Abstract: A system and method for positioning a cursor associated with a dynamic background is described. In a first step, the position of the dynamic background in a first frame is calculated. In a second step, the position of the dynamic background in a second frame is calculated. In a third step, the change in position of the dynamic background from the first frame to the second frame is calculated. Lastly, the position of the cursor in the second frame is adjusted according to the change in position of the dynamic background. The change in position of the dynamic background from the first frame to the second frame can be calculated in one, two or three dimensions. Likewise, the position of the cursor in the second frame can be adjusted in one, two or three dimensions. This advantage allows for easier positioning of the cursor by a user on a desired object in the display.

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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for placing event related information into a video broadcasting so that the added information does not interfere with or obscure the primary action of interest in the broadcast. The disclosed information could be implemented by using instructions from an event information gathering system to trigger the display of one of an appropriate set of pre-rendered animations in the broadcast video via a well known live video insertion system (48). The disclosed invention envisages the animation sequence having at least two parts (FIG. 4), namely a core or base sequence (34) which is always used, and a mid or a variable sequence (56, 58, 60) which is changed according to the actual data that needs to be displayed.

Abstract: A method for inserting live video broadcast into a pre-produced video is provided. A pre-produced video is first stored. An insertion point in the pre-produced video is then identified and stored. Next, a video clip from a live broadcast is saved. The video clip is then combined with the pre-produced video via the insertion point. Finally, the result of the combination is displayed. Alternatively, a feed of the live video broadcast is directly combined with the pre-produced video without having to perform the step of recording the live event.

Abstract: Image templates are extracted from video images in real-time and stored in memory. Templates are selected on the basis of their ability to provide useful positional data and compared with regions of subsequent images to find the position giving the best match. From the position data a transform model is calculated. The transform model tracks the background motion in the current image to accurately determine the motion and attitude of the camera recording the current image. The transform model is confirmed by examining pre-defined image templates. Transform model data and camera sensor data are then used to insert images into the live video broadcast at the desired location in the correct perspective. Stored templates are periodically updated to purge those that no longer give valid or significant positional data. New templates extracted from recent images are used to replace the discarded templates.

Abstract: Image templates are extracted from video images in real-time and stored in memory. Templates are selected on the basis of their ability to provide useful positional data and compared with regions of subsequent images to find the position giving the best match. From the position data a transform model is calculated. The transform model tracks the background motion in the current image to accurately determine the motion and attitude of the camera recording the current image. The transform model is confirmed by examining pre-defined image templates. Transform model data and camera sensor data are then used to insert images into the live video broadcast at the desired location in the correct perspective. Stored templates are periodically updated to purge those that no longer give valid or significant positional data. New templates extracted from recent images are used to replace the discarded templates.

Abstract: A method of anonymous targeted insertion of indicia into video broadcasts. Individual televisions or other video reception devices are associated with set-top boxes that monitor the usage and viewing habits of the television set or other video reception device. A viewer profile derived from data acquired from said monitoring is created wherein the viewer profile indicates certain characteristics about the viewer. This profile is transmitted to a centralized database, said centralized database being an intermediate link between the origin of the video broadcast and the end viewer. The purpose of the database is to link specific insertable indicia with matching specific viewer profiles. The insertable indicia are encoded directly into the broadcast video and re-broadcast to the end viewer where the set-top box decodes the broadcast video and performs insertion of the indicia. Thus, the system and method allow advertisers to target specific ads or indicia to specific viewing profiles.

Abstract: A system and method (40) of altering the audio portion of a live television broadcast signal substantially in real time. The system is used to enhance the effects of live video insertion systems. The broadcast signal is received and separated into a pattern recognition unit (72) in order to recognize predetermined events. The broadcast audio is then altered based on the occurrence of said events. Alterations (68, 70) include modifications to attributes such as volume, tone, pitch, synchronization, echo, reverberation, and frequency profile. Once altered, the audio is re-synchronized (80) with the video channel which has undergone its own modification.

Abstract: A live video insertion system (LVIS) is disclosed that allows insertion of static or dynamic images into a live video broadcast in a realistic fashion on a real time basis. Initially, natural landmarks in a scene that are suitable for subsequent detection and tracking are selected. The landmarks are typically distributed throughout the entire scene, such as a ballpark or football stadium. The field of view of the camera at any instant is normally significantly smaller than the full scene that may be panned. The LVIS uses a combination of pattern recognition techniques and camera sensor data (e.g., pan, tilt, zoom, etc.) to locate, verify and track target data. Camera sensors are well suited for the searching requirements of an LVIS, while pattern recognition and landmark tracking techniques are better suited for the image tracking requirements of LVIS.

Abstract: A system and method for realtime occlusion processing for seamlessly and realistically blending an inserted image such as an advertisement into a region of a live broadcast image without obscuring the action of the live image. The average color and intensity of a synthetic reference image containing at least some of the region to be replaced is compared to the average color and intensity of the current live broadcast image to determine the difference between the two images. The resulting difference image obtained from processing the current image and synthetic, reference image determines areas of the intended insertion region within the current image which are obscured by live action. The processor then generates an occlusion mask based on the difference image and only those pixels that are unoccluded within the intended insertion region are allowed to be inserted into the live broadcast.

Abstract: A live video insertion system efficiently places static or dynamic images into a live broadcast. The system initially identifies natural landmarks within the video scene that can be automatically identified and tracked as the field of view of the camera pans and zooms across the scene. The locations of the landmarks are mathematically modeled and stored as a constellation of locations on a mathematical grid. An arbitrary reference point, preferably not necessarily coincident with a selected natural landmark, is located within or without of the grid and used as an origin for the purpose of inserting the static or dynamic image within the field of view of the camera. For static images, it is frequently desirable to place an edge or border of the image to be inserted on the reference point. For dynamic insertions, the distance between the reference point and the inserted dynamic image is automatically changed from frame to frame in order to make the image appear as though it's translating or changing, or both.

Abstract: A method for tracking motion from field to field in a sequence of related video broadcast images. The method uses template correlation to follow a set of predetermined landmarks within a scene in order to provide position information of objects in the current image. The current image object position information is compared to position information of the same objects within a reference array data table. The comparison is accomplished through the use of warp equations that map points in the current image to points in the reference array. Motion is tracked according to a velocity prediction scheme utilizing a weighted formula that emphasizes the weight of landmarks that are closer to their predicted position.

Abstract: A system for inserting images into live video fields includes a method for rapidly and efficiently identifying landmarks and objects. Initially a first template, having a first pattern similar to one of the distinctive features of the object, is passed over the video field and compared to it in order to preliminarily identify at least one possible distinctive feature as a candidate. A second template is then created by taking one of the major elements of the distinctive feature candidate and extending that element all the way across the second template and then comparing it to the distinctive feature candidate. This eliminates one or more possible falsely identified features. A third template is then created having a pattern formed from another major element of said distinctive feature and extending it all the way across the third template. The third template is then likewise passed over the distinctive feature candidate and compared therewith in order to eliminate still further falsely identified features.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for authorizing, controlling, and monitoring the insertion of advertising indicia and other video images into a broadcast video stream by an Electronic Billboard system operated at a location remote from a video program origination location. The disclosed control means will be implemented in the form of a user key which is presupplied to an operator of the remote Electronic Billboard system, a broadcast key supplied to that operator at or near the time of transmission of the broadcast video stream, and a verification means operated in conjunction with the remote Electronic Billboard system to verify that those keys correspond to a predetermined criteria. Upon such verification, the remote Electronic Billboard system is enabled to operate on the broadcast video stream. The control means may also be applied for maintaining the integrity of either or both the products being advertised and the event being broadcast.