Abstract: In an image special effect apparatus for forming a special effect image in which a plurality of images mutually intersect each other, the aforementioned plurality of intersecting images are allowed to be synthesized by incorporating depth information including images having residual images so that a special effect image is generated which does not provide a sense of awkwardness at a crossing point.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus for separating a video input into a luminance signal and a chroma signal which are sent respectively for individualized special effect processing. Special effect signals are fed to a control unit. The levels of a luminance signal and a chroma signal having undergone the special effect processing are estimated by a program. Based on the result of the estimate, a limiter controls the gains of the chroma signal following the special effect processing. In this setup, the gains of the chroma signal are controlled so that the level of a composite video signal will fall within a predetermined range of levels in keeping with the contents of the special effect processing performed on the luminance signal and chroma signal.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus for adding a special effect to an input image data, which is provided with function data generating means for generating function data in accordance with positions of pixel data for each pixel data forming the image data, random number generating means for generating different random numbers for each pixel data, and output means for judging based on the function data and the random number data if the corresponding pixel data is valid data or invalid data, outputting the pixel data only when valid data.

Abstract: In an image transformation apparatus for performing image transformation process to a video signal. A sequential read address is transformed based on the function of which a first differential coefficient reduces monotonously in a manner approaching "0" from "1", and the video signal is read out from a storing means by this transformed read address, so as to add an image collapsing effect to the video signal.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus for separating a video input into a luminance signal and a chroma signal which are sent respectively for individualized special effect processing. Special effect signals are fed to a control unit. The levels of a luminance signal and a chroma signal having undergone the special effect processing are estimated by a program. Based on the result of the estimate, a limiter controls the gains of the chroma signal following the special effect processing. In this setup, the gains of the chroma signal are controlled so that the level of a composite video signal will fall within a predetermined range of levels in keeping with the contents of the special effect processing performed on the luminance signal and chroma signal.

Abstract: A read address generator for generating read addresses for a read memory wherein input read addresses indicated using an orthogonal coordinate system is converted into equivalent addresses in a polar coordinate system; the polar coordinate system is divided into concentric blocks according to distances from the pole of the polar coordinate system; vectors having sequentially increasing or decreasing angles are set for the concentric block; coordinate values indicated by the vectors are converted into second equivalent coordinate values in the orthogonal coordinate system; and output read addresses are generated by subtracting the second coordinate values from the input read addresses indicated in said orthogonal coordinate system and are supplied to the video memory.

Abstract: In an image transformation apparatus, the image formed by an input video signal is stored into a memory, and the input video signal is read based on a read-address data of a predetermined read-address generator means, to execute a predetermined image transformation with respect to an image. The transformed image is formed by using a function in which a distance from the center of the transformed image is changeable corresponding to an angle from the center of that, so as to obtain the lens effect transforming the image into images having various curvilinearly shapes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating a composite three-dimensional video image data signal from first and second three-dimensional image data signals, in which the first three-dimensional image data signal is comprised of a first video data signal and a first depth data signal and the second three-dimensional image data signal is comprised of a second video data signal and a second depth data signal. The difference between the first and second depth data signals is calculated so as to form a difference signal from which a signal representing the sign of the difference signal is generated. Average values are obtained, at a rate corresponding to a pixel processing rate, between the sign signal and the rate of change of the difference between the first depth data signal and the second depth data signal, in which the rate of change is calculated when the sign signal has a predetermined value.

Abstract: In an image transformation apparatus for performing predetermined image transformation with respect to an image, the image formed by an input video signal is stored in a memory, and then the input video signal of the memory is read by a read address data of predetermined read address generating means, by adding a random number generator to the read address generating means, such a special effect that the image seems to burst can be obtained.

Abstract: In an image transforming apparatus for performing the predetermined image transform for the image, the image formed by input video signal is stored in a memory, and the input video signal in the memory is read out in accordance with the predetermined read address data of the read address generating means, so that the special effect as if the image bursts is obtained. The random number generator is added to the read address generating means, and the extension of image and the value of random numbers to be added are controlled based on the data corresponding to the angle for the center of effect, so that the burst effect as if the picture elements scatter separately can be obtained.

Abstract: In a video special effect processor for performing video special effect processing on a digital video signal, a digital video signal is transmitted as serial digital data in a predetermined format, and data indicative of depth information of the digital video signal is transmitted in the form of serial data that conforms to the above-mentioned format.

Abstract: A video signal combining apparatus for combining at least three video signals (V.sub.A, V.sub.B, V.sub.C) including a key signal (K.sub.A, K.sub.B, K.sub.C) and depth signal (Z.sub.A, Z.sub.B, Z.sub.C) includes at least two cascade-connected 2-input combiners (1, 2) which combine two of the video signals so that the output of a preceding stage becomes one input of the next stage; a decision circuit (3) which decides on a pixel by pixel basis on an order of arrangement in a depth direction among images from the depth signal of the input video signals; and a switching circuit (4) which rearranges the input video signals in an order of arrangement based on the result of decision of the decision circuit (3) and outputs the result in a parallel manner to the inputs of the above-described combiners (1, 2) so that the video signals are sequentially combined in the decided order of arrangement.

Abstract: A special effect generating apparatus having a plurality of processing units being connected each other, each of which includes a processing section for processing an input video signal according to a control signal, an identification signal generating section for generating an identification signal which identifies the processing unit or a condition of the processing unit, an adding section for adding the identification signal to a predetermined portion of an output video signal from the processing section, a detecting section for detecting the identification signal in an output video signal from an upstream processing section, and a monitoring section for monitoring a connecting status among the plurality of processing units or a condition of the processing units according to the identification signal detected by the detecting section.

Abstract: In an apparatus for processing an input video signal and generating a special effects video image signal, mapping data representative of the destination upon conversion of each pixel of the input video data is stored in a memory, the mapping data is based upon a write address signal which is added with an offset which becomes larger with the lapse of time. A video image conversion is applied to the input video signal based on the mapping data which is read from the memory in response to a read address signal.

Abstract: A helical-scan video tape recorder (VTR) records time-axis-compressed PCM audio signals on auxiliary recording tracks on a recording medium and has a synthesization circuit which mixes normal frequency-modulated audio signals (AFM audio signals), recorded on video tracks with video signals, with the time-axis-compressed Pulse-Code-Modulated audio signals (PCM signals) before reproduction through speakers. The PCM audio signals require digital processing for time-axis compression, and so are recorded and reproduced later than the AFM audio signals. Thus, when reproduced, the PCM audio component lags behind the AFM component, resulting in an echo effect. Adjustment of the relative amplitude levels of the two types of audio during synthesization produces acoustical effects that simulate the acoustics of a concert hall.

Abstract: A special effect apparatus temporally enlarges an input video signal so as to reduce edge intrusion caused by a type of special effect processing and to eliminate color fading due to different sampling frequencies for the luminance and chrominance components of a video signal. The temporally enlarged video signal is formed by sequential selection among three signals: a reference video signal, a preceding video signal which temporally leads the reference video signal and a trailing video signal which temporally lags the reference video signal. Portions of the preceding and trailing video signals are appended to the reference video signal to produce the temporally enlarged video signal which can be processed to create a special effect devoid of edge intrusion.

Abstract: A luminance and chrominance signal separator includes a linear and a non-linear type vertical comb filters which receives a digital composite video signal having the luminance and chrominance signal. The linear and the non-linear type vertical comb filter is selectively used in response to correlation detection between successive vertical lines of the digital composite video signal so that both color smear and aliasing noise are eliminated. If necessary, a linear and a non-linear type horizontal filters are further provided wherein one is selectively used in response to a correlation detection result between successive picture elements of the digital composite video signal so that the cross-color component can be eliminated.