Abstract: A chromakey method and an associated circuit arrangement are intended for treating transition colors in color keying in which transition colors occur in video pictures, for example at the edges between foreground objects and the key color of the background of these objects. For the proposed treatment of the transition colors, inter alia the keying function (k) plays a decisive role. It indicates the key color component for each transition color. To define this keying function (k), parameters are applied to a computer (C), which parameters fix a key color (.vertline.KC.vertline.,.theta.,.PHI.), a transition color (Cb, Cr, Y) and a boundary region (.alpha.,.beta.). In the color space, the boundary region separates the color of the foreground of a video picture from all other colors which may occur in the video picture. The keying function (k) is determined by way of the equation for the boundary.

Abstract: A background region of the current image is compared to a reference region to characterize the gain associated with the current image. The values of the unsaturated background pixels of the current image are then adjusted to correct for the characterized gain before encoding the current image. In a preferred embodiment, the reference region is generated based on the previous n frames in the video sequence.

Abstract: A composite electronic apparatus consisting of a video and audio signal processing portion including image displaying circuits for displaying images based on a video signal and sound reproducing circuits for reproducing a sound based on an audio signal, a position detecting portion for conducting positional detection to produce position data representing a detected position, a data reproducing portion operative to read information from a record medium and to reproduce map data or video or audio data on the basis of the information read from the record medium, a data processing portion for causing the position data and the map data to be subjected to predetermined data processing, a video signal transmitting portion operative to produce a video signal for image display on the basis of the position data and the map data subjected to the predetermined data processing and to transmit the video signal for image display to the image displaying circuits so that images displayed by the image displaying circuits, and

Abstract: A controller apparatus and method for executing a plurality of control functions for communication of multimedia articles including voice, audio, text, still image, motion video and animated graphics which incorporates a frame memory system which is compatible with multiple standard or customized coding algorithmic signals such as H.261, MPEG, JPEG, EDTV or HDTV or in multiple incompatible video coding equipment employing different video coding algorithms can now freely communicate with each other, the controller apparatus further including a band width management function for automatically scaling the multimedia article signal to conform to available band width.

Abstract: A process for background information recovery in an image including an image of a moving object, comprises the steps of identifying regions of moving objects relative to the background; deriving a moving constellation containing moving objects in a minimum circumscribing polygon; deriving partial background images associated with respective positions of the moving constellation; and combining ones of the partial background images.

Abstract: An image processing device in accordance with the present invention processes image data obtained by reading an original image including an image portion and a background portion to subdivide the original image into a plurality of images, the image data including density data representing density of each image. The device includes a device for outputting background density data, a device for outputting density coefficient data, a background color removing device for decreasing a value of density data corresponding to the background portion based on the background density data, and a density correcting device for increasing a value of density data corresponding to the image portion based on the density coefficient data.

Abstract: In image combining method of phototaking an object to be photographed by using a plurality of image taking systems with portions of fields of view thereof overlapping, and forming combined image information by combining pieces of image information obtained by the image taking systems, coordinates changing processing is performed by using the distance information of an object to be photographed, and image signals output from the respective image taking systems are compensated in accordance with the changed coordinates. One of the compensated image signals is selected with respect to a region where a far-distance portion of the object is concealed by a near-distance object, of the overlapping region of a combined image signal.

Abstract: A teletext information displaying method and the apparatus therefor for a wide-screen television receiver by which both the list and the contents of received teletext pages are displayed on a 16.times.9 A.R. screen, so that a user can easily find desired teletext information without the necessity of individually entering page data for page search. According to the present method and apparatus, teletext page data being received is stored in a first memory, and the list of the stored pages is created and stored in a second memory. The page list and the contents thereof are selectively displayed on a 4.times.3 A.R. region and a remainder region of the 16.times.9 A.R. screen. Also, when the channel is selected, information on the teletext pages having been received and stored and the teletext type are displayed for a predetermined time with a television picture, thereby providing convenience in use.

Abstract: A digital video effects generator includes: means for up-sampling the digital video component signals prior to their spatial transformation and linear interpolation, thereby reducing losses due to the (sin x)/x frequency response of the sampled video signal; means for spatially-mapping video motion data representing the degree of video data motion between temporally adjacent video frames and for motion adaptive interpolation to selectively blend interpolated video field data in accordance therewith; means for pre-transform keying, thereby allowing two video signal transformations to be keyed simultaneously; means for selectively transforming portions of input video signals, thereby allowing selective keying of non-spatially transformed video into selected regions of the video image; means for selectively linking keyframes within separate effects and providing smooth parametric transitions therebetween, thereby allowing several separate effects to be combined into a single effect with smooth parametric transit

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for combining first and second video signals to produce a composite video signal for display. First and second video sources generate first and second video signals. A chroma key circuit is included for comparing each pixel of the first video signal with a preselected color and generating logic signals indicating whether or not each pixel matches the preselected color. An input lock map stores each of the logic signals when field data is in a first state and provides the logic signals on an output line thereof when the field data is in a second state. A frame buffer selectively receives (1) a complement of the logic signals when the field data is in the first state and (2) the logic signals when the field data is in the second state.

Abstract: The present invention is useful in taking images for identification and other purposes without the requirement of a photobooth, regardless of the background of the image. The original background of the image is replaced with a preselected background. Two IR images with different intensities of IR illumination in the foreground and background regions of the scene, respectively, are compared for light intensity differences between corresponding pixels of the two images to form a mask differentiating between the foreground and background regions of the image. The mask is then applied to a visible light image of the scene and the preselected background is used to replace the original background.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which allows different amounts of filtering to be applied to specific parts of a foreground image, thus minimizing visible noise in the backing area, while preserving fine detail information of foreground objects. The method and apparatus identify three areas within the foreground, namely unobscured backing (screen) area, screen to foreground subject transition area, foreground subject area. The area where full amount of filtering is desired is the backing area, including shadows. This is the area where the background image will be added, and if noise is present in this area, it will be added to the background image. The transition area from the screen to the foreground object requires variable amounts of filtering, depending on the width of the transition. For sharply focused edges and very fine detail, the transition width is very small, and any filtering applied there will cause blurring and softening of these edges and details. Therefore, no filtering is applied to those areas.

Abstract: A video image based control system including a video camera scans a field of view and generates video signals representing the captured image of the field of view. The video signals are applied to a digitizer which converts the video signal into digital information. The digital information is conveyed to a computer and stored. The computer then performs an AND function on the stored digital information and on bitmaps stored in the computer memory associated with predefined areas of interest in the field of view of the video camera to determine whether a participant in the field of view is positioned so that at least a portion of the participant is located in an area of interest. If the participant is detected as being within an area of interest, the computer determines the proportion of the area of interest obscured by the participant and generates a control signal having a value dependant on the proportion of the area of interest obscured by the participant.

Abstract: A character image encoding/decoding apparatus is provided with an encoder for encoding character data to a sub-picture with a bit-mapped shape of monochromic character data, separately from an encoding of a main picture, a detector for detecting bit changing positions in a two-dimensional manner from the bit-mapped shape of monochromic character data; an extractor for extracting a contour of the character data; and a developer for developing the character data, the contour and a background of the character data in three domains, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used in the field of image compositing which eliminates the need to obtain an original clear frame of the backing during production, by synthesizing during post production a clear frame of the backing from a frame of the foreground scene that includes the subject as well as the backing. This synthetic clear frame eliminates the problems of obtaining a registered clear frame during production, and thereby permits the ready application of nonuniformity correction to image compositing in both motion pictures and graphic arts. The invention is also directed to a method and apparatus used in the field of image compositing which reduces the processing time for developing the inhibit signal that prevents the corrections from being applied to the subject, the control signal E.sub.c, and a number of other functions that are computed from the colored backing.

Abstract: There is provided an image sensing apparatus which comprises a detecting part for detecting an optical characteristic of a photographic optical system, an image sensing part for converting an optical image photographed by the photographic optical system into an electrical signal, a combining part for combining character information with image information outputted from the image sensing part, and a control part for controlling a combining operation of the combining part in accordance with an output of the detecting part.

Abstract: A foreground live-video image, made up of a "blue back" part, a "hand/arm" part, and a "shadow" part of the "hand/arm" part, is chroma-key composited with a background live-video image. The "blue back" part is displayed to be transparent on the display screen. The "hand/arm" part is displayed to be opaque. The "shadow" part is displayed to be translucent. Whereas a first comparator determines a key color of the "blue back" part, a second comparator determines a key color of the "shadow" part. According to the output code of the first and second comparators, a data selector selects, pixel data of the background live-video image (Va) for the "blue back" part, pixel data of the foreground live-video image (Vb) for the "hand/arm" part, and pixel data found by multiplying each of the pixel data of Va and the pixel data of Vb by a respective weight and summing those products, as respective output pixel data.

Abstract: A system and method which mixes images, such as an advertisement, with a video stream of action occurring within a relatively unchanging space, such as a playing field, is disclosed. The system utilizes a model of the background space to change the video stream so as to include the image at some location within the background space. It includes a video frame grabber and an image implantation system. The frame grabber grabs a single frame of the video signal at one time. The image implantation system typically implants the grabbed image into the frame onto a predefined portion of a preselected one of the surfaces of the background space if the portion is shown in the frame. To determine the location of the portion to have implantation, the image implantation system includes a unit for receiving a) a flat model of the fixed surfaces and b) an image mask indicating the portion of the flat model onto which the image is to be mixed.

Abstract: An automatic clock-setting apparatus and method, which can recognize clock-displaying characters as numerals included in a television broadcasting signal when the clock-displaying characters are displayed on a screen, and which can automatically set a current time of a built-in timer of a television or a video cassette recorder by the recognized numerals. According to the invention, it is possible to set a clock exactly and to make the clock-setting operation by the user convenient.

Abstract: A recording signal selection method for video titling suitable for recording a superimposed signal, consisting of a switching section for selectively selecting a tuner signal, a line signal and a playback signal as an output and transmitting the selected tuner signal, line signal or superimposed signal as a recording signal, a microcomputer for generating the character data which are to be superimposed according to user's need and controlling said switching section, and an on-screen display element for selecting as a background signal one of the tuner signal and line signal from the switching section and transmitting as an output a superimposed signal which a character signal from the microcomputer is superimposed on the background signal.

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 apparatus and a method for synthesizing videos in a color video printer, in which videos can variously be edited and characters can simply be inserted into a video, according to a user's selection.

Abstract: An image processing system operates on first and second image data (V and Bg) to produce data defining a combined image. The first image data (V) represents a keyed image comprising a first object (F) keyed over a portion of a first background (B) in accordance with keying data (K). The second image data (Bg) represents a background. The system is arranged so that the second image data (Bg) is weighted by respective control data (.alpha.) related to said keying data (K) before being combined with the first image data (V). In another embodiment the first image data represents a second object independently keyed over the keyed image in accordance with second keying data and the control data is further related to the second keying data. In a further embodiment the first image data represents an image derived by cross fading between the first keyed image and a second keyed image.

Abstract: A method and system for combining digital data signals representing digitized images to implement a DSK operation in one mixing stage. The system requires only one mixing circuit, rather than two as in conventional DSK systems. In preferred embodiments, the DSK operation processes an input video signal having pixels a.sub.k, an input video signal having pixels b.sub.k, a stream of single-color pixels B, and a fade control signal .beta., to generate a stream of output pixels u.sub.k =(1-.beta.)v.sub.k +.beta.B, where v.sub.k =(1-.alpha.)a.sub.k +(.alpha.)b.sub.k, and .alpha. is a key signal which can have a different value for each pixel a.sub.k. The value of .alpha. can be constant for an entire frame of input pixels a.sub.k or can have a different value for each individual pixel a.sub.k. Typically, the value of .beta. is constant for each frame of input pixels a.sub.k. Preferred embodiments of the system employ a single mixing circuit, which receives five input data streams: first pixels a.sub.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus having an input unit for inputting a video signal, a detection unit for detecting the aspect ratio of the video signal input by the input unit, an image output unit for outputting an image having an aspect ratio corresponding to the aspect ratio detected by the detection unit, and a synthesizing unit for synthesizing the output from the image output unit with the video signal.

Abstract: A method of inserting a background signal (BG) into parts of a foreground signal (FG), which parts are fixed by a predetermined key color (KC), in which method a control signal (k) is derived from the foreground signal (FG), which control signal assumes a first value when the foreground signal (FG) represents a color in the region of the key color (KC) and a second value when the foreground signal (FG) represents a different color, in which the control signal (k) has a transition range between the two values, and in which a difference, influenced by the control signal (k), between the vector of the background signal (BG) and the vector of a signal (KC) representing the key color is vectorially added to the foreground signal (FG) in accordance with Patent (U.S. patent application Ser. No. P 41 43 180.4), as well as an arrangement for performing this method.

Abstract: In a method of and an arrangement for inserting a background signal into parts of a foreground signal fixed by a predetermined key color, in which a control signal is derived from the foreground signal, this control signal assuming a first value when the foreground signal represents a color in the region of the key color and a second value when the foreground signal represents a different color, and in which the control signal has a transition range between the two values, a difference, influenced by the control signal, between the vector of the background signal and the vector of a signal representing the key color is vectorially added to the foreground signal.

Abstract: A digital video effects generator includes: means for up-sampling the digital video component signals prior to their spatial transformation and linear interpolation, thereby reducing losses due to the (sin x)/x frequency response of the sampled video signal; means for spatially-mapping video motion data representing the degree of video data motion between temporally adjacent video frames and for motion adaptive interpolation to selectively blend interpolated video field data in accordance therewith; means for pre-transform keying, thereby allowing two video signal transformations to be keyed simultaneously; means for selectively transforming portions of input video signals, thereby allowing selective keying of non-spatially transformed video into selected regions of the video image; means for selectively linking keyframes within separate effects and providing smooth parametric transitions therebetween, thereby allowing several separate effects to be combined into a single effect with smooth parametric transit

Abstract: An RGB preamplifier for a video display includes respective multipliers independently operable for adjusting the contrast of input primary and secondary video signals. The contrast adjusted video signals are added to form a combined display signal, the combined signal being applied to the first inputs of primary and secondary comparators each of which is also supplied with a respective reference DC level. The primary and secondary video signals are alternately nulled at horizontal line rate by nulling the corresponding multipliers. The primary comparator samples the combined signal when the secondary signal is nulled for clamping the DC level of the primary signal in relation to the primary reference DC level and the secondary comparator samples the combined signal when the primary signal is nulled for clamping the DC level of the secondary signal in relation to the secondary reference DC level.

Abstract: In an image display method and apparatus for displaying image data, it is determined, based upon a control code contained in received image data, whether the image data is whole image data in one frame or partial image data in one frame. When it is determined that the image data is partial image data, the content of a memory being displayed is transferred to another memory, and the partial image data is stored in the memory which is the destination of the transfer. When the transfer of the data to the memory which is the destination of the transfer ends, the content of this memory is read and displayed.

Abstract: A digital image compositing system (20) has background, foreground, key and mask busses (22), (24), (26), and (28). An analog key input (30) is connected to the key and mask busses (26) and (28) through an analog/digital (A/D) converter (32) by crosspoint switches (34). Four digital D1 video signal inputs (36) are connected to the busses (22-24) through additional crosspoint switches (34). The key and mask busses (26) and (28) are respectively connected to frame stores (38) and (40). A key processing toolkit subsystem (42) is connected to the output of the frame stores (38) and (40). A compositor subsystem (44) is connected to the background and foreground busses (22) and (24) and to the output of the key processing toolkit subsystem (42). A D1 program output (46) is connected to the output of the compositor subsystem (44) on program bus ( 48). A D1 key output (50) is connected to the output of key processing toolkit subsystem (42) on processed key bus (52).

Abstract: A method and apparatus to improve the control signal E.sub.c used in a video image compositing system so that the adjustment to achieve an E.sub.c of just zero for green objects and flesh tones, does not simultaneously reduce E.sub.c in grey scale subjects and cause print-through. The invention also reproduces a wide range of blue colors from pale blue to bright blue in the presence of a blue backing without raising a matte density control and without raising noise level. The invention also provides a second control signal, E.sub.k, that eliminates backing color spill from blond and brown hair, without affecting bright foreground white tones. The invention also generates a SHADOW CLEAN-UP signal that eliminates foreground shadows, while preserving most of the foreground detail information.

Abstract: A shaped video having an input key control signal associated therewith is processed by carrying out a first operation on the input key control signal to provide a first processed signal, carrying out a second operation on the first processed signal to provide a second processed signal, and combining the shaped video signal and the second processed signal to provide an output video signal. One of the first and second operations comprises translation. In this manner, a simulated shadow is added to the shaped video signal.

Abstract: The apparatus and method employ a variety of units, including Laplacian filters, rank value filters, edge detectors, gain units and summation units, to transform an input digitized signal of an image, the transformation being carried out for each pixel independently. The various elements are combined to produce a variety of desired visual effects, e.g. a brush stroke effect, or the appearance of a reflective chrome surface. Further, an apparatus is provided in which a conditioning unit generates a conditioning function, which enables different parts of an image to be combined in accordance with different methods. Thus, a foreground of an image could have the edge content reinforced, whilst the background has brush stroke texture added.

Abstract: A display apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image includes an image display section for displaying an image in response to an input image signal and for displaying a three-dimensional image in response to an input three-dimensional image signal when a three-dimensional image display mode is set, and a barrier display section having a barrier display liquid crystal panel of the transmitting type, for displaying a parallax barrier onto the barrier display liquid crystal panel so that a part of the three-dimensional image which is displayed by image display means can be observed from a gap of the parallax barrier in the three-dimensional image display mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for superimposing an image represented in a predetermined dot arrangement on a video signal. The apparatus includes an inputting device, a memory, a storage block selecting device and a signal switching circuit. The memory has an arrangement of a plurality of storage blocks, each of which includes an arrangement of a plurality of unit storage cells each for storing one bit. The inputting device inputs externally prepared binary signals. The storage block selecting device selects a predetermined storage block for every inputted bit information. All the unit storage cells in the selected storage block store the inputted bit information. The signal switching device sequentially reads the contents stored in each unit storage cell in synchronization with a video signal, switches the video signal and a predetermined superimposing video signal to each other in accordance with the contents and outputs the same.

Abstract: The Cloaking System is designed to operate in the visible light spectrum, utilizes optoelectronics and/or photonic components to conceal an object within it, and employs analog or digital control feedback resulting in camouflage adaptable to a changing background. The system effectively conceals either a still or moving object from view by the interposing of a shield between an observer and the object and recreating a full color synthetic image of the background on the shield for viewing by observer, thus creating the illusion of transparency of both the object and the Cloaking System. This system consists of four major elements: a sensor; a signal processor; a shield; and a means of interconnecting, supporting, and safely enclosing the aforementioned elements along with the concealed object.

Abstract: In a method, in which a control signal assumes a first value when the foreground signal represents a color in the region of the key color and a second value when the foreground signal represents a different color, and in which the control signal has a transition range between the two values, the distances between the color locations of the pixels of the foreground signal and the color location of the key color are computed for distinguishing color locations associated with foreground objects or with the key color from color locations to be associated with the transition range. Those color locations whose distance is distinguished from color locations of one or a plurality of adjacent pixels by more than a predetermined distance (not complying with a homogeneity criterion) are considered to be associated with the transition range. Intermediate values of the control signal are computed for the color locations in the transition range.

Abstract: For every point of an image in a special effects digital optical image formation method and apparatus the value of a border key signal is obtained by conducting a search for the maximum value of the subject's key signal in an analysis window centered on this point. The subject's key signals of the points in the window are delayed so as to make them simultaneous and are supplied to the same comparator which may be controlled in order to inhibit some of its inputs so as to define, for example, a circular analysis window; such a process makes it possible to obtain a regular border.

Abstract: An electronic redeemable coupon generating system which comprises an encoder for encoding coupon-related data in a television signal transmission, the transmission including picture information for display on a television monitor screen; a decoder for receiving the television signal transmission and extracting the coupon-related data therefrom; and a recording device for recording the extracted coupon-related data on a recording medium for subsequent readout and redemption. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decoder includes a display driver for displaying indicia on a television monitor screen responsive to coupon-related data being encoded in the television signal transmission. Upon observing the indicia on the television monitor screen, the user can manually and selectively extract the coupon-related data from the television signal transmission. After an optional editing function, the extracted coupon-related data is stored on a recording medium such as a magnetically striped card.