Abstract: A caption presentation method and an apparatus using the method, by which caption and information related to the caption can be provided together in a broadcast receiver or in an image reproducer that displays the caption in a closed caption method. The method includes detecting subject information from a caption signal; obtaining visual information with respect to the caption, based on the detected caption subject information; and displaying the visual information and the caption signal together.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image inputting section through which image information containing object information and secure object information is received, the object information representing at least one object and the secure object information indicating an object that should be protected against tampering. A first image-data generator generates first image data for forming an image, the first image data being generated in accordance with the object information. A secure object identifying section identifies a secure object based on the secure object information. A characteristic information detector extracts at least a part of the object information on the secure object, the part of the object information being a characteristic information on the secure object. A second image-data generator generates second image data for forming a characteristic image representing the characteristic information. An image data combiner combines the first image data and the second image data.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus includes a graphics processing unit that outputs graphics data, which forms a first screen image, in sync with a vertical sync signal and a pixel clock signal, a video decoder that outputs video data, which forms a second screen image, in sync with the vertical sync signal and the pixel clock signal, a blending process unit that executes a blending process for blending the graphics data, which is output from the graphics processing unit, and the video data, which is output from the video decoder, and a picture data output unit that outputs picture data, which is obtained by the blending process, to a display apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a pixel array part in which a plurality of pixels with different characteristics of spectral sensitivity are arranged in an array and which converts light transmitted through the pixel into an electric signal, wherein in the pixel array part, among a first color filter pixel, a second color filter pixel, and a third color filter pixel, each including a color filter, at least a plurality of the first color filter pixels and the second color filter pixels is arranged in an oblique pixel array system, and a clear pixel having a high transmittance is arranged in an oblique pixel array system at a given position of a given row and a given column in the oblique pixel array with respect to the first color filter pixel, the second color filter pixel, and the third color filter pixel.

Abstract: In synthesizing live-action video and CG, when live-action video is shot by a moving camera, generation of CG that moves in accordance with the move of the live-action video without causing visual discomfort required a difficult operation such as programming in advance to precisely adjust the display timing and the display position of the CG. The present invention is to generate CG in accordance with live-action video shot by a moving camera with minimum visual discomfort, thereby creating a highly realistic synthesized video image.

Abstract: A control method of a display apparatus including processing a broadcasting signal of a currently tuned channel and displaying the broadcasting signal on a main picture; extracting broadcasting program information of other currently broadcasting channels if a caption indicating function of the broadcasting program information is selected; and creating the extracted broadcasting program information in a caption, displaying the caption on a portion of the main picture, and scrolling the caption along a predetermined direction. Thus, the present invention provides a display apparatus, which can create and scroll broadcasting information for the other currently broadcasting channel in a caption while the viewer is observing a main image, thus allowing the viewer to see the broadcasting information for the other channel conveniently and allowing the main image to be conveniently switched to a different desired channel, and a control method of the display apparatus.

Abstract: A deepest part searching means divides each frame of a background image into a plurality of blocks, and searches for a candidate for the deepest part of the background image which is located the deepest in a direction of the depth of the background image, a deepest part determining means selects one of the searched candidate for the deepest part of the background image and predetermined candidates for the deepest part of the background image so as to determine the deepest part of the background image, a superimposing determining means determines a superimposing method of superimposing each of the series of images to be superimposed on the background image, and a superimposing processing means superimposes the series of images to be superimposed on the background image on a frame-by-frame basis according to the determined superimposing method.

Abstract: The gist of the invention is a subtitling format encompassing elements of enhanced syntax and semantic to provide improved animation capabilities. The disclosed elements improve subtitle performance without stressing the available subtitle bitrate. This will become essential for authoring content of high-end HDTV subtitles in pre-recorded format, which can be broadcast or stored on high capacity optical media, e.g. the Blue-ray Disc. The invention includes abilities for improved authoring possibilities for the content production to animate subtitles. For subtitles that are separate from AV material, the method includes using one or more superimposed subtitle layers, and displaying only a selected part of the transferred subtitles at a time. Further, colors of a selected part of the displayed subtitles may be modified, e.g. highlighted.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to a computer-implemented architecture that can generate a map. The map can be a hybrid between an orthographic projection map and street-side images, thus including useful aspects from both types of representations. For example, an orthographic projection map is very effective at presenting global relationships among the features of the map, but not effective at presenting local detail. In contrast, street-side images show excellent detail, but do not convey the global information of an orthographic projection map. The hybrid map can thus provide a richer set of information than conventional maps, and can also display objects/features of the hybrid map in multiple perspectives simultaneously on a single representation that is printable.

Abstract: The method for modifying the content of a target area in a television image comprises generating an original image signal (PGM1) by means of a camera, processing the original image signal by adding graphics into the television image, determining the target area in the television image, transmitting further the processed image signal (PGM2) and the target area determining data, and inserting, at a later stage of the signal transmission chain, substitutive content to the target area according to the target area determining data. According to the present invention, the graphics is added into the television image according to a predetermined graphics percentage of coverage; and to the shared area of the target area and the additional graphics area, the substitutive content is inserted according to the residual percentage of coverage not covered by the added graphics.

Abstract: Closed captioning information is provided regarding the location of a speaker, and when the text is spoken. An audio/video signal includes a video data and the closed captioning information. The closed captioning information includes a time index, a closed captioning text, and positioning information. The positioning information indicates a position within a frame of the video data, and is associated with the closed captioning text for a given time index. The position corresponds to the speaker who is speaking the associated closed captioning text. A decoder device decodes the closed captioning information to determine the position of the speaker within the video data, and the time index to correlate the closed captioning text and positioning information to a specific frame of video data. The video data is preferably scaled to provide a less than full screen video.

Abstract: An information recording medium (100) on which there are recorded: a series of content information which includes an image portion which can be a background image; button information (301) for defining a button menu which allows an operation as for the content information and which is displayed during the reproduction of the content information; and play list information (120) for defining reproduction sequence of the content information by a unit of item, which constitutes the content information and which is accessible upon reproduction, the button information including a plurality of button pages (301p) each of which can constitute the button menu and whose display can be changed to each other.

Abstract: A broadcasting receiver having a freeze function and a method thereof. The broadcasting receiver has an operation reception unit receiving predetermined operation signals; a graphic driver unit continuously outputting one frame of same image signal and/or one frame of same additional data, according to a freezing command input through the operation reception unit; a scaler unit scaling the one frame of same image signal and/or the one frame of same additional data; a display unit displaying the one frame of same image signal and/or the one frame of same additional data as scaled; an on-screen-display (OSD) generation unit producing OSD data corresponding to a predetermined external operation signal input through the operation reception unit; and a control unit controlling the graphic driver unit to blend the OSD data with the one frame of same image signal and/or the one frame of same additional data and output them as blended.

Abstract: A display capable of inhibiting a logic composition circuit from outputting a signal to a gate line or a drain line at unintentional timing is obtained. In this display, at least either a first shift register circuit portion or a second shift register circuit portion includes a reset transistor for resetting the voltage supply source of a node outputting a first shift signal or a second shift signal to a second voltage supply source not turning on transistors of a logic composition circuit portion in response to an output signal received from a shift register circuit portion precedent thereto by at least two stages with respect to a scanning direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications. Preferably, the apparatus implementing the present invention includes a processor, a secondary memory and a system memory. In providing a smooth transition between two applications, the apparatus and method provides synchronization of the video and graphics components while transitioning from a first application to a second application. If there is no video component in either application, no action is needed to provide a smooth transition between applications, and when only the first application includes a video component, the video component need only be turned off for smooth transition between the applications to occur.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of inserting a watermark in an image comprising at least three components, the method comprises the steps of decomposing at least one component of the image into detail sub-bands in various directions and comprising coefficients, each coefficient being characterized by its position in the detail sub-band to which it belongs and its amplitude, of determining, for each position, information representing local amplitude variations from the amplitudes of the coefficients at this position in the various detail sub-bands and the coefficients close to this position in the various detail sub-bands, of determining a watermarking strength at each position from the information representing determined local amplitude variations in the said position and inserting a watermark composed of a plurality of binary information in the image, inserting each item of binary information at a position on the image according to the watermarking strength determined for a position corresponding to the posi

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications. Preferably, the apparatus implementing the present invention includes a processor, a secondary memory and a system memory. In providing a smooth transition between two applications, the apparatus and method provides synchronization of the video and graphics components while transitioning from a first application to a second application. If there is no video component in either application, no action is needed to provide a smooth transition between applications, and when only the first application includes a video component, the video component need only be tamed off for smooth transition between the applications to occur.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use with televisions having an internal Java engine are included among the embodiments. In exemplary systems, a PCMCIA port allows the Java engine to load and execute Java applets selected by the viewer. Provision is made for system-aware applets to run concurrently with platform-independent applets on different Java display planes that are merged for display. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a video displaying apparatus which composites information including at least one of a graphic and a text to a video and displays the composite video. The video displaying apparatus comprises a display processing unit configured to display a person area of a person included in the video and an area of the information including at least one of the graphic and the text so that the person area and the area of the information do not overlap.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for embedding artwork into a video in several phases. Initially, a segment suitable for artwork placement is identified and marked within an original video, and a container is implanted therein to determine the appropriate position and video transformations for future artwork objects. Then, an artwork provider experiments with sending artwork for each container and viewing that artwork placed within the video, until the current artwork is approved for placement. Finally, a final version, which includes the selected artwork embedded within the original video, is rendered, adapted for a distributor, and the end product is distributed and viewed conventionally. The container implantation is relatively labor intensive and therefore expensive, but costs are subsequently distributed over many sessions of different artwork placements within the same container. Typical applications are in advertising, art and fun.

Abstract: A playback apparatus, recording medium and method for providing a user interface control of video and audio media includes processing a graphics stream with one or more interactive control segments and an object definition segment of a graphics object. Multi-page information including button information and time information can present a graphics object in a state of button material and an interactive display composition as a menu display that can be transitioned in accordance with a reproduction processing of a video stream.

Abstract: Overlaying visual interface information atop a video signal without obscuring desired features of the video signal. The video signal may contain one or more pre-selected features, such as text. Two or more display sections equally divide the video signal, and any pre-selected features in the video signal are identified as residing in particular display sections. Depending on the nature of the features, the selected visual interface information is placed atop the video signal in a display section not containing any pre-selected features so as not to cover or obscure the features or is placed over specified features that do not significantly contribute to the video signal, such as blank or static screen regions. A hierarchy of preferred display sections for placing the visual interface information may be created to optimize the placement thereof. The methods for overlaying visual interface information find particular application with interactive television systems.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an input analog video signal is digitized, and an OSD signal to which a second scaling process is performed is added to the digital video signal to which a first scaling process is performed. At this point, display modes of the digital video signal and the OSD signal are changed by causing pieces of scaling data, supplied for the first and second scaling processes, to be variable based on a predetermined operation.

Abstract: An image display apparatus that prevents a transfer of data of a main image from going into wait state when two or more types of image data, which are generated by different generators, are transferred in parallel. In the image display apparatus: a first image data generating unit generates first image data, divides it into a plurality of data pieces, and intermittently outputs the data pieces which each have a predetermined size smaller than a data size of one screen; a second image data generating unit generates and outputs second image data; an image display unit displays an image represented by the first and second image data; and a transfer arbitration unit transfers the data pieces to the image display unit, and transfers part or all of the second image data to the image display unit during a period in which any of the data pieces is not transferred.

Abstract: An image scaling method for calculating a pixel value of a target pixel within a scaled image block is disclosed. The method includes selecting a plurality of reference pixels from the image block, wherein each reference pixel has a pixel value and corresponds to a transparency parameter; respectively setting a corresponding weight value for each reference pixel; adjusting the weight values according to the transparency parameters of the reference pixels; and blending the pixel values of the reference pixels to generate the pixel value of the target pixel according to the adjusted weight values of the reference pixels.

Abstract: When a digital broadcast bearing character information multiplexed with video information is received, image processing is performed in consideration of the video information that composes the background of characters to be displayed, thereby displaying the characters with high distinction without impairing the video quality. A display control apparatus comprises a CPU (12), responsive to reception of the digital broadcast, for defining a display area for characters contained in the character information on a picture displayed on a display unit (10) based on a display position, number and size of the characters; analyzes a hue of video information corresponding to the display area; and produces and displays images of the characters with a hue different from that of the video information in the display area based on a result of the analysis (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A display control apparatus for superimposing an object on a moving image composed of a plurality of frames and outputting the moving image with the object superimposed to a monitor, comprises: an acquiring unit configured to acquire a plurality of candidate regions as candidates for superimposing the object on each of the plurality of frames constituting the moving image; an analyzing unit configured to, in each of the plurality of candidate regions acquired by the acquiring unit, analyze each of the plurality of frames and acquire a parameter showing an importance of each of the plurality of frames in each of the plurality of candidate regions; a determining unit configured to determine a superimposing region for superimposing the object based on the parameters; and a superimposing unit configured to superimpose the object on the superimposing region determined by the determining unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a memory that stores a background image and a character image that is separate from the background image and overlaps the background image; a processing target area determining unit that determines a processing target area in the background image, the processing target area being in a prescribed positional relation with the character image; a background feature parameter extracting unit that extracts from the processing target area a background feature parameter that includes a feature frequency showing a frequency characteristics of the processing target area; a character feature parameter extracting unit that extracts from the character image a character feature parameter that includes a feature frequency showing a frequency characteristics of the character image; a parameter determining unit that determines a parameter for use in image processing performed on the processing target area, according to a combination of the background feature parameter and the character

Abstract: There is provided a message image display device enabling a user to grasp a content of each massage image when a plurality of message images are displayed. A display control unit (76) causes a display unit (82) to display a screen containing a plurality of message images. A judging unit (78) judges whether display of at least a part of a message image is limited by one or more other message images. A display-time determining unit (84) determines a display time of each of message images according to the judgment result of the judging unit (78). The display control unit (76) displays each of the message images over the display time of the message image determined by the display-time determining unit (84).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting distortion of characters included in an auxiliary data signal received with a video signal. The distortion is corrected by generating a signal representing a background and foreground of both a first character and a second subsequent character. The background and foreground of the first and subsequent adjacent character are then rendered. It is then determined whether the first character is rendered in italics. If so, a foreground color of the first character is re-rendered. Additionally, where a replacement character is received for the first character, it is determined whether the first character is rendered in italics. If so, the foreground and background color of at least a portion of the second subsequent character is re-rendered. A signal representing a background and foreground of a replacement character is generated. The foreground color and the background color of a replacement character superimposing the first character is then rendered.

Abstract: A recording medium storing an AVClip structured by multiplexing video stream and a graphics stream. The video stream represents a moving picture made of a plurality of pictures, and the graphics stream includes graphics data representing graphics to be combined with the pictures. The graphics stream also includes window information (WDS) that specifies a window for rendering the graphics, and that indicates a width, a height and a position of the window on a plane which is a plane memory of a reproduction apparatus that combines the graphics with the pictures.

Abstract: A video decoder 107 decodes an inputted video signal to output video information. A microcomputer 108 reads only specific compressed font data from a ROM 104 in which compressed font data is stored, decompresses the read compressed font data sequentially and stores the decompressed font data into a RAM 105. The microcomputer 108 also generates information to be superimposed on the video information by combining decompressed font data and stores the superimposition information into the RAM 105. A video synthesis section 111 superimposes the superimposition information stored in the RAM 105 on the video information.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications. Preferably, the apparatus implementing the present invention includes a processor, a secondary memory and a system memory. In providing a smooth transition between two applications, the apparatus and method provides synchronization of the video and graphics components while transitioning from a first application to a second application. If there is no video component in either application, no action is needed to provide a smooth transition between applications, and when only the first application includes a video component, the video component need only be turned off for smooth transition between the applications to occur.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes receiving an alpha component of a graphics signal, receiving a primary video signal, and receiving a secondary video signal. A portion of the alpha component is extracted and applied to the extracted portion to render the secondary video signal over the primary video signal.

Abstract: A system and method of geometrical predistortion of a graphical source signal is provided in which the graphical source signal is merged with an input video signal for display on a display device. The input video signal is received at a hardware scaler device and a predistorted video signal is generated there from. A warping map is calculated using a programmed processor and a graphics source signal is then predistorted, in software, using the warping map to generate a warped graphical overlay signal. The predistorted video signal from the hardware scaler is then merged with the warped graphical overlay signal from the programmed processor.

Abstract: Compositing functionality is provided in the form of an application program interface (API) that applications can utilize to composite images on video data that is to be rendered. In at least some embodiments, this functionality is exposed in a multimedia pipeline towards the end of the multimedia pipeline, such as at or by a renderer component. A set of methods exposed by the API permit an application to create and manage image compositing.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a display which displays an image based on an image signal. An ambient light measuring unit measures the intensity of ambient light around the display. A brightness distribution measuring unit measures a brightness distribution in a scene when the image signal is obtained. A parameter calculator calculates a correction parameter for correcting a partial contrast of the image based on the ambient light intensity and brightness distribution in the scene. A contrast correction unit corrects a partial contrast of the image by correcting the image signal by using the calculated correction parameter.

Abstract: A method and system for including non-graphic data in an analog video output signal of a set-top box. Graphics data is generated from and represents non-graphic data using software or firmware that is executed by a processor, system-on-a-chip integrated circuit, or some other component of the set-top box. The graphics data is alpha blended with video data that is extracted from a digital television signal. This alpha blending results in an alpha blended digital video signal. The alpha blended digital video signal is converted into the analog video output signal by a digital encoder function, which is preferably included in the system-on-a-chip integrated circuit. The alpha blending is also preferably performed by the alpha blending function of the system-on-a-chip integrated circuit. The analog video output signal can then be input into an analog video recorder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for superimposing a character on video for display on a video screen comprising providing a system capable of displaying a plurality of RGB pixel values on a video screen, designating a portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values to have special values, receiving video data having a first plurality of RGB pixel values for display on a video screen, superimposing a character on the video data to create a composite video having a second plurality of RGB pixel values for display on a video screen, determining if a first RGB pixel value from the second plurality of RGB pixel values is in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, displaying the first RGB pixel value if the first RGB pixel value is not in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, determining the special value for the first RGB pixel value if first the RGB pixel value is in the designated portion of the plurality of RGB pixel values, and displaying the determined special value for the fir

Abstract: When one video image (e.g., second video image) is blended or synthesized to video image (e.g., main video image), time base correction is made between both video data. A video data processing apparatus comprising a first video generator generating a first video data having an arbitrary frame rate, a second video generator generating a second video data having an arbitrary frame rate different from the first video data, and a synchronization controller using video reproduction time managed by the first video generator as a reference time, and correcting video reproduction time of the second video generator shifted from the reference time by repeatedly using the second video data to obtain frame synchronization.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method that controls a position of a caption. The apparatus includes: a caption processing unit, which identifies a non-signal area (B) including the caption using a control signal, identifies an image data area (A having the same size as the non-signal area (B), on a screen, and displays caption data of the non-signal area (B) on the image data area (A); a controller, which outputs a control signal positioning the captions to be lost in an enlarged presentation mode on the screen; and a signal processing unit, which performs image signal processing so that the caption data is displayed with predetermined images on the image data area (A).

Abstract: A system and method accurately maintaining times and scoring for a sports activity.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image pickup unit for capturing an image of a subject, an image input unit for inputting the image captured by the image pickup unit, a face detecting unit for detecting a face from the image input by the image input unit, a face position marker generating unit for generating a face position marker indicating a position of the face, detected by the face detecting unit, in the image input by the image input unit, an overlaying unit for overlaying the face position marker generated by the face position marker generating unit and the image input by the image input unit, and a display unit for displaying an image overlaid by the overlaying unit.

Abstract: A method for processing auxiliary information, such as closed caption or teletext data, in a video system enables an increased number of characters to be displayed per line. According to an exemplary embodiment, a video system (100) includes a tuner (10) operative to receive a video signal including auxiliary information representative of a first number of characters to be displayed per line. A memory (13) is operative to store display list data representative of the received auxiliary information. A controller (11) is operative to retrieve the stored display list data in accordance with a format representative of a second number of characters per line, the second number being less than the first number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for independent video and graphics scaling in a video graphics system is accomplished by receiving a video data stream, wherein the video data stream includes video data in a first format. A graphics data stream is also received, and the graphics data stream includes graphics data in a second format. The video data of the video data stream is scaled based on a ratio between the first format and a selected video format to produce a scaled video stream. Similarly, the graphics data of the graphics data stream is scaled based on a ratio between the second format and a selected graphics format in order to produce a scaled graphics stream. The scaled video stream and the scaled graphics stream are then merged to produce a video graphics output stream.

Abstract: A character display control circuit comprises a selection circuit to select and output, as one of the RGB signals, one of a first voltage, a second voltage lower than the first voltage, and one or more third voltages existing between the first and second voltages; a holding circuit in which first data, consisting of a plurality of bits, for the selection circuit to select and output one of the first, second, and third voltages, is set in response to display timings of the display characters; and a selection control circuit to supply the selection circuit with selection signals for the selection circuit to select and output one of the first, second and third voltages depending on the first data, second data associated with the selection of the first voltage or the second voltage, and third data associated with the selection/unselection of the third voltages.

Abstract: A set of customizing operations for digital content is determined in accordance with network condition of a current network communication channel between a content server and one or more receiving devices, wherein the digital content is provided by the content server for transport to the receiving device and includes multiple frames of digital video data. The set of customizing operations specify multiple sequences or paths of customized video data in accordance with available video frame rates, and a customized video data sequence is selected from among the specified multiple sequences of customized video data in accordance with estimated received video quality and network condition for each receiving device.

Abstract: This invention consists of apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture (FIGS. 1 and 2) that allow the viewer of images or video to interact with those images or video (102 and 202) in a simple and efficient manner. The system encodes information about the images or video either directly into the images or video, or into the ancillary image or video data (for example, the vertical blanking interval lines in an NTSC signal). The system sends the encoded images or video to a distribution system. Using a device which processes the images or video to extract and decode the information, the viewer receives the images or video from the distribution system. The viewer's device uses the decoded information to provide the viewer with an interactive experience. To provide this experience, the device may use information from its own local storage or cache, or it may use information obtained from a remote system.

Abstract: A method of reinserting Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) data in a digital video signal includes creating a gray scale palette in a an On Screen Display (OSD) memory; sizing a VBI area in an OSD memory; locating a VBI area in an OSD memory; generating a VBI luma waveform bitmap; and overlaying the VBI luma waveform bitmap in a DVB video bit stream according to the gray scale palette, size and location data stored in the OSD memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for color calibration for calibrating an input color. A target color represented by a first coordinate pair (X1, Y1). An input color, which is to be calibrated, is represented by a second coordinate pair (X2, Y2) and can be adjusted with a chrominance parameter Pb and a chrominance parameter Pr. The first coordinate pair (X1, Y1) and the second coordinate pair (X2, Y2) are compared to obtain a state. In response to the state, Pb and Pr are adjusted until the second coordinate pair is equal to the first coordinate pair. Therefore, the input color is calibrated to match the target color.