Abstract: An image processing system is arranged to convert data representing a picture element with an original color defined in terms of original brightness and hue values into data representing the picture element with a new color, different than the original color. In the system a new hue value is calculated from the original hue value by way of a transforming circuit 5. The original and new hue values are both processed in look up tables 4, 6 to determine respective inherent brightness values associated therewith. The original brightness value is processed with the inherent brightness values by way of a subtracter 7 and an adder 8 to produce a new brightness value that together with the new hue value defines the new color of the pixel.

Abstract: A computer server system comprising a plurality of storage units which are arranged to be accessed for data retrieval purposes by a plurality of users, wherein user data is scattered in blocks distributed randomly and repeatably across available storage.

Abstract: An electronic video processing system comprises a store (11) for storing data defining plural video clips, and a processor (21, 27, 28, 29) for selecting from the stored video clips a plurality of clips and for selectively combining data defining the selected clips to form data defining a video story. A plurality of representative frames respectively representing selected video edits is displayable to portray a portion of the video story. Also, for each selected clip, a frame representative thereof is displayable together with a pair of smaller frames derived from the first and last frames of the clip.

Abstract: An audio editing system (50) comprises an audio store (51) for storing digital data representing audio clips. An editing processor (52) is operable in response to manipulation of a stylus and touch tablet (53) to edit the audio clip data. The editing processor (52) is arranged to generate edit data and store the same in an edit data store (54). A display processor (55) is arranged to generate from the edit data a set of data defining an image representing each of the audio clips and the manner in which they have been edited. The image is displayed on a monitor (56) and identifies audio clip portions selected to contribute to an audio sequence and all audio clip portions not selected contribute to the audio sequence.

Abstract: An electronic image processing system includes a scanner in which a light source is provided to illuminate an image captured on a film. A charge-coupled device produces digital data defining a multiplicity of picture elements which together represent the image. A look up table converts the data from the CCD into a format suitable for processing by a processor which data is stored in a framestore. The data in the framestore is read and processed by the processor and output for display of the image on a monitor. Characteristics or attributes of the displayed image are adjusted by the processor in response to user manipulation of a stylus and touch tablet device. Once the user is satisfied with the image as displayed the adjustment is used to alter the manner in which the scanner and look up table operate so that a further scanning of the image will provide data in the framestore representing the image with characteristics or attributes similar to those in the previously displayed image.

Abstract: The system comprises a store 11 having several disc drives for storing multiple video frames in random access order. The store 11 also has at least two ports 15, 16 each capable of transferring data relating to a respective video clip at video rate. The system further comprises processors 27, 28 for processing frame data associated with at least two video clips and a monitor for displaying selected ones of said multiple video frames. In a preview mode of operation video clips can be read from the store 11, combined and displayed on the monitor at video rate, and changes can be made to the clips and the manner in which they are combined without committing the combination to the store.

Abstract: A video image processing system comprises an input cache store for temporarily storing input video data, compressors for compressing image data from the input store and an output store comprising multiple storage areas of known fixed size for storing respective files of compressed data from the compressors. The compressors are arranged to compress each image of the input video data to a given initial degree to produce respective data files. A processor compares the number of bytes in each data file with the known size of one storage area in the output store to determine whether the data file will occupy a predetermined proportion of said storage area. In the event that the data file will not occupy said predetermined portion of said storage area, the processor causes one of the compressors to effect one or more repeat compressions to a different degree in order to produce a data file of a size which will occupy said predetermined proportion of said storage.

Abstract: A video image composition system and method in which the artist can move an insert cut out of a foreground image relative to a background image while continuously observing on the monitor the instantaneous artistic effects of the varying composition, without any need to make an initial decision on exactly where to pin the insert. A soft-edged control image operates on the foreground image to cut the insert. By using a pen and a tablet, the artist moves the control and foreground images as a unit relative to the background image while being able at all times to view the monitor display of the dynamically changing, full composited image. The artist can thus rapidly assess a great number of different composited images before deciding where and how to pin the insert for the final composited image. An additional control image allows the artist to select from the background image a foreground object which always will be in front of the insert from the foreground image.

Abstract: An image processing system in which a source patch (35) of pixels is copied from one region of an image to a destination patch (34) of pixels in response to the movement of a stylus (15) over a touch-tablet (16). Each pixel in the destination patch is modified towards the value of its respective pixel in the source patch, and the extent of modification is controlled by brush profile data (36). In one embodiment the source patch 35 and the destination patch (34) are defined in mutually exclusive regions. In another embodiment the source patch and the destination patch are defined in overlapping regions.

Abstract: A video image creation system provides intensity or color data from one or more stores. The image is created under manual control which effectively defines the coordinates of the artists implement at any given time.A processor receives the incoming image data and previously derived data from a frame store and modifies this data in dependance on a parameter available from another store. The created image can be viewed on a monitor.The parameter controls the contribution made from any adjacent, previously created, parts of the image and can be such as to simulate different pencil or brush shapes or types of paint for example. Additional facilities such as pressure sensitivity and blurring can be provided.