Specified Details Of Signal Combining Patents (Class 348/598)
  • Patent number: 7034891
    Abstract: An interfacing method and system for a stream source apparatus and a display device, which includes a stream source apparatus receiving analog/digital signals from external analog/digital equipments to generate a plurality of transmission packet streams corresponding to the analog/digital signals, the stream source apparatus synthesizing a plurality of the transmission packet streams into a single synthesized transmission packet stream to transmit the synthesized transmission packet stream by wireless, a display apparatus receiving the synthesized transmission packet stream transmitted from the stream source apparatus, the display apparatus separating the synthesized transmission packet stream into a transmission packet stream corresponding to a main screen and a transmission packet stream corresponding to a sub-screen, the display apparatus decoding the transmission packet streams corresponding to the main screen and the sub-screen respectively to generate digital video/audio signals to display on a display
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chul Yong Joung, Yong Ho Cho, Nam Seok Cho
  • Patent number: 7030934
    Abstract: A video system and method for combining multiple video signals on a single display is provided. The video system includes a video processor to process a second video signal and generate a processed video signal. The processed video signal has the same resolution and scan rates as a first video signal. A multiplexer is used to selectively display either the processed video signal or the first video signal on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Huaya Microelectronics, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shing-Jong Shy, Biao Zhang
  • Patent number: 7015978
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for real-time insertion of indicia (e.g., an advertisement) into a live (or taped) broadcast. Typically, the invention allow insertion with occlusion onto surfaces such as tennis courts, the wall behind home plate on a baseball field, the grass or turf on a soccer or football stadium, and the like. The occlusion processing described herein can handle multiple colors in the background image during the insertion of the indicia into a video image. The invention can thus adapt to changing light conditions in the video image. The process includes obtaining a video image from a camera. The video image is typically digitized. Next, the pixels within the video image are sampled. A plurality of background colors are then identified for the sampled pixels. An opacity value is then assigned to each pixel in the indicia based on whether the color of a positionally corresponding pixel in the video image is the same color as one of the plurality of background colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Princeton Video Image, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Jeffers, Gregory House, Kevin Harney
  • Patent number: 7006155
    Abstract: A system for forming composite video images from one or more foreground images and one or more background images. In one embodiment, s sum of a suppressed foreground image signal with weight ?, with one or more selected foreground colors suppressed, and a background image signal with weight 1??? (0????1) is formed, where a and ?? may vary from pixel to pixel and with time. In another embodiment, a shadow from a selected foreground image is impressed on selected pixels of a background image. In another embodiment, foreground suppression and shadowing are combined, optionally by retrofitting, using an existing ?-mixer or a newly constructed ?-mixer. Provision of a chroma key map allows a foreground image shadow to be prescribed pixel by pixel, including a transition region in which the shadowed image slowly disappears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinay Agarwala, Clement Tse
  • Patent number: 6987520
    Abstract: An example-based filling system identifies appropriate filling material to replace a destination region in an image and fills the destination region using this material, thereby alleviating or minimizing the amount of manual editing required to fill a destination region in image. Tiles of image data are borrowed from the proximity of the destination region or some other source to generate new image data to fill in the region. Destination regions may be designated by user input (e.g., selection of an image region by a user) or by other means (e.g., specification of a color or feature to be replaced). In addition, the order in which the destination region is filled by example tiles may be configured to emphasize the continuity of linear structures and composite textures using a type of isophote-driven image-sampling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Criminisi, Patrick Perez, Kentaro Toyama, Michel Gangnet, Andrew Blake
  • Patent number: 6985188
    Abstract: A digital video decoding system receives packetized video data representing programs conveyed on a plurality of video channels. The system includes a plurality of buffers for storing encoded video data representing images of video programs conveyed on a corresponding plurality of video channels. An individual buffer, corresponding to an individual video channel, stores sufficient encoded video data to prevent an underflow condition following switching to decode a program conveyed on the individual video channel. A processor initiates switching to decode a program conveyed on a selected one of the plurality of video channels in response to a user channel selection input. A decoder decodes encoded video data received from one of the plurality of buffers corresponding to the program conveyed on the selected video channel as determined by switching initiated by the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Robert Norman Hurst, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6956618
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which displays an image corresponding to a synchronizing frequency change-image signal, which is obtained by changing a frequency of a synchronizing signal of an image signal, and an other image corresponding to an other image signal on a same display screen. The apparatus comprises a monitoring device and a synchronizing control device. The monitoring device monitors temporal relationship between the synchronizing signal of the synchronizing frequency change-image signal and a synchronizing signal of the other image signal. The synchronizing control device performs frequency regulation for the synchronizing frequency change-image signal based on the monitoring results from the monitoring device so as to prevent one of the synchronizing frequency change-image signal and the other image signal from passing the other thereof on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Takatori
  • Patent number: 6917387
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for time-correct combination of two data streams, particularly video data streams. In this case, a sync signal of the first video data stream is a horizontal sync signal. In this case, methods and apparatus are provided to combine the two video data streams in a pixel-precise manner, even though time base error, i.e. discontinuities occur in the second video data stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Matthias Peters
  • Patent number: 6859936
    Abstract: A method and system for incorporating thematic content from a particular television program into product or service advertisements uses program-advancing elements of a television program in an advertisement for a sponsor of the program in order to entice viewers to watch the advertisements. Increased viewership of advertisements can result in increased revenue generated from advertisements that may be realized by television programs, television producers, networks, and advertisers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Denizen LLC
    Inventors: John L. Makowski, Jr., Stephen C. Intlekofer
  • Patent number: 6842539
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modifying data in an encoded data signal 125 corresponding to successive pictures divided into sub-pictures, for providing an output modified data signal 126. In particular, this invention can be used for the insertion of an additional data signal 127 into a compressed video signal 125. The proposed schemes according to the invention are based on a transcoder arrangement including at least partial decoding means and partial re-encoding means. This method leads to a cost-effective solution compared to the prior art comprising a minimum number of functional sub-steps, in particular including a unique motion compensation sub-step 205, taking advantage of simplifications and combinations between different sub-steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Yann Le Maguet
  • Patent number: 6822694
    Abstract: According to the signal processing apparatus of the present invention, in a text signal processing circuit, predetermined signal processes are executed to a luminance signal Y and color difference signals U and V in which a ratio of sampling clocks is equal to (4:4:4) and resultant signals are supplied to a mixing circuit. In a video signal processing circuit, predetermined signal processes are executed to the signals Y, U, and V in which a ratio of sampling clocks is equal to (4:1:1) or (4:2:2). The signal Y is supplied to the mixing circuit through a delay adjusting circuit and the high frequency components are removed from the signals U and V by a band limiting filter and, after that, the resultant signals are supplied to the mixing circuit. The signal mixed by the mixing circuit is supplied to a LPF through a D/A converter. In the LPF, the signal is demodulated by the band limiting filter according to (4:4:4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichiro Miyazaki, Hiroyuki Kojima, Akira Shirahama, Hiroshi Sugaya
  • Publication number: 20040212730
    Abstract: A video and graphics system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction during decoding. The video and graphics system includes a video decoder for decoding MPEG-2 video data. The video images may not be downscaled in the horizontal direction when no bi-directionally predicted pictures are used. The video and graphics system may output an HDTV video while converting the HDTV video and providing as another output having an SDTV format or another HDTV format. The output having an SDTV format may be recorded using a video cassette recorder (VCR) while the HDTV video is being displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander G. MacInnis, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Xiaodong Xie, Vivian Hsiun
  • Patent number: 6803968
    Abstract: An image synthesizing system is provided that can prevent image deterioration resulting from synthesis applied to a predictive image to be used for the next frame. The image synthesizing system decodes and synthesizes a main frame and a sub-image compressed in different modes. The image synthesizing system includes a main image frame buffer 122, an alpha blending section 133, and an image synthesis and display 140. The main image frame buffer 122 stores a main image to be referred to in the next frame decoding process. The alpha blending section 133 alpha-blends a main image from the main image frame buffer with a decoded sub-image to produce a translucent composite image. The image synthesis and display 140 superimposes the translucent composite image on the main image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kohji Numata
  • Patent number: 6778224
    Abstract: A method for placing overlay elements in images of a digital video so that desirable viewing areas of the images are not occluded by the overlay element, the method includes extracting frames from the video, each of the frames defining an image which may have one or more desirable viewing areas. For each frame, an area is selected in the image for placing an overlay element and the percentage the overlay element overlaps the desirable viewing areas is determined for the selected area. The overlay element is placed in the selected area if the percentage is below a maximum allowed predetermined percentage of overlapping. If it is not, one or more other areas in the image are selected and/or the size, shape, aspect ratio of the overlay element is changed until a position and/or size, shape, aspect ratio is found which minimizes occlusion of the desirable viewing areas in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Serhan Dagtas, Mohamed Abdel-Mottaleb
  • Patent number: 6753929
    Abstract: Methods and systems for separating a picture part of interest from an arbitrary background in real time videos are presented. The background may be a moving or still frame. The picture part of interest and background frames may be in or out of focus. One separation approach employs the difference between luminance and chrominance values of the input and background frames where changes in luminance from frame to frame are compensated for. In another approach, picture part of interest separation is based solely on spatial resolution differences between the background and the picture part of interest frames. The present invention also teaches a method and system for parameter matching of the picture part of interest and the basic picture into which the picture part of interest is embedded. The invention further teaches a method and system for embedding a separated picture part of interest into a basic picture containing text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: VLS Com Ltd.
    Inventors: Semion M. Sheraizin, Vitaly S. Sheraizin
  • Patent number: 6724434
    Abstract: The invention relates to the insetting of a moving picture in a moving main picture when the picture signals are in an encoded digital format. The main idea is that the picture signals are combined prior to decoding. The frames of the picture to be inset are scaled down by reducing the number of macro blocks in them in such a manner that the picture whole is retained. The macro blocks of a certain area of the main picture are replaced by the macro blocks of the reduced picture and the combined video signal is decoded. The video signals (ES1, ES2) to be combined may be picked up from different sources or extracted from a transport stream where they are in packets. The system according to the invention requires only a single decoder (210), which considerably reduces the amount of computation required by the combination of the pictures. The advantage is emphasized if there are several pictures to be combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Janne Aaltonen
  • Patent number: 6714256
    Abstract: A video signal processing system for processing a video data VIN and graphic data D&mgr;P includes a filter unit, which receives the video data VIN. The filter unit filters the video data VIN to convert the video data VIN into video pictures formated with a different number of columns and/or lines, and provides a filtered video signal indicative thereof. The filter unit buffers individual pixels and/or lines in a first memory device. A second memory device receives and stores the graphic data D&mgr;P and the filtered video signal and provides stored signals indicative thereof. A third memory device is connected to the second memory, and stores data received from the second memory device. A mixing unit receives and mixes the stored graphic data and the stored filtered video data to provide a video output signal VOUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Broghammer, Karl Buehler, Guenther Huber, Michael Maier, Gerd Mauthe, Thomas Sagcob, Juergen Vogel
  • Patent number: 6707505
    Abstract: A single chip system including a first input channel for receiving digital video input data, a second channel for receiving computer graphics data, means for synchronizing the two channels to one another utilizing timing signals which may be selected to provide the most accurate timing available, means for changing the rate of presentation of the computer graphics signals to match the rate of presentation of the video signals, means for adjusting the format in which the computer graphics signals are presented to the same format as the format in which the video signals are presented, and means for selectively blending the computer graphics and video signals furnished as video input data without modification for presentation on a single output display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: TVIA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jhi-Chung Kuo, John Francis McNally, Jeff Jang-Fang Suen, Henry Choy, Paul Cheng, Lin Liang
  • Patent number: 6707506
    Abstract: In a video mixer (1) in which a video component of the video signal to be mixed and a mixing type are preselectable for performing a mixing operation on said video signal applied to the mixer (1), an additional external function on the video mixer can be controlled in that an additional external function is selectable at the video mixer (1), this function being selectable from predetermined additional external functions, and in that the video mixer (1) generates a control signal during a mixing operation for controlling a selected external function, this control signal changing from a first extreme value to a second extreme value in the course of the mixing operation and serving for controlling the selected external function, an initial value of a variable of the external function being assigned to the first extreme value of the control signal and a final value of the variable of the external function being assigned to the second extreme value of the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Rolf Grzibek
  • Patent number: 6707507
    Abstract: An OSD apparatus for displaying an image using first and second video input signals and a blend coefficient value comprises a region search device for generating an output signal, wherein the output signal is responsive to Human Visual System (HVS) characteristic elements and the first and second video input signals, and an &agr; controller responsive to the blend coefficient value and the output signal from the region search device. Preferably, contrasts of the first and second video input signals are used as one of the HVS characteristic elements. In particular, the contrasts of the first and second video input signal are obtained by selectively considering contrast of at least one of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal directions. Alternatively, the contrast is obtained by using a Y component when the first and second video input images are YUV images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: In Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 6667774
    Abstract: Changes in a current image frame from variations in room light level, and automatic camera adjustments, are determined and incorporated into a clear (reference) frame, thereby resulting in a zero difference in the background region when the clear frame and a current frame are subtracted. Any deviation from zero defines the beginning edge of a transition from background to subject. The location of the outer edge of a transition area is further refined by subtracting derivatives of the RGB signals in each frame, and by the use of a fourth color channel when available. The difference of derivitives (dcu-dcl) identifies the subject to background transition area, whose edges define the inner and outer boundary lines. Shadow areas on the backing are retained and may be transferred to the inserted background scene. Small areas on the backing having the same color and luminance as the subject are prevented from printing through the subject by a second “derivative” alpha channel for the small areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: iMatte, Inc.
    Inventors: Arie Berman, Paul Vlahos, Arpag Dadourian
  • Publication number: 20030169373
    Abstract: Creating a transition between a first sequence of video frames and a second sequence of video frames. The method includes storing a table of values that express a non-linear response to certain levels of light, generating a transition between the sequences, and adjusting the intensity at which material of the first sequence is displayed relative to the intensity at which material of the second sequence is displayed within the transition, based on the values stored in the step of storing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Eric C. Peters, Robert A. Gonsalves
  • Patent number: 6606127
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing multiple signals is provided. The method and apparatus utilize the timing information of one of the multiple signals as a reference clock for synchronizing multiple signals. The method and apparatus utilize selectively gating the clocks of the other signal processing chains in order to allow control by the reference clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Enseo, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Fang, Raymond S. Horton
  • Publication number: 20030126622
    Abstract: A process and system for enhanced storage of trajectories reduces storage requirements over conventional methods and systems. A video content analysis module automatically identifies objects in a video frame, and determines the (xi,yi) coordinates of each object i. The reference coordinates for each for object i, (xrefi,yrefi) are set to (xi,yi) when the object is first identified. For subsequent frames, if the new coordinates (xnewi,ynewi) are less than a given distance from the reference coordinates, that is if ∥(xnewi,ynewi)−(xref1,yrefi)∥2<&egr;, then the current coordinates are ignored. However, if the object moves more than the distance &egr;, the current coordinates (xnewi,ynewi) are stored in the object's trajectory list, and we set the reference coordinates (xref1,yrefi) to the object's current position. This process is repeated for all subsequent video frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Robert A. Cohen, Tomas Brodsky
  • Patent number: 6587155
    Abstract: A fade circuit adjusts the luma as well as one or more chroma components of a main video so that the fade ins and fade outs of the main video do not change the color of an on-screen display image, such as the volume bar. In one embodiment, luma component (Y) is adjusted by subtracting a fade factor from the luma component to form a faded luma component. At the same time, one or more chroma components (Cb and Cr) are scaled by (1) subtracting a predetermined value from the chroma component to form a resultant, (2) multiplying the resultant with a scale factor to form a product, and (3) adding the predetermined value to the product to form a faded chroma component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: LSI Logic Corporation
    Inventor: Ning Xue
  • Patent number: 6556251
    Abstract: An analog television is digitally enabled so that both analog video received in an analog broadcast signal and data received in data packets of a digital broadcast signal can be displayed on the same display. The analog television is digitally enabled by including digital television tuning and demodulation equipment either in the cabinet of the analog television or in a set top box coupled to the analog television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tom Lee Sorensen
  • Patent number: 6545724
    Abstract: Text and graphics elements may be alpha blended in a way to reduce flicker when the text or graphics are display by a processor-based television receiver. The alpha values are used to intelligently smooth pixels adjacent the element to create television text and graphics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Paul S. Gryskiewicz
  • Patent number: 6532043
    Abstract: A media pipeline with two channels processes sequences of digital still images. A blender is provided so as to enable simple effects on these two streams of video data such as dissolves, wipes and chroma keys. Complex arbitrary three-dimensional effects and other effects may also be provided using an external interface. Thus, a system for processing sequences of digital still images to provide real-time digital video effects includes first and second channels for communicating first and second sequences of digital still images at a rate for simulating video. A controller directs still images to one of the first and second channels. A blender, having a first input connected to the first channel, a second input connected to the second channel, and an output, provides a combination of the first and second sequences of digital still images at a rate for simulating video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Kurtze, Raymond D. Cacciatore, Peter Zawojski, Eric C. Peters, John Walsh, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030043298
    Abstract: An image composition apparatus includes a composition processing unit comprising a composition position determination unit for receiving a shape signal and an image signal which are outputted from an image decoding unit, and determining a composition position of an object as a foreground image; a shape boundary determination unit for determining the shape and boundary of the object; an arbitrary-shaped frame generation unit for generating an outline or frame of the object on the basis of information relating to the shape and boundary of the object; and a pixel composition unit for compositing a target pixel (pixel to be processed) of the object or an arbitrary-shaped frame pixel that is generated by the arbitrary-shaped frame generation unit 4c, with the corresponding pixel in the background image. Therefore, a composite image, in which an outline or an arbitrary-shaped shape is added to an arbitrary-shaped object, can be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ohtsuki, Tomonori Yonezawa, Satoshi Kajita, Ryuji Fuchikami
  • Patent number: 6525780
    Abstract: A television system is provided wherein a target region in successive video images is replaced by a matching pattern adapted to be inserted into the target region, using a virtual insertion unit located downstream of the originating site. The system includes television cameras for, when active, producing a sequence of video images of a scene, and a switcher or multiplexer for switching between camera images. A broadcast image processor located with the multiplexer in an outside broadcast van receives the video images and adds layers of graphics and special effects to the video images to produce a broadcast feed. The virtual insertion unit, which is located off-site from the van, receives the broadcast feed and modifies the video images of the broadcast feed by replacing the target region of these images with a replacement pattern adapted to be inserted into the target region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Symah Vision, SA
    Inventors: Pierre Bruno, Gerard Guy Medioni, Jean Jacques Grimaud
  • Patent number: 6486922
    Abstract: The image decoding apparatus includes first clock reproducing means 20 for reproducing the first clock signal 21 from a time stamp signal 19 extracted from a digital transport stream 5, decoding means 8 for decoding a digital video stream 7 and outputting the first digital video signal 9 synchronizing with the first clock signal 21 and having the first frame frequency, graphic generating means 10, overlaying means 12 for overlaying the first digital video signal 9 and the graphic signal 11 and outputting the first overlaid digital video signal 15 synchronizing with the first clock signal 21, and digital-to-analog converting means 16 for converting the first overlaid digital video signal 15 into an analog signal 17, and an image without any missing frames or display disturbances can be provided even when the digital video signal and the graphic signal are displayed being overlaid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takafumi Ueno
  • Patent number: 6476874
    Abstract: It is intended to enable main image data from a video camera and background image data recorded on a recording medium to be chromakey-combined with each other naturally at a low cost. When a video switcher chromakey-combines main image data that is produced by imaging with a video camera with background image data that is reproduced from a magnetic tape by a VTR, the main image data is chromakey-combined with the background image data such that the VTR is caused to perform a reproducing operation on the magnetic tape based on time codes that are stored in a control device as one of a pair of information and the operations of the video camera and a video camera stage are controlled based on camera control information as the other of the pair of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Ito, Taku Kihara, Hitoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6469747
    Abstract: A video signal mixer with a parabolic signal mixing function, especially useful in scene-by-scene color correction systems and “blue screen” video masking applications. The mixer effects mixing two independent signal sources while smoothly controlling the rate of change during mixing. An input stage receives a first video signal and a second video signal. The mixing circuit mixes the first video signal with the second video signal based on a predetermined parabolic function. An aperture signal circuit in the mixer allows a degree of operator control over the parabolic function. An output stage provides a parabolized output signal. The output signal, which comprises the mixture of the first video signal and the second video signal, eliminates discontinuities in regions of the signal which would otherwise produce discontinuities in prior art types of video signal mixers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Da Vinco Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Devappa Rai, Joel D. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6452642
    Abstract: A method for the digital manipulation of a video image, in which an object is located and replaced by another object. To account for ambient lighting effects, a base set of appearance parameter values for the first object is determined, such as average values of hue, saturation and luminance. Selected regions of the object are analysed and in respect of each selected region the extent to which actual appearance parameter values deviate from the base set of apparatus parameter values is determined. The method includes storing data representation of the positions of the regions and the respective deviations from the base set of values. The first object is replaced by a second object, and the method then includes the step of applying to regions of the second object adjustments to appearance parameter values by reference to the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Pandora International Limited
    Inventor: Stephen Brett
  • Patent number: 6449018
    Abstract: A video processing apparatus includes a selection means (14) for selecting a video signal constituting a main screen and a video signal constituting a sub-screen, a first video processing means (16, 18) for processing the video signal for the main screen selected by the selector, a second video processing means (17, 19) for processing the video signal for the sub-screen selected by the selector, a synthesizing means (20, 21, 22) for setting a video signal obtained when the main screen and the sub-screen are synthesized in one screen by using the video signal processed by the first video processing means and the video signal processed by the second video processing means, and a controller (31) for, when the video signals of the main screen and the sub-screen selected by the selection means are the same video signals, performing control for setting a video signal obtained when the main screen and the sub-screen are synthesized in one screen by using only the video signal processed by the first video processing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6437831
    Abstract: A method of recalling effects between mix/effects banks of a video production switcher uses a Recall From function button on a destination mix/effects bank to copy a desired effect stored in an effects memory on another M/E bank into a working effects register of the destination mix/effects bank when the Recall function for the other M/E bank is then used. The effect from the storing M/E bank is copied into a working effects register on the destination M/E for execution while the working effects register on the storing M/E bank is not affected so that the effect stored in the working effects register of the destination M/E is not destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Grass Valley (U.S.) Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin D. Windrem
  • Patent number: 6433833
    Abstract: A system for generating a variety of solid signals and key signals. The system includes a multiple of solid generators, a multiple of key signal generators and a cross-point switch. Each of the solid generators includes a multiple of solid mixers, and each of the key signal generators includes a multiple of key signal mixers. The cross-point switch is arranged to connect any of the solid generators and key signal generators to any of the switch's main outputs, and to connect any of the solid generators to any of the key generators. The system provides for selection of preset delays to compensate for different signal routings. A timing control controls routing and delay selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Sony United Kingdom Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan Mark Greenwood, James Hendrie McIntyre, Andrew Garrett
  • Publication number: 20020047930
    Abstract: An image processing circuit includes a processor that receives a value of an original pixel of an original first video image and a value of an original pixel of an original second video image. The processor generates a first pixel-value component from the value of the original pixel of the first original video image, and generates a second pixel-value component from the value of the original pixel in the original second video image. From the first and second pixel-value components, the processor generates a value of a filler pixel, and combines the filler pixel and the original first video image to generate a resulting video image. One can use such an image processing circuit to generate a filler video field from an original video field and to merge the filler and original fields to generate a resulting video frame. Such an image processing circuit often uses less memory and detects inter-field motion more accurately than prior image processing circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Equator Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Qinggang Zhou
  • Patent number: 6373530
    Abstract: When logos or other imagery are to be added to compressed digital video bitstreams, certain constraints are applied to the encoder that generates the original compressed bitstream to enable a video logo processor (e.g., at a local broadcaster) to insert logo-inserted encoded data into the bitstream without placing substantial processing demands on the video logo processor. In one embodiment, areas where logos can be inserted are identified and the encoder is not allowed to use image data within those logo areas as reference data when performing motion-compensated inter-frame differencing for pixels outside of the logo areas. Preferably, the compressed data corresponding to the desired location for logo insertion are extracted from the compressed bitstream and replaced by logo-inserted encoded data. As a result, logos can be inserted into compressed digital video bitstreams without having to completely decode and re-encode the bitstreams, while maintaining the overall quality of the video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sarnoff Corporation
    Inventors: David Andrew Birks, Robert Norman Hurst, Jr., Ragnar Hlynur Jonsson
  • Patent number: 6362854
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for combining first and second video streams and a border color into a combined output video stream using a multiplexer and a video combiner. The multiplexer receives the first and second video streams as input and outputs a selected video stream in response to a control signal. The video combiner receives the border color at a first input and the selected video stream from the multiplexer at a second input and outputs a combined output based upon a key received at a key input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Media 100 Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Fierke, Marshall Richard Houskeeper, Kevin Hinchey
  • Patent number: 6357047
    Abstract: The system processes sequences of digital still images to provide real-time digital video effects, and includes first and second channels for communicating first and second sequences of digital still images at a rate for simulating video. A controller directs still images to one of the first and second channels. A blender, having a first input connected to the first channel, a second input connected to the second channel, and an output, provides a combination of the first and second sequences of digital still images at a rate for simulating video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kurtze, Ray Cacciatore, Peter Zawojski, Eric C. Peters, John Walsh, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6356314
    Abstract: Provided is an image synthesizing device with which a specific display region P of a sub-image is synthesized and displayed within a specific display region Q of a main image displayed on a display 9, wherein this image synthesizing device comprises a frame memory with which the data in the synthesis and display region P out of the sub-image data is continuously stored in the order of input, after which the stored sub-image data is read out when the scanning address of the main image data is an address corresponding to the display region Q, and a selector 4 with which the main image data displayed on the display 9 and the sub-image data continuously and sequentially read out from the frame memory are inputted, and when the scanning address of the main image data is an address corresponding to the display region Q, the selected channel is switched from main image data to the sub-image data and outputted to the display 9 where this sub-image data is displayed, which allows the capacity of the frame memory used
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Takebe
  • Publication number: 20020027617
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for real-time insertion of indicia (e.g., an advertisement) into a live (or taped) broadcast. Typically, the invention allow insertion with occlusion onto surfaces such as tennis courts, the wall behind home plate on a baseball field, the grass or turf on a soccer or football stadium, and the like. The occlusion processing described herein can handle multiple colors in the background image during the insertion of the indicia into a video image. The invention can thus adapt to changing light conditions in the video image. The process includes obtaining a video image from a camera. The video image is typically digitized. Next, the pixels within the video image are sampled. A plurality of background colors are then identified for the sampled pixels. An opacity value is then assigned to each pixel in the indicia based on whether the color of a positionally corresponding pixel in the video image is the same color as one of the plurality of background colors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: James L. Jeffers, Gregory House, Kevin Harney
  • Patent number: 6335765
    Abstract: A virtual three-dimensional presentation in accordance with the present invention includes three layers, a three-dimensional background layer, a two-dimensional video insert layer, and a three-dimensional foreground layer. A surface, the Z-sphere, is defined in the virtual three-dimensional space of the three-dimensional scene with reference to the aim point of a virtual camera looking at the three-dimensional scene being created. The three-dimensional foreground layer scene may include a key which defines the transparency of objects in the foreground layer. The two-dimensional video insert layer may be generated by positioning a presenter, or other object, in a chroma-key set. The two-dimensional video insert layer may be distorted before being composited with the background and foreground such that elements of the two-dimensional video appear to move across a three-dimensional floor of the three-dimensional scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Weather Central, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Daly, David N. Erickson, Terence F. Kelly, Victor W. Marsh, John S. Moore
  • Patent number: 6292225
    Abstract: A precision horizontal positioning (PHP) system for precisely positioning two overlaid video images includes a phase-locked loop, a frame controller, and a delay circuit. The precision horizontal positioning system adjusts the phase of a second video signal until the start of active video of the second video signal coincides with the start of active video of a first video signal. The delay circuit is incorporated in the feedback path of the horizontal synchronization signal of the second video signal such that the second video signal is pushed forward in time to align horizontally with the first video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Champion, Micheale R. McKay, Donald B. Moore
  • Patent number: 6288750
    Abstract: In an effective display area, an additional information recognizing part 203 recognizes a standard of a broadcast wave, refers to a ROM 212 and selects a target value, and provides an internal clock of a video data reading part 205 and an internal clock of an OSD data reading part 206 with the target value. At a retrace interval, on the other hand, the additional information recognizing part 203 notifies an additional information synthetic position deciding part 210 of the standard of the broadcast wave. The additional information synthetic position deciding part 210 selects from a ROM 211 a target value for reading the additional information applicable to the notified standard, and outputs the target value to an additional information reading parts 207. When the standard of the broadcast wave is changed, target values corresponding to the changes are responsively selected from the ROM 212 and the ROM 211.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikihiko Yamada, Hirotoshi Uehara
  • Publication number: 20010017669
    Abstract: A video signal processing system for processing a video data VIN and graphic data D&mgr;P includes a filter unit, which receives the video data VIN. The filter unit filters the video data VIN to convert the video data VIN into video pictures formated with a different number of columns and/or lines, and provides a filtered video signal indicative thereof. The filter unit buffers individual pixels and/or lines in a first memory device. A second memory device receives and stores the graphic data D&mgr;P and the filtered video signal and provides stored signals indicative thereof. A third memory device is connected to the second memory, and stores data received from the second memory device. A mixing unit receives and mixes the stored graphic data and the stored filtered video data to provide a video output signal VOUT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Bernd Broghammer, Karl Buehler, Guenther Huber, Michael Maier, Gerd Mauthe, Thomas Sagcob, Juergen Vogel
  • Patent number: 6259488
    Abstract: A method of concealing temporal shifts when a digital video effects system is used with a video switcher adds a mixer to the digital video effects system to mix the input to and output from the digital video effects system if the image to be transformed is on-screen at the beginning of the effect. An input video signal from a keyer in the video switcher is switched by an effects send/return matrix to the inputs of the digital video effects system and the mixer, and the output from the mixer is returned to the effects send/return matrix for input to the mix/effects stage of the video switcher. When the digital video effects system is bypassed, a delay circuit is used in the bypass path of the effects send/return matrix, the delay time equaling the processing time of the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Grass Valley (US) Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Trethewey
  • Patent number: RE38954
    Abstract: In an effective display area, an additional information recognizing part 203 recognizes a standard of a broadcast wave, refers to a ROM 212 and selects a target value, and provides an internal clock of a video data reading part 205 and an internal clock of an OSD data reading part 206 with the target value. At a retrace interval, on the other hand, the additional information recognizing part 203 notifies an additional information synthetic position deciding part 210 of the standard of the broadcast wave. The additional information synthetic position deciding part 210 selects from a ROM 211 a target value for reading the additional information applicable to the notified standard, and outputs the target value to an additional information reading parts 207. When the standard of the broadcast wave is changed, target values corresponding to the changes are responsively selected from the ROM 212 and the ROM 211.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikihiko Yamada, Hirotoshi Uehara
  • Patent number: RE38610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a video display processor comprised apparatus for receiving digital input signal components of a signal to be displayed, apparatus for converting the components to a desired format, apparatus for scaling and blending the signals in the desired format, apparatus for outputting the scaled and blended signals for display or further processing, and an arbiter and local timing apparatus for controlling the apparatus substantially independently of a host CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: ATI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sanford S. Lum, Keping Chen, Samuel L. C. Wong, Dwayne R. Bennett, Michael A. Alford