Patents Assigned to Multi-Format, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130010188
    Abstract: A system for processing an audio/video program to output at a desired display rate includes a computer including RAM, ROM and a processor. The system has an input receiving an input video program in a first interlaced format. The computer has hardware or software functioning to: storing the input program, at least temporarily, in the first format; de-interlacing the input video program to generate a video program in a first progressive format having progressive frames, each progressive frame being derived from a respective one, and only one, of the fields in the first interlaced format; removing or repeating some of the frames of the video program in the first progressive format generating a program in a second progressive format; outputting the program in the second progressive format, wherein the display rate of the program is at least 48 frames-per-second.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventor: Kinya Washino
  • Patent number: 8228979
    Abstract: A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes, including “3:2 pull-down” for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up (for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventor: Kinya Washino
  • Publication number: 20110286714
    Abstract: A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes, including “3:2 pull-down” for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up (for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventor: Kinya Washino
  • Publication number: 20090174813
    Abstract: A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes, including “3:2 pull-down” for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up (for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: MULTI-FORMAT, INC.
    Inventor: Kinya Washino
  • Patent number: 7474696
    Abstract: A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes, including “3:2 pull-down” for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up (for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventor: Kinya Washino
  • Patent number: RE37342
    Abstract: An audio/video production system is implemented on a PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide digitally data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats, a first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line editing and to produce the final representations of the programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed on a PC using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be produced on-line in accordance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital video, is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventors: Kinya Washino, Barry H. Schwab
  • Patent number: RE41968
    Abstract: An audio/video production system is implemented on a PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide digitally data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats, a first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line editing and to produce the final representations of the programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed on a PC using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be produced on-line in accordance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital video, is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventors: Kinya Washino, Barry H. Schwab
  • Patent number: RE42020
    Abstract: An audio/video production system is implemented on a PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide digitally data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats, a first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line editing and to produce the final representations of the programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed on a PC using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be produced on-line in accordance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital video, is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry H. Schwab, Kinya Washino
  • Patent number: RE42160
    Abstract: An audio/video production system is implemented on a PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide digitally data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats, a first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line editing and to produce the final representations of the programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed on a PC using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be produced on-line in accordance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital video, is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventors: Kinya Washino, Barry H. Schwab
  • Patent number: RE42657
    Abstract: An audio/video production system is implemented on a PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide digitally data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats, a first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line editing and to produce the final representations of the programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed on a PC using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be produced on-line in accordance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital video, is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventors: Kinya Washino, Barry H. Schwab
  • Patent number: RE42709
    Abstract: An audio/video production system is implemented on a PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide digitally data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats, a first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line editing and to produce the final representations of the programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed on a PC using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be produced on-line in accordance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital video, is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Multi-Format, Inc.
    Inventors: Kinya Washino, Barry Schwab