Abstract: Original video data of a first format is edited. The first format video data has jitter frames (626) inserted therein and is displayed at a first frame rate. The original video data is read from a video tape recorder (301) in the first format and converted into a second format with no jitter frames, displayable at a second display rate. Time-code of the converted video data is related to time-code of the original video data so as to identify frame types for the converted video data. A portion (603-606) of the converted video data is modified to produce modified video data in the second format. New video data is generated in the first format by processing the modified video data. An edit processor is configured to replace an edit portion of the stored original data with the new data by defining an edit range with reference to the new data, selecting an edit field with reference to the frame type so as to initiate an edit on a data boundary.

Abstract: A method of modifying image data in which image colors are to be modified, including a first step of initializing a color vector function, in which color vector is a function of luminance, and then the following repeated steps. A user defines a luminance range (616, 617) and a color vector (620) for that range. The color vector function is updated (601) and a look-up table (407) is generated (602) that is addressable by luminance. Image data (405) is processed by calculating each pixel's luminance and using this to address the red, green and blue values in the look-up table (407). The red, green and blue values so obtained are then added to each pixel's original red, green and blue values, resulting in output image pixels.

Abstract: A method of initializing application instructions on a processing system. An application (602) comprises a number of dynamically shared objects or modules. Each of these modules may include data structures (614) that require initialization. Modules are dependent upon each other, and a module initialization order is identified by automatically registering a module's dependencies in an initialization list (608) during module loading, processing module dependencies to identify all dependencies, and generating an initialization schedule (609). Module initialization (506) is then performed. Plug-in modules can be loaded and initialized after the application has started, and the plug-in schedule is appended to the initialization schedule. Finalization is performed in reverse order, when the application is closed.

Abstract: An image processing system processes image data in response to a sequence of image processing steps defined by a process tree (800). The process tree comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes (801-813), including input nodes (801-804) and at least one output node (813). Output rendering is performed a frame at a time, and a frame requirement (824) is passed from the output node to previous nodes (812, 811, 810). Intermediate nodes include requirement processing (823) such that a node (810) having different input and output frame rates can identify and generate a requirement (825) for the input frames (826) as it requires for its processing (821).

Abstract: A method of optimizing the scheduling of the drawing of graphical elements of a multi-player display (102) in an image processing environment. Each player (801 to 804) is capable of operating asynchronously and deriving its source from a different video, film or other image format. Draw commands from each player are combined into short sequences known as graphics requests (1002 to 1004). A scheduler (821) selects the next graphics request for rendering by a graphics thread (831) based on the requirement to minimize state changes within the graphics card (208) while meeting the due time requirement of the graphics request, that is dependent upon the frame rate.

Abstract: A method of caching data is provided, which includes a plurality of processes 1602 to 1605, a cache manager 813 and a data type register 805 including at least one data type 1901 and a corresponding data type bit 1903. Said data type bit 1903 is set (1904) within the register 805 on being accessed by each of said processes and subsequently reset (1905) within the register. The cache manager 813 restores (1501) each of said set data type bit and identifies its corresponding data type 1901. The cache manager writes the output data 1609, 1610, 1611 of each of said processes 1603, 1604, 1605 within a memory cache 2001 and said cache manager resets (1505) said memory cache 2001 when the data type bit set by the last of said processes 1602 is reset.

Abstract: A method of matching image color and or luminance characteristics in an image processing system. In order to match an input image with a reference image, a color transformation M is initialised (601). An output image is copied (602) from the input image. The following sequence of operations is then repeated: Output and reference images are displayed on a system monitor. The user identifies (603) a highlight, shadow or overall region in both images. These regions are processed (604) to identify a difference (605). The difference is concatenated (606) onto transformation M. The output image is updated (607) by processing the input with M.

Abstract: A method for modifying characteristics of an animation. An animation is created for a live broadcast and comprises graphic data including first parameters and references to editable parameters. The editable parameters have their characteristics, including a value and a description for each editable parameter, stored as metadata. The graphic data is instantiated by a metafile containing the metadata to determine the overall characteristics of an animation used during the live broadcast. The metadata may be independently modified on remote processing systems without having access to said graphic data. Finally, the animation is rendered during a broadcast, during which both the first and editable parameters are used to determine characteristics of the rendered animation.

Abstract: An image processing system processes image data in response to a sequence of image processing steps defined by a process tree data structure. The process tree comprises a plurality of interconnected nodes, including input nodes and at least one output node. Output rendering is performed a frame at a time, and each frame is rendered in a time determined by the amount of processing defined by the process tree. The process tree may comprise many branches of interconnected nodes, and the user can selectively cache intermediately rendered frames at nodes where the contributing process tree branches are relatively stable in their configuration. The user may then make modifications to processes in other parts of the process tree, without having to wait for image data to be rendered from unchanged parts of the process tree.

Abstract: A processing system for processing data representing edit decision lists having edit decisions with edit data, representing the type of edit to take place, and frame range data, representing the frames over which the edit is to take place. An input device applies input data to the processing system in response to user manipulations specifying changes in the edit data. The processing device is configured to identify an associated function of the identified edit data, calculate modifications to the range data in response to the identified function and write the modified range data to storage.

Abstract: A graphical user interface 1401 allows function commands 901, 902 to be selected, such as function commands applied to image data 503, 504. A first user-generated input command, such as the pressing of a spacebar 106 on a keyboard 105, displays a plurality of function gates (1407) at the position (1504) of a pointer 704 located within a context 1403. Movement of said pointer by a mouse 107, stylus 102 or similar device to one of said displayed gates (1505, 1506, 1507, 1508) results in the selection of a specific function 902. Alternatively, said pointer is moved to a different context 1402 and said first user-generated input command displays another plurality of function gates (1407) at the position (1509), wherein one of said displayed gates (1510, 1511, 1512) results in the selection of another specific function 908.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing image data 603, 604 is provided, which comprises processing means 201, 202, memory means 205, 206, 207, display means 104 and manually operable input means 102, 103, 105, 106, wherein said memory means stores said image data and instructions 602, said image data and said instructions configure said processing means to perform the steps of outputting said image data to said display means as a hierarchical structure 603 of image data processing nodes 303, 401 to 413 having respective hierarchical properties 701, 702, 703, said structure being configured with a dimension. In response to selecting a plurality of said nodes by way of said input means, a group node 1301 is generated having hierarchical properties 701, 702, 703 processed (1103) from said respective properties. Said group node 1301 is output in said hierarchical structure 603. In response to selecting (1106) said group node 1301, said dimension is reconfigured (1107, 1501).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing image data 607 is provided, which comprises processing means 201, 202, memory means 205, 206, 207, display means 104 and manually operable input means 102, 103, 105, 106, wherein said memory means stores said image data 607 and instructions 602, said image data 607 and said instructions 607 configure said processing means to perform the steps of outputting said image data as picture screen elements 901 to said display means 104; in response to selecting a sample 1404 of said picture screen elements 901 by means of said input means, generating a reference co-ordinate system (1004) within which to process each of said picture screen elements 901, an axis thereof defining a distance; discriminating said picture screen elements (803, 902) and processing (1005) said discriminated picture screen elements according to said distance by means of proportionally averaging (1305) the co-ordinates thereof.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to process three-dimensional image data. A color transformation to be applied to image data is received from the user and concatenated with previous transformations. The concatenated transformations are applied to pixel values for the image data. Thereafter, the values of various parameters are evaluated to obtain and display updated pixel values. A matte may also be extracted and/or defined. For example, a reference color and various parameters may be obtained and used to calculate a transformation that transforms the reference color to an specified point (e.g., an origin) of the 3D space. The transformation may then be applied to each pixel so that each pixel is assigned a matte value according to its transformed values (and selected parameters), and therefore according to its position with respect to the specified reference color.

Abstract: Video data in the form of a plurality of digitized frames, is stored on a plurality of magnetic disks. Each image frame is striped across a plurality of disks and redundant parity information, derived from the stripes, is written to an additional disk. Disk failure is detected and in response to this detection missing data is regenerated from the parity information. This allows the transfer of video data in real time to be maintained for output so that the system remains operational. While data is being read in real time, derived from regenerated data, the regenerated data is written to an operational disk, thereby reprotecting the data in the event of a subsequent failure. Frame supplied to output are labelled as being protected or unprotected and application programs may respond to this status information as considered appropriate.

Abstract: An image processing function is selected via a graphical user interface (GUI) 902 that receives input commands from manually operated input means 102-103, 106 configured with activation means. Image data 707, 1206 is selected by placing a pointer 905 operated by the input means over its representation 919 within said GUI 902 and activating said activation means. In response to a translation 1301, 1303, 1402 of said representation 919 over a hierarchical representation 925 of said function within said GUI 902, said function is initialised according to said hierarchy with said selected image data 1206 as default data. In response to said initialisation, said GUI 902 is updated. In response to deactivating said activation means, said function is configured for processing said image data according to input received from said input means. The updated representation 1403 of said function includes a representation 919 of said image data 1206.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating image data is provided which comprises memory means, display means, user input means, and processing means, wherein said memory means stores said image data and instructions and said instructions configure said processing means to perform the steps of defining first image data, as a first layer having respective co-ordinates within a three-dimensional volume configured with a reference co-ordinate system; upon selecting second image data as a second layer to composite with said first layer, generating a reference pose layer and configuring the co-ordinates thereof as a second reference co-ordinate system within said volume; positioning said reference pose layer relative to said first layer; and defining said second image data as said second layer having respective co-ordinates within said three-dimensional volume configured with said second reference co-ordinate system.

Abstract: Data is transferred over a network having many image data processing systems (101, 102). A high bandwidth network (121) is connected to each of the data processing systems and to each of several storage systems (111, 112). Each of the storage systems is operated under the direct control of one of the processing systems. A request is issued from a first processing system to access a data storage system controlled by a second processing system over a low bandwidth network (151). A bandwidth assessment process assesses an extent to which the second processing system requires access to its local storage system. The first processing system is given access to the second storage system if an assessment is made to the effect that local access requirements are identified as being below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of modifying image colors in which a user identifies a source color (707) and a destination color (708) having a common luminance (704). Source and destination color volumes (821, 822) are defined by firstly identifying two points (811, 812) opposite in color to the source (707), and secondly by selecting the most distant of white or black (813) as another point. The source color volume (821) and destination color volume (822) have these three points in common. A transformation is then defined (804) to transform from the source to the destination volume. This transformation, when applied (805) to image colors, results in the color change intended by the user.

Abstract: A method of generating an executable graphic file for an animation. Graphic data defines first characteristics of an animation, which are accessible via locked parameters at a first level of user access. The graphic data also contains references to unlocked parameters stored as metadata in a metafile. The metadata preferably includes, for each unlocked parameter, a value field, a range of possible values and a description, thus making it possible to construct a user interface to modify second animation characteristics without modifying the graphic data. The graphic data is combined with rendering instructions, to form an executable animation file. Preferably the executable file cannot execute after a predetermined date. Multiple instances of the animation may be created by re-use and modification of the original metafile.