Abstract: A three-dimensional picture projecting device comprises a projector for projecting a three-dimensional picture, a screen for capturing the projected three dimensional picture, and a pair of polarizing glasses having left and right polarizing eyepieces with different polarization directions. The projector includes a light source, a focusing lens for focusing the light emitted from the light source, picture forming means for receiving the light from the light source and forming left-eye and right-eye pictures, polarization changing means for making polarization directions of the left-eye and right-eye pictures different from each other, and a projection lens for magnifying the left-eye and right-eye pictures on the screen. Therefore, a three-dimensional picture can be provided with a single projector.

Abstract: A video system is disclosed in which a single generic MPEG standard encoder (107) is used to simultaneously code and compress plural different resolution video signals from a single input video signal; and in which a single generic MPEG standard decoder (402) is used to simultaneously decode plural coded and compressed video signals of different resolutions and form a single composite video signal. The coder converts each frame of pixel data of the input video signal into plural frames having different resolutions, which are then combined into a common frame (106) for input to the generic MPEG encoder. The MPEG encoder produces a single coded and compressed output bitstream in slices of macroblocks of pixel data, which output bitstream is demultiplexed (108) into separate resolution bitstreams using Slice Start Code identifiers associated with each slice and Macroblock Address Increments associated with the first macroblock in each slice, to properly route each slice to the appropriate output.

Abstract: A surveillance housing assembly comprises an outer shell having a top wall portion and side wall portion, wherein the side wall portion extends in a downward direction from the top wall portion to thereby define a first cavity. An inner shell comprises a top wall portion for mounting engagement with an underside of the top wall portion of the outer shell within the first cavity. The inner shell further comprises a top wall portion and a side wall portion, wherein the side wall portion extends in a downward direction from the top wall portion to thereby define a second cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for processing video imagery. The system automatically selects for transmission, or storage, portions of a video image at an automatically selected compression level, and/or in an automatically selected order. The system and method are intended to supplement and/or replace human actions with autonomous operations that are intended to preserve and prioritize important image information and highly reduce or eliminate image data that does not contain significant information. The preservation of important and relevant image information is given a higher priority than preservation of overall image quality.

Abstract: An automatic, voice-directional video camera image steering system specifically for use for teleconferencing that electronically selects segmented images from a selected panoramic video scene typically around a conference table so that the participant in the conference currently speaking will be the selected segmented image in the proper viewing aspect ratio, eliminating the need for manual camera movement or automated mechanical camera movement. The system includes an audio detection circuit from an array of microphones that can instantaneously determine the direction of a particular speaker and provide directional signals to a video camera and lens system that provides a panoramic display that can electronically select portions of that image and, through warping techniques, remove any distortion from the most significant portions of the image which lie from the horizon up to approximately 30 degrees in a hemispheric viewing area.

Abstract: A bit rate control mechanism for a digital image or video compression system estimates a complexity parameter for a current picture, or block of samples, of a video signal as a function of parameters for a prior picture of the video signal, which parameters include a bit rate. From the complexity parameter a quality factor for the current picture is determined and applied to a quantizer to compress the current picture. A complexity pre-processor may also be used to detect scene changes in the video signal prior to estimating the complexity parameter. If there is a scene change detected, then the rate control mechanism is reset prior to estimating the complexity parameter for the first picture in the new scene.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder is described. The rate control algorithm has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding.In particular, the invention relates to a quantization biased, activity based inter/intra decision.

Abstract: Motion estimation using limited-time early exit with prequalification matrices and a predicted search center reduces computational time for a video compression encoder. The partial absolute error obtained for a given location within a search area is compared periodically with a prior absolute error obtained for a prior position within the search area to determine whether the partial absolute error is greater than such prior absolute error. If the partial absolute error is greater, then the processing for that position may be terminated and the search moved to the next location within the search area. Using the triangle inequality a series of prequalification matrices are generated for the reference image and for the current image being searched. Comparing the prequalification matrices using early exit further reduces the computational time.

Abstract: A telecine scanner having a capstan roll (3) continuously advancing the film through a picture scanning station, includes a capstan motor (2) controlled by a phase signal derived from a tachodisc (7) of a sprocket (8) driven by the film (1). To improve vertical picture steadiness, this phase signal is derived from a higher-frequency pulse signal after the capstan roll (3) has run up to speed.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for making a composite image of a scene a large-aperture lens to form an image of the scene on a photographic film through a lenticular screen or a barrier strip. The recorded image on film is digitized into a digital image and conveyed to a computer workstation for processing. Assuming the image area in the recorded image under each lenticule is digitized into an image zone composed of N pixel rows in the digital image. To correct the pseudoscopic effect, the order of each group of N pixel rows in each image zone is electronically reversed. Also, the entire digital image is electronically reversed to become a normal composite image. The image reversal process (for the entire image) can also be effected optically by forming the scene image through a plane mirror. The composite image in digital form can be used to produce 3D display, video and hard-copies by presenting the composite image behind a lenticular screen or a barrier strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient motion vector detection is disclosed that provides an expanded search window with a plurality of motion processors. The internal search window of each motion processor is arranged as a set of N row by M column rectangular subblocks. An address generator circuit scans a stream of pixel data values out of a reference frame memory while a set of delay circuits route the stream of pixel data values to the input paths for the internal subblocks and match input timing for the motion processors.

Abstract: A system for variable bit-rate video coding in which encoding bandwidth as characterized by a usage parameter control (UPC) parameters is renegotiated between a video encoder and an asynchronous transfer mode network in order to maintain quality-of-service and save bandwidth. The coding system includes adjusting the video source quantization in a manner for controlling the occupancy level of a buffer while new UPC parameters are requested from an ATM network.

Abstract: A method of converting two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images. When the movement of a main image is fast, a main image signal is written into field memories for each field. When the movement of the main image is slow, the main image signal is written into the field memories at intervals of a predetermined number of fields. An image to be read out as a sub-image from the field memories is determined on the basis of the speed of the movement of the main image.

Abstract: Apparatus for judging the order of arrival of racers at a goal in a race and the time taken for the race, capable of storing, in a memory unit, video signals of a plurality of line sensor cameras disposed so as to be able to pick up images of moving objects from both directions with a judging criterion line between or from such angles that moving objects do not overlap, effecting scan conversion on the stored video signals of the plurality of line sensor cameras, reading resultant video signals, and displaying video signals thus read out respectively singly or simultaneously plurally on a single video monitor.

Abstract: A closed circuit television (CCTV) system with an improved detection function and a detecting method wherein, a number of camera signals, generated by multiple monitoring cameras, are recorded on a single recording medium such as a magnetic tape, corresponding ID codes are generated in accordance with predetermined physical event and time-of-day conditions. Such physical conditions include events such as video loss, fire alarms, break-ins, and so forth. The ID codes are recorded during vertical blanking periods of the camera signals, and are detected during reproduction of previously recorded video signals. The ID codes detected are compared with a user-designated value indicative of a physical event and time-of-day condition to be detected, so that an ensuing comparison match facilitates non-sequential reproduction of the camera signals corresponding to the ID codes and effectively reduces the amount of time to detect an event recorded on a recording medium, and increases detection efficiency.

Abstract: A system and methods for implementing a video encoder which for each picture guarantees that the number of bits produced will not exceed a limit. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes two cooperating components or subsystems that together with other components of a video encoder operate to encode the input video, detect when the limit on the number of bits produced so far is close to exceeding the limit on the number of bits that may be produced and reduce the bit rate when such a condition is detected. One aspect of the current invention embodies a macroblock (MB) bit stream generator that can operate in a "low bit rate mode" Another aspect embodies a subsystem for detecting when the number of bits in the picture is close to exceeding the limit.

Abstract: An apparatus, for use in an image signal encoding system, encodes a bidirectionally predictive frame (B frame) of a digital video signal to generate an encoded B frame signal. The apparatus selects two groups of pixels from pixels contained in a detected processing regions of a first and a second reference frames as a first and a second sets of feature points, respectively, by using a feature points selection circuit; and then determines a first set of motion vectors between the current and the first reference frames and a second set of motion vectors between the current and the second reference frames through the use of a feature point motion estimation circuit. Thereafter, the apparatus selects a set of motion vectors for the set of feature points from the first and the second sets of motion vectors to thereby generate a selected set of motion vectors and selection information representing the selected set as the encoded B frame.

Abstract: A motion detector and improved key signal interpolator using the same inputs a video signal to both a frame and a field based interpolator to produce both frame and field interpolated signals. The frame and field interpolated signals are input to a mixer. The frame interpolated signal also is input to a frame delay circuit, the output of which is subtracted from input to produce a motion signal. The motion signal is converted by an absolute value/lookup table into a mix signal that is also input to the mixer. The mix signal determines which interpolated signal at the input is passed to the output, the field interpolated signal being passed when motion is detected and the frame interpolation signal being passed when motion is not detected.

Abstract: An audio/video decoding system capable of providing sufficient synchronization between an audio output and a video output. The decoding system has a parser, an audio decoder and a video decoder. The parser extracts an SCR (System Clock Reference), an audio time stamp and a video time stamp from a system stream, and demultiplexing the system stream into an audio stream and a video stream. The audio decoder computes an output timing for an audio output based on its decoding time, the SCR and the audio time stamp, and decodes the audio stream in accordance with the output timing. The video decoder computes an output timing for a video output based on its decoding time, the SCR and the video time stamp, and decodes the video stream in accordance with the output timing.

Abstract: A system and method to improve the quality of reproduced images on a film to video transfer device by scanning extra lines to reduce vertical aliasing and performing vertical sample rate reduction to produce the correct number of video output lines High frequency noise is reduced as a result of the vertical sample rate reduction which produces a line filtering. More lines are scanned than normal and the distance between lines is reduced so that the larger number of lines covers the original film image area. This has the effect of increasing the sampling frequency in the vertical direction and therefore reducing aliasing. To provide the correct number of lines in the output of the film to video sample, rate reduction is performed. Sample rate reduction is performed by filtering multiple adjacent lines to remove any high frequency content that would be aliased at the lower rate. Lines are discarded in a predefined sequence that is a function of the fractional reduction rate.