determined by the manipulation required and provided as address maps. The medical embodiment replaces the cameos with frames of signals representing tomographic sections of a patient and uses a LUT to provide a window for certain ranges of signals.

Abstract: Video signals from radiography equipment (14) are converted to digital form and transferred via a buffer store, (2) to a parallel transfer disc store (3) in real time. These signals can then be read, out again in real time, to a video processor (6) and frame store (8) to provide image enhancement. The enhanced image can then be converted to analog form and displayed on display means (13). The parallel transfer mode of operation of the disc store (3) enables the video signals to be stored in real time. A computer (7) provides control signals to the system.