Abstract: A mixed mode programming method permitting users to program with graphical coding blocks and textual code within the same programming tool. The mixed mode preserves the advantages of graphical block programming while introducing textual coding as needed for instructional reasons and/or for functional reasons. Converting a graphical code block or group of blocks to a textual block lets the user see a portion of the textual code in the context of a larger program. Within one programming tool the mixed mode method allows users to learn programming and build purely graphical blocks; then transition into mixed graphical and textual code and ultimately lead to their ability to program in purely textual code. The mixed mode further allows users to program using any combination of drag-and-drop graphical blocks and typed textual code in various forms.

Abstract: A mixed mode programming method permitting users to program with graphical coding blocks and textual code within the same programming tool. The mixed mode preserves the advantages of graphical block programming while introducing textual coding as needed for instructional reasons and/or for functional reasons. Converting a graphical code block or group of blocks to a textual block lets the user see a portion of the textual code in the context of a larger program. Within one programming tool the mixed mode method allows users to learn programming and build purely graphical blocks; then transition into mixed graphical and textual code and ultimately lead to their ability to program in purely textual code. The mixed mode further allows users to program using any combination of drag-and-drop graphical blocks and typed textual code in various forms.

Abstract: A mixed mode programming method permitting users to program with graphical coding blocks and textual code within the same programming tool. The mixed mode preserves the advantages of graphical block programming while introducing textual coding as needed for instructional reasons and/or for functional reasons. Converting a graphical code block or group of blocks to a textual block lets the user see a portion of the textual code in the context of a larger program. Within one programming tool the mixed mode method allows users to learn programming and build purely graphical blocks; then transition into mixed graphical and textual code and ultimately lead to their ability to program in purely textual code. The mixed mode further allows users to program using any combination of drag-and-drop graphical blocks and typed textual code in various forms.

Abstract: A mixed mode programming method permitting users to program with graphical coding blocks and textual code within the same programming tool. The mixed mode preserves the advantages of graphical block programming while introducing textual coding as needed for instructional reasons and/or for functional reasons. Converting a graphical code block or group of blocks to a textual block lets the user see a portion of the textual code in the context of a larger program. Within one programming tool the mixed mode method allows users to learn programming and build purely graphical blocks; then transition into mixed graphical and textual code and ultimately lead to their ability to program in purely textual code. The mixed mode further allows users to program using any combination of drag-and-drop graphical blocks and typed textual code in various forms.

Abstract: A mixed mode programming method permitting users to program with graphical coding blocks and textual code within the same programming tool. The mixed mode preserves the advantages of graphical block programming while introducing textual coding as needed for instructional reasons and/or for functional reasons. Converting a graphical code block or group of blocks to a textual block lets the user see a portion of the textual code in the context of a larger program. Within one programming tool the mixed mode method allows users to learn programming and build purely graphical blocks; then transition into mixed graphical and textual code and ultimately lead to their ability to program in purely textual code. The mixed mode further allows users to program using any combination of drag-and-drop graphical blocks and typed textual code in various forms.

Abstract: A mixed mode programming method permitting users to program with graphical coding blocks and textual code within the same programming tool. The mixed mode preserves the advantages of graphical block programming while introducing textual coding as needed for instructional reasons and/or for functional reasons. Converting a graphical code block or group of blocks to a textual block lets the user see a portion of the textual code in the context of a larger program. Within one programming tool the mixed mode method allows users to learn programming and build purely graphical blocks; then transition into mixed graphical and textual code and ultimately lead to their ability to program in purely textual code. The mixed mode further allows users to program using any combination of drag-and-drop graphical blocks and typed textual code in various forms.

Abstract: A resequencer changes the ABCD grouping of a sequence of video fields derived from a motion picture film via 3-2 pulldown so as to allow that sequence of video fields to be cut into or edited with a second sequence of similarly derived video fields, the cut or edit occurring at any desired position, without any artifacts. The resequencer comprises eight field stores. In each video field time, an input video field is stored into one field store and an output video field is read from a different field store. The particular field stores into which fields are read and written in each video field time are chosen so as to achieve the desired change in ABCD grouping.

Abstract: A compact light source for an optical color correction system selectably removes under electronic control zero, one, two, or all three primary color components from an input beam of white light. The system polarizes the input beam linearly and passes it through three filter assemblies. Each filter assembly comprises a half-wave plate whose optic axis may be rotated between two different positions under electronic control and a colored polarizer. With the optic axis in one position, the half-wave plate passes the incoming polarized light unaltered. With the optic axis in a second position, the half-wave plate rotates the incoming polarized light. The colored polarizer removes a primary color component only when the light passing through it is polarized along its principal axis, and passes the incoming light unaltered when that light is polarized along the orthogonal axis.

Abstract: A resequencer changes the ABCD grouping of a sequence of video fields derived from a motion picture film via 3-2 pulldown so as to allow that sequence of video fields to be cut into or edited with a second sequence of similarly derived video fields, the cut or edit occurring at any desired position, without any artifacts. The resequencer comprises eight field stores. In each video field time, an input video field is stored into one field store and an output video field is read from a different field store. The particular field stores into which fields are read and written in each video field time are chosen so as to achieve the desired change in ABCD grouping.

Abstract: A compact light source for an optical color correction system selectably removes under electronic control zero, one, two, or all three primary color components from an input beam of white light. The system polarizes the input beam linearly and passes it through three filter assemblies. Each filter assembly comprises a half-wave plate whose optic axis may be rotated between two different positions under electronic control and a colored polarizer. With the optic axis in one position, the half-wave plate passes the incoming polarized light unaltered. With the optic axis in a second position, the half-wave plate rotates the incoming polarized light. The colored polarizer removes a primary color component only when the light passing through it is polarized along its principal axis, and passes the incoming light unaltered when that light is polarized along the orthogonal axis.

Abstract: A system for the analysis of image data 48 that has been subject to one or more processing operations is described. The image data is displayed using a display palette 30 which maps pixel values PV to displayable appearances RGB, I. Under user control, a sub-section of the pixel values are mapped to enhanced displayable appearances so as to make small variations in the pixel values more visible. A palette scale 54 illustrating the mapping being performed by the palette 30 is displayed adjacent to the image 48 being analyzed. In addition, a graph 60 of the variation of pixel value along a given analysis line 62 is displayed to assist quantative analysis.

Abstract: A method of generating an output video signal includes processing two or more input digital video signals so as to manipulate images that they represent and combining the processed signals to form the output video signal, which represents a composite image in which the manipulated images appear to fly through one another. In a first pass, a digital video effect generator (1) is supplied (4) with one of input video signals and is responsive to data (5) representing at least the manipulation to which the image represented by that one input signal is to be subjected to process that one input signal to subject the image represented thereby to the manipulation intended for that image. The processed signal resulting from the first pass is recorded (VTR1).

Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating a picture (P1) represented by a video signal (V1) includes a picture manipulator (16R, 16G, 16B, 18R, 18G, 18B) responsive to data representing a desired manipulation to manipulate the picture by changing at least one geometrical parameter thereof. The picture manipulator is controlled by a computer (40) that comprises a keyboard 48 and track ball assembly (50) for entering command information indicative of how the picture is to be manipulated. The computer (40) incorporates processing software that enables the computer to act as processor means responsive to the command information to generate the data representing a desired manipulation. The computer (40) has a VDU (42) and incorporates display software responsive to the command information to cause the VDU to display a frame which is subjected to the same manipulation as that desired for the picture.

Abstract: Apparatus for photographic movie film to video signal conversion comprises a movie film to video conversion apparatus such as a telecine (11) in which the film (1) is aligned frame by frame to derive a video signal, and a video signal processor (16), such as a digital video effects apparatus (12), to process the derived video signal by reference to registration features (2) of the film (1), such as L-shaped registration marks (2) exposed thereon adjacent to each frame (3) of the film (1), to obtain more accurate frame alignment of the video signal.

Abstract: In order to include a break slot in a broadcast video signal, the signal is first fed through a RAM recorder having a variable delay. Reading of the signal from the RAM recorder is controlled in such a manner that the delay produced by the RAM recorder is reduced from an accumulated value. After the delay has been reduced by a desired amount, reading out of the signal from the RAM recorder is inhibited until the delay has increased again to no more than the accumulated value, thereby to produce a break slot having a duration no more than the reduction of the delay produced by the RAM recorder.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the combining of video signals includes a field rate microprocessor (10) that generaes edge data defining the edges of a polygonal first picture (KP) which is to be keyed into a second picture (B) to produce a composite picture. Two line rate microprocessors (16, 18) generate from the edge data, for each horizontal scanning line of the composite picture in which a row of pixels corresponding to that scanning line is intersected by edges of the first picture, signals representing: the horizontal locations of first and second start pixels, namely those of the row of pixels in which first and second edges (e.g. Eb, E2), respectively, of the first picture (KP) start to intersect the row; the gradients of the first and second edges; and a key value (the proportion of the first picture to be contained in a pixel of the composite picture) for each of the first and second start pixels.