Abstract: A repeated information detection system stores incoming information in a RAM store which may have been converted from analog form via a conditioning amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. On read out, selected information is assigned brightness levels by means of a look-up table, before conversion into analog form in an digital-to-analog converter and then to a display via an amplifier in which synchronizing signals are added. The information read out is varied by controlling the read addressing, the operator being able to select the number of selected points per line and the offset for example, to allow repeated data patterns to be manipulated and detected using visual correlation.

Abstract: A system for processing images typically still images from a slow scan source such as associated with an electron microscope. The analogue source is converted into digital form via an ADC and passes via an adder to a framestore. An output of the framestore is also received by the adder. The capacity of the framestore is sufficiently large to accommodate several hundred summed frames. The image is built up by using all the stored information and all the incoming information. A divider under the control of a frame counter automatically corrects for intensity as the summation of frames progresses, the result being available for monitoring via a digital to analogue converter. Additional mechanisms are disclosed for dealing with other aspects associated with differing frame rates.

Abstract: A video processing system for reducing data content requirements along a transmission path. A movement processor which includes a framestore is capable of detecting both interfield and interframe movement and uses this to manipulate the data so as to inhibit or attenuate the movement content so that the available bandwidth is not exceeded. This manipulation can also be used to provide residual movement persistence between frames and to reduce picture noise content. A processor at the remote end of the transmission path can reconstitute the data to make it available at normal video rates.

Abstract: An object recognition system includes several pivotable cameras and frame stores for capturing images of the moving object from various aspects. The data is passed to compressors to provide simplified correlation of data in correlators also receiving data from a compressed image library to allow the object and/or its orientation to be determined.

Abstract: A video processing system including a number of frame stores with common highways. A number of input ports together with a computer have access to the input highway via buffers and the output ports together with the computer have access to the output highway via buffers. Each port together with the computer is allocated sequential time slots of short duration by a time slot control. Thus to an operator it will seem that he has continuous access to the system. Image planes greater than normal frame size can be handled by the address control. Additional data paths and processing hardware may be provided to enhance the system capabilities.

Abstract: A digital data manipulation system for compensating for drop outs on a video recording medium. Data received by an assembler is assigned to a predetermined non-standard format prior to recording. Addition of synchronizing information via process amplifier allows the digital data to be recorded on an analog video tape recorder as lines of video information. A checksum generator and parity bit generator are provided to effect two dimensional coding indicative of assigned data content both prior to recording and following playback. By detecting any differences between the coding information this identifies drop out errors to allow compensation therefor.

Abstract: A processing system for effecting angular displacement of at least part of a television picture. The picture is subdivided into picture areas each containing a plurality of picture points and a number of storage devices respectively receive information on each picture point within the area at a designated storage location. On read out, the location of a particular area is accessed by means of a picture point and line counter in a single read operation. Information on particular picture points within the area is selectively made available for interpolation via latches to allow construction of the displaced picture. The area accessed for read out can be modified relative to writing into the store in order to cope with any selected degree of displacement.

Abstract: A processing system for manipulating data prior to a recording process so that subsequent picture stop mode reproduction can be a achieved on replay from a recording medium such as a video disc gives optimum resolution. The processing system includes a frame store 15 for holding incoming video data and a movement detector 23 for detecting picture movement during any portion of the incoming video frame which movement information is held in a movement data store 24. A selector 18 controls the information from the frame store whereby the data read out is from a single field of the frame during those portions of the picture where movement has occurred, and from both fields in the frame when no picture movement has occurred in that portion of the picture. This outgoing information can be recorded on the video disc 22 and will appear as normal moving video information unless the stop mode is selected. When the stop mode is selected the information appears with full vertical resolution.

Abstract: A digital frequency multiplier which includes a first counter for counting the number of clock pulses received from a generator having first been divided by N in a divider. The counter establishes the number of these pulses which occur during a cycle of the incoming frequency and this number is compared in a comparator with the count from a further clock counter. Typically when coincidence occurs a change of state of the comparator results and as this coincidence will occur N times during a cycle of the incoming frequency, the output repetition frequency from the comparator will be N times the incoming frequency. Although division can be provided prior to the first counter this can alternatively be provided after this counter by using an arithmetic divider.

Abstract: A distributed video frame store and real time processing system which includes a frame store subdivided into a number of sectors each with an associated arithmetic unit capable of parallel operation for processing data from all the sectors simultaneously. Each arithmetic unit which comprises a subtractor, multiplier and adder may be shared as a common input and output processor during write and store read cycles respectively for that sector. During a write cycle, the incoming data together is processed with previously stored data and then written into the store sector, the coefficient for the multiplier being selected in dependence on any difference measured in the subtractor. During a read cycle and stored information can be passed via the arithmetic unit to the output. During the read cycle, data from two locations within that store sector is processed, and in dependence on any movement previously detected, these locations can be from the same or alternate fields.

Abstract: A T.V. special effects generator which includes a store for a video image and a coefficient processor connected to the store which synthesises picture points from the stored video image to provide a processed image which has a shape dependent on mask data controlling this picture point synthesis which results in an image distorted into the desired shape to give a fish-eye effect for example. The mask data may be generated in a computer or by using a T.V. camera and the processed mask information may be used as the key input in a studio mixer. Additional control of the size of the image can be effected to provide picture zoom.

Abstract: A digital picture storage system with various facilities including size change. The system includes real time frame storage and a non-real time store expediently provided as disc storage. The size change mechanism has access to the data in the non-real time domain to allow size change techniques to be used which are more readily realizable.

Abstract: A digital video processor system adapted to reduce the number of digital data samples by effectively reducing the data rate to allow more efficient handling during any further manipulation. The processor includes a separator for separating data from spacially adjacent video lines into high and low frequency components and adders for adding the high frequency component from each line and adding this summed data to selected portions of the low frequency component to produce data reduction by a factor of two. The data after further manipulation can be reconstituted by similar techniques.

Abstract: A video noise reduction system for incoming video information from a plurality of picture points. A first processor is capable of synthesizing each picture point from incoming picture point information from adjacent picture points to provide noise reduced picture information. A store is provided for storing picture information from at least one frame and a second processor is capable of synthesizing each picture point from incoming and stored information from a corresponding picture point from a current and earlier frames to effect noise reduction. A detector is provided to detect any movement between pictures to allow processing by the first processor when movement is occuring and from the second processor when no movement is occuring. A third processor may be provided to allow synthesizing from adjacent picture points from current and earlier pictures to effect noise reduction when the picture content is detected to be stationary and has only low frequency components therein.

Abstract: A T.V. picture freeze system capable of capturing a video frame comprising first and second fields. Movement is detected between fields for each picture point and data indicative of any movement is stored and is used on read out to determine whether the picture information is taken from a single field, when movement has occurred or from both fields when movement has not occurred for that portion of the picture.

Abstract: Digital standards conversion from one T.V. line standard to another including a processor for synthesizing picture points from adjacent picture point information derived from video signals from at least one field and a digital persistence arrangement for effecting movement interpolation between incoming and stored information. The digital persistence may be cylically varied field by field as well as being variable in dependence on any picture movement detected.

Abstract: A movement detection method and system capable of detecting picture point movement in portions of a picture in the presence of noise. Each picture point within the frame in turn is examined with a corresponding picture point from the previous frame to detect when movement has occurred for that particular picture point. To distinguish between noise and movement, a number of selected picture points adjacent the picture point are also examined to see if movement is occurring. By examining a number of picture joints noise tends to be attenuated while movement is not, so that true movement can be detected.

Abstract: A video noise reduction system including a coefficient modifier for modifying at least a portion of the incoming video information. Video storage is provided to store the modified information and an adder is provided for adding at least a portion of incoming picture information with at least a portion from a corresponding stored picture point from an earlier field. The noise reduced picture information is provided at the store output. The degree of noise reduction may be varied in dependence on movement detected between fields and whether luminance or chrominance components are present.

Abstract: A video system and method for manipulating picture information in the form of a number of picture points. The information is manipulated by sequentially synthesizing a picture point from information on a number of existing picture points adjacent the synthesized picture point from at least one field. The portions of the picture points used from current and previous fields may be varied in dependence on picture movement detected between fields.

Abstract: A video data store including at least one storage device containing a plurality of storage elements together with input and output data latches. A queueing control receives write and read store commands and temporarily holds the command if a store cycle is in progress. Timing means receive the write and read commands from the queueing control and produces timing signals required for accessing the storage devices. The store may thus be operated in an asynchronous manner.