Abstract: Systems and methods of rendering a motion image. A television signal is modified through a sine wave motion judder component to introduce intentional motion judder which can replicate the appearance of cinematic projection. To present 24 frames per second film via a 60 Hz television system with the “look” of a 72 Hz cinematic projector, a judder oscillator is set to generate a 24 Hz sinewave having a peak amplitude equal to 38.5% of the time difference between 24 Hz frames. The motion-judder component may periodically reverse the apparent direction of motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for interpolation of images, and in a particular example to de-interlacing of video signals using spatial interpolation. The present invention discloses a method for measuring the slope of a picture portion in which picture gradients are calculated from said selected pixel values and the slope measurement being derived from said gradient values. The invention also discloses a method of spatial interpolation of an array of pixel values, in which interpolated values are dependent upon the measurement of the slope associated with said array. Non-integer slopes can easily be accommodated with the method of the invention.

Abstract: This invention concerns the interpolation of new intermediate images within an existing set of related images, for example views of a scene captured at different times, such as a sequence of film frames or video fields, or views of a scene captured from different camera positions, either simultaneously or in a time sequence. Motion vectors established for pixels or regions in at least one existing image are used to shift those pixels or regions to the output position of the new image. The shifted pixels or regions are combined in dependence on a probability of accuracy measure for the respective motion vector. The probability of accuracy measure may be formed from displaced-field difference measurements. The occlusion of objects is determined and used in forming the probability of accuracy measure.

Abstract: A method of composite decoding in which the input signal is converted into the frequency domain, and the symmetry of frequency components with respect to the subcarrier frequency is compared. The comparison is varied in dependence upon the frequency being processed. In this way, the separation can be adapted to suit known characteristics of different portions on the input spectrum. This is particularly useful for processing NTSC signals. The allocation of a particular component to chrominance may be biased in dependence upon a measure of the luminance information of the composite signal at a corresponding spatial frequency.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for image analysis for picture loss detection in fields or frames in video or film content makes use of different correlation characteristics of picture images and non-picture images to detect picture loss. A measure of self correlation of a plurality of image data samples, and a measure of the correlation of the plurality of image data samples with a mean value are determined, and a positive detection of picture loss is based on a comparison between the two correlation measures.

Abstract: A multimode system for receiving data in a retail environment includes: a secure input module for receiving high security input and low security input from a customer, the high security input to be communicated by the secure input module in cipher text, and the low security input to be communicated by the secure input module in plaintext. The multimode system is adapted to operate in a high security mode and a low security mode. The multimode system is adapted to enter the low security mode upon detection by the multimode system of a security breach condition. In the high security mode, the secure input module accepts low security input and high security input. In the low security mode, the secure input module accepts the low security input and does not accept the high security input.

Abstract: A method for repairing scratch impairments in which brightness values for a set of points within a narrow region of the impaired input image that is aligned with an expected scratch direction are modified in a scratch repair process; and the scratch repair process is controlled in dependence upon the relationship between the impaired brightness values and corresponding modified brightness values.

Abstract: When mixing cutting between video cameras viewing a common scene from different viewpoints, geometric transforms that vary from image to image are applied to one or both camera outputs so as to create an apparent point of view that moves along on a path joining the viewpoints of the cameras.

Abstract: A method of identifying the left-eye and the right-eye images of a stereoscopic pair, comprising the steps of comparing the images to locate an occluded region visible in only one of the images; detecting image edges; and identifying a right-eye image where image edges are aligned with a left hand edge of an occluded region and identifying a left-eye image where more image edges are aligned with a right hand edge of an occluded region.

Abstract: A method of image segmentation using graph-theory techniques, in which pixels of an image are represented by the vertices of a graph. A minimum spanning tree is generated and edges of the tree are successively removed according to a morphological property to leave a spanning forest, trees of which correspond to segments of the image. Selection of edges for removal may depend on an energy function of a tree and on the energy function of trees created by removal of that edge.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for a method and system for operating a hybrid card reader that is operable to read magnetic stripe cards and that, upon the receipt of one or more signals, becomes operable to read integrated circuit cards. The hybrid card reader receives one or more signals from one or more remote devices. Such signals may be transmitted wirelessly or over one or more communication lines. When the one or more signals reach the hybrid card reader, they are used to enable a latching mechanism and an integrated circuit card reading function. This permits an integrated circuit card that is inserted into the hybrid card reader to be latched into place so that the data on the card can be read by the integrated circuit card reading function.

Abstract: A video noise reducer divides a signal into spatial frequency bands and derives both recursively and non-recursively filtered signals for each band. Both signals are processed non-linearly. These signals are combined in ways that vary between the bands to provide a noise signal and a detail signal. A clean video signal with all noise removed is used in the recursive loop. The output signal includes detail enhancement and may have a subjectively pleasant amount of noise added back.

Abstract: First image data at a lower sampling frequency is up-sampled in a sampling ratio N:M to a higher sampling frequency in an up-sampling filter; and, second image data at the said higher sampling frequency is down-sampled in a sampling ratio M:N to the said lower sampling frequency in a down-sampling filter where the combination of the up-sampling filter and the down-sampling filter is substantially transparent and every filtered sample is formed from a weighted sum of at least two input samples.

Abstract: A method of composite decoding in which the input signal is converted into the frequency domain, and the symmetry of frequency components with respect to the subcarrier frequency is compared. The comparison is varied in dependence upon the frequency being processed. In this way, the separation can be adapted to suit known characteristics of different portions on the input spectrum. This is particularly useful for processing NTSC signals. The allocation of a particular component to chrominance may be biased in dependence upon a measure of the luminance information of the composite signal at a corresponding spatial frequency.

Abstract: A method of composite decoding in which the input signal is converted into the frequency domain, and the symmetry of frequency components with respect to the subcarrier frequency is compared. The comparison is varied in dependence upon the frequency being processed. In this way, the separation can be adapted to suit known characteristics of different portions on the input spectrum. This is particularly useful for processing NTSC signals. The allocation of a particular component to chrominance may be biased in dependence upon a measure of the luminance information of the composite signal at a corresponding spatial frequency.

Abstract: Video data is segmented by representing the pixel location, RGB values and other features such as motion vectors, as points in a multidimensional segmentation space. Initialized segments are represented as locations in the segmentation space and segment membership then determined by the distance in segmentation space from the data point representing the pixel to the location of the segment. The distance measure takes into consideration the covariance of the data, for the segment or for the picture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for decimating or sub-sampling image data which uses fixed delay intervals to accumulate a weighted sum of input samples. The accumulated sum is output at selected intervals, the interval determining the degree of decimation. The apparatus can take the form of a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) decimation filter. Decimation can be horizontal, vertical or temporal, and the decimation factor can be made non-integral.

Abstract: Systems and methods of rendering a motion image. A television signal is modified through a sine wave motion judder component to introduce intentional motion judder which can replicate the appearance of cinematic projection. To present 24 frames per second film via a 60 Hz television system with the “look” of a 72 Hz cinematic projector, a judder oscillator is set to generate a 24 Hz sinewave having a peak amplitude equal to 38.5% of the time difference between 24 Hz frames. The motion-judder component may periodically reverse the apparent direction of motion.

Abstract: This invention concerns a system for the distribution of films by electronic means, and in particular, for ensuring a director's intended rendition of the images is attained in differing viewing conditions and technologies. Thus master data enabling the luminance and chromaticity of every part of every frame as previously displayed in a first display environment to be determined may be modified to achieve a similar subjective effect in a second display environment, the modification depending for example on data characterizing the said second display environment.

Abstract: This invention concerns the interpolation of new intermediate images within an existing set of related images, for example views of a scene captured at different times, such as a sequence of film frames or video fields, or views of a scene captured from different camera positions, either simultaneously or in a time sequence. Motion vectors established for pixels or regions in at least one existing image are used to shift those pixels or regions to the output position of the new image. The shifted pixels or regions are combined in dependence on a probability of accuracy measure for the respective motion vector. The probability of accuracy measure may be formed from displaced-field difference measurements. The occlusion of objects is determined and used in forming the probability of accuracy measure.