Abstract: An apparatus for reading picture data stored on a record carrier for first and second pictures, and providing an output video signal which changes smoothly from the first to the second picture. The apparatus has a single picture memory having storage locations for values representing individual pixels, and a converter for converting signal values fetched from the memory into a video signal. Data for a new picture are read into the memory without such adaptation as filtering or correcting color resolution. During intervals when the memory is not otherwise being accessed, newly recorded data are adapted and the adapted data are then stored. Priority are given to fetching data for the video generator, and loading data read from the record carrier.

Abstract: A video signal combiner includes circuitry for generating a gleam key signal for keying a video image which has been spatially transformed, a plurality of multiplier circuits for simultaneously layering multiple key and video signals in parallel, and circuitry for dynamically maintaining or adjusting Z data priority as the fill video images are spatially transformed. A gleam key is generated in accordance with dynamic planar description data representing the dynamic planar positioning of the gleam within the resultant video image. The gleam key profile or contrast range can be selectively altered prior to its keying of the video image. The multiple key signals can be selectively prioritized relative to one another. The multiplier circuits share common output compensation circuits. Dynamic range for internally generated Z video data is maintained at the maximum range possible using normalized Z data.

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 method of producing a composited video image based on depth uses a serial combiner to which a plurality of video input signals, representing video images, and priority signals are input. The video input signals each have an associated depth signal. The depth signals are sorted from farthest to nearest and a matrix control signal is generated from the depth signals. The matrix control signal is used to route the video input signals to appropriate inputs of the serial combiner in order from farthest to nearest. The priority signals are derived from the depth signals either serially or in parallel.

Abstract: At least three video signals including at least one video signal which is given special effects are combined into a single video signal. Each of the three video signals contains a key signal and depth information. Two video signals closer to a viewpoint for images represented by the video signals are selected from the at least three video signals, per pixel, by comparing the depth information contained in the video signals per pixel to detect two pieces of depth information corresponding to two pixels closer to said viewpoint, and holding the two pixels corresponding to the detected two pieces of depth information based on the detected two pieces of depth information. Then, the selected video signals are weighted and mixed based on the key signals and depth information thereof per pixel.

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: An improved predictive encoder where the leak signal is a function of the buffer fullness of the encoder. More specifically, the signals stored in the encoder output buffer are further encoded based on the fullness of the buffer, and information about this further encoding is used in determining the leak factor level. In accordance with another improvement, this leak factor level is not constrained to granularity that is imposed by the decoder hardware. Removal of the constraint is accomplished by cycling through a sequence of permissible leak levels that averages at the desired level.