Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a digital television display, the apparatus comprising a main processor 4, a main memory 5 coupled to said main processor 4 via address and data busses, the main memory 5 being arranged to store at least temporarily video data for display, and on-screen display graphics for overlaying on video data. Mixing means 15 is provided for mixing video data read from the main memory 5 under the control of the main processor 4, with on-screen display graphic data. At least one line buffer 13a,13b is provided for storing a line of on-screen display graphic data. Hardware processing means 9 is arranged to compose a line of on-screen display graphic data in the line buffer 13a,13b by reading appropriate on-screen display graphic data from said main memory 5 and writing it to the line buffer, and for providing the composed line of data to said mixing means 15.

Abstract: A data amount of a still image to be synthesized is reduced to shorten a transmission time and to reduce a memory utilization spent by the image. The display position of the still image to be synthesized is easily changed to improve operation efficiency.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus includes a reception unit which receives moving image data transmitted from a source node, an acquisition unit which requests the source node to send information including a vendor name of the source node so as to acquire the vendor name of the source node from the source node, and a character generation unit which generates vendor name character data indicating the vendor name of the source node acquired by the acquisition unit. A synthesis unit superimposes the vendor name character data on the moving image data if the vendor name of the source node is acquired by the acquisition unit, and superimposes predetermined character data on the moving image data if the vendor name of the source node cannot be acquired by the acquisition unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modifying data in an encoded data signal 125 corresponding to successive pictures divided into sub-pictures, for providing an output modified data signal 126. In particular, this invention can be used for the insertion of an additional data signal 127 into a compressed video signal 125. The proposed schemes according to the invention are based on a transcoder arrangement including at least partial decoding means and partial re-encoding means. This method leads to a cost-effective solution compared to the prior art comprising a minimum number of functional sub-steps, in particular including a unique motion compensation sub-step 205, taking advantage of simplifications and combinations between different sub-steps.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a real time image insertion system for video utilizes a three-dimensional model of at least one target area within a site for identifying the target area within an original video image of the site, and for rendering a target image and inserting it into the target area of the video image. The target area may be a real, existing surface of the site or an imaginary surface defined only in the model. The model is rendered from the position and angle of a camera that generated the video image. By using a three dimensional model of the site to generate the target image, the resulting image with the inserted target material appears more realistic.

Abstract: A video signal processing system for processing a video data VIN and graphic data D?P includes a filter unit, which receives the video data VIN. The filter unit filters the video data VIN to convert the video data VIN into video pictures formatted with a different number of columns and/or lines, and provides a filtered video signal indicative thereof. The filter unit buffers individual pixels and/or lines in a first memory device. A second memory device receives and stores the graphic data D?P and the filtered video signal and provides stored signals indicative thereof. A third memory device is connected to the second memory, and stores data received from the second memory device. A mixing unit receives and mixes the stored graphic data and the stored filtered video data to provide a video output signal VOUT.

Abstract: A method and apparatus where a source delivers graphics data to a target, which receives and displays the graphics data. The source of the graphics data controls how the graphics data is to be displayed at the target. The source transmits a display control signal prescribing a manner in which the video signal is to be displayed in relation to the graphics data. A target receives the video signal, the graphics signal, and the display control signal, and combines the video signal and the graphics data in the manner prescribed by the display control signal to form a combined display at the target.

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: A TV system that uses a single pixmap across multiple video rasters having different raster sizes. In general, the TV system uses at least two sets of headers to select different portions of a single pixmap to be displayed based on different raster sizes. Specifically, each of the headers in a header set points to a pixel line to select number of pixels for that pixel line. The number of the headers in a header set determines the height of the pixmap and the pixel number selection by a set of headers determines the width of the pixmap. In response to different displaying modes, the TV system selectively invokes one of the two header sets to select different portions of the single pixmap. By doing so, a single pixmap can be used across multiple video rasters having different raster sizes.

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: The present invention includes a teletext decoder extracting to decode the teletext information from an inputted video signal, a video processing unit extracting to process a pure video signal from the inputted video signal only, a teletext bypass unit converting the teletext information extracted from the inputted video signal to an analog video signal form, a first synthesizing unit synthesizing to output the pure video signal outputted from the video processing unit and the teletext information outputted from the teletext decoder, a second synthesizing unit synthesizing to output the pure video signal outputted from the video processing unit and the teletext information outputted from the teletext bypass unit, and a memory storing the processed video signal and the teletext information extracted from the inputted video signal.

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: The invention illustrates a system and method of blending a virtual scene and a real scene comprising: capturing a real image of a real event from a real camera; receiving an instrumentation data based on the real event; and rendering a virtual image wherein the virtual image is based on the instrumentation data and the real image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying viewer reactions to a display object. The display object is divided into a plurality of spatial regions, viewer reactions are collected to an exposure to the display object and correlated with the spatial regions, and the display object is displayed with an aspect of the display of each spatial region being a function of the viewer reactions for the region.

Abstract: This invention provides an on-screen display device that can display an increased number of types of characters without enlarging the video RAM area. This on-screen display device includes a character generator ROM that has n (n is an integer that is equal to or larger than 3) areas, a flag holding unit that outputs an area designation flag for designating a desired number of desired areas among the n areas in the character generator ROM, a display character setting unit that writes a desired character code at a predetermined position in a video RAM, and a display control unit that reads the character code from the video RAM, reads font data corresponding to the read character code from an area in the character generator ROM, which is indicated by the area designation flag outputted from the flag holding unit, and outputs an on-screen output signal using the font data.

Abstract: When a viewer does not make a request for displaying a menu screen, a CPU inserts a closed caption signal into LINE 21 of a video signal and outputs the video signal to an analog television receiver. When the viewer changes the setting of the apparatus, the CPU performs so as to output a menu image, to generate a closed caption erase signal, and to insert the closed caption erase signal into LINE 21 of the video signal. Thereafter, output of the menu image is continued until the menu erase signal is received or reception of digital broadcast signal is terminated and in the meanwhile, the closed caption signal is not output.

Abstract: Digital watermarks can serve to indicate copyright ownership of digitized video. When video images are transmitted as transformed by discrete cosine transformation (DCT) for compression, with or without motion compensation, it is advantageous to include a watermark after transformation. To this end, a DCT watermark is generated for optimal visibility based on the original image data, and the generated watermark is superposed on the transformed data.

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: A connection device capable of mixing an RGB graphics signal and a YUV video signal. The connection device includes a graphics conversion module for transforming an RGB graphics signal into a YUV graphics signal, and a mixing module connected to the graphics conversion module for receiving a YUV video signal and the YUV graphics signal from the graphics conversion module. The mixing module outputs a YUV signal after mixing the YUV video signal and the YUV graphics signal.

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: A video display apparatus with separate display means is provided so that the textual information can be displayed without preventing viewers from watching the full picture. The separate display means can be provided for a television receiver so that textual information, which includes closed caption text and subtitles, can be displayed on the separate display means without occupying the picture area. The separate display means can be provided for a screen in a movie theater so that subtitles can be displayed on the separate display means when a foreign movie is played. The separate display unit can be used to display other textual information, including a channel number, a name of the broadcasting station, the title of the current program and the remaining time of the current program. Furthermore, the separate display unit can display information on a local weather and a local time.

Abstract: A circuit for displaying graphics in a digital television receiver includes an MPEG decoder which has as input a video data stream in digital format, a central memory for storing decoded video data and graphics data, a video output unit and a graphics output unit to which video data and graphics data, respectively, are fed from the central memory, a mixer to which an output signal from the video output unit is fed, and a switch through which the output signal of the graphics output unit is selectively fed to the mixer. Horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from the MPEG decoder may be fed to the video output unit, while horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from various sources (including those from the MPEG decoder) may be selectively fed through a multiplexer to the graphics output unit. One buffer memory each may be placed before the video output unit and the graphics output unit, respectively, each memory unit buffering the corresponding data retrieved from the central memory.

Abstract: A method for displaying a menu of a TV is disclosed, in which icons and characters are prevented, to the utmost, from being transformed in a screen mode having a variable width, such as a double window mode or a PIP mode, so that meanings of the icons and characters can correctly be discriminated by a user. The method for displaying a menu of a TV includes the steps of selecting a display mode of a TV screen, dividing a display area of the TV screen in accordance with a user's selection, determining a menu display area for displaying a menu element of the TV, and varying the size of the element having a default size in accordance with the size of the menu display area.

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: A digital video stream is digitally scaled to properly display on a device having a horizontal to vertical aspect ratio different than the source aspect ratio leaving a blank area on the device. Graphic data is digitally scaled separately to extend partially or completely into and therefore use the blank area. A compositing blender digitally combines the two prior to a display encoder which produces analog signals for driving the display device.

Abstract: A method and system for processing video signals is disclosed. The system receives a video signal, a first audio signal containing an annotation and a second audio signal containing environmental sounds corresponding to the video signal. In one embodiment the system generates searchable annotations corresponding to the video and second audio signals via the first audio signal.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method, system and program storage device for displaying textual information associated with a defined video object in video data on a video display device, comprising: sampling a video object plane to determine whether the video object is in the video object plane for displaying the video object on the video display device; updating a location of the video object in the video object plane as the video object moves during display of the video data on the video display device; determining whether a pointing device is over the updated location of the video object; and displaying the textual information associated with the video object on the video display device for a predetermined period of time.

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: A system, method and computer program product for real-time insertion of indicia (e.g., an advertisement) into a live (or taped) broadcast. Typically, the invention allow insertion with occlusion onto surfaces such as tennis courts, the wall behind home plate on a baseball field, the grass or turf on a soccer or football stadium, and the like. The occlusion processing described herein can handle multiple colors in the background image during the insertion of the indicia into a video image. The invention can thus adapt to changing light conditions in the video image. The process includes obtaining a video image from a camera. The video image is typically digitized. Next, the pixels within the video image are sampled. A plurality of background colors are then identified for the sampled pixels. An opacity value is then assigned to each pixel in the indicia based on whether the color of a positionally corresponding pixel in the video image is the same color as one of the plurality of background colors.

Abstract: A plural-source-capable, broadcast-reception, audio/video system and methodology which freely enable the simultaneous display, on a single television receiver screen, of different categories of these broadcast-information components which may be being broadcast at the same time from two different broadcast sources.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus obtains a first image and display timing information of the first image via a first channel, and a second image via a second channel different from the first channel. The information processing apparatus includes a main CPU for processing the obtained second image in accordance with the contents of the first image, and a CRTC for outputting the obtained first image, the processed second image and the display timing information to a predetermined display unit to display a combined image obtained by combining the first and second images on the display unit.

Abstract: A fireplace generally including a display driven by a controller. The display may be configured to show images associated with a fireplace. The images may be in two dimensions or three dimensions. The display may be driven by the controller, and a user interface may be provided to configure the fireplace. The display may also be driven by other peripheral components as well. The display may optionally be a flat-panel display. The display may be placed against a wall of a structure and surrounded by a decorative facade, or may be placed in an enclosure of a wall. Various optional components, such as a simulated electric glowing ember system and a retractable grate and artificial log set, may also be included.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing video and graphics data. Specifically, the present invention discloses a method and system for displaying video and graphics data of different formats and image frequencies onto the same display line. A master device that is continually streaming data of a first media type to a display at a certain image rate requests data from a source device one line at a time. The incoming line of data is sent to a FIFO buffer. A mixer associated with the master device then aligns the incoming data to the same format and image rate used for displaying the first media type. The incoming data is then displayed simultaneously on the same line with the data of the first media type. As viewed as an image, windows of video and/or graphics data are shown on a display.

Abstract: A television receiver 1 enables a decoder 5 to extract a closed caption signal of DTVCC method from a digital broadcasting signal received via an antenna 11. The closed caption signal of DTVCC method extracted here is analyzed and converted into the closed caption signal of Line 21 method. And in a DVE 6, the closed caption data of Line 21 method is inserted into the 21st scanning line of an analog picture signal converted by the decoder 5 for output.

Abstract: An image compositing apparatus of the present invention composites a video image and a plurality of graphical images together into a final composite image. The image compositing apparatus includes a first obtaining unit, a first compositing unit, a calculating unit, a second obtaining unit, and a second compositing unit. The first obtaining unit obtains the graphical images and composition information that includes an image compositing order and is used for calculating the composition ratios of the images to the final composite image. The first compositing unit composites the graphical images together into one composite graphical image according to the composition information. The calculating unit calculates the composition ratio of the video image to the final composite image according to the composition information. The second obtaining unit obtains frames of the video image. The second compositing unit composites the frames with the composite graphical image using the composition ratio of the video image.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for displaying a guide line for picture adjustment in a monitor.

Abstract: An overlay for use with a video screen having a display thereon, comprising at least one first tactilely readable area corresponding to a feature of a first graphical display on the screen.

Abstract: A periodic clock display method and system for a viewing device, such as a television set. A clock is displayed on a viewing device according to a first time interval and a second time interval. The first time interval determines how long the viewing device displays the clock. After the first time interval is finished, the clock is removed from the viewing device. The second time interval determines how long the clock remains off the viewing device. When the second time interval is complete, the clock is again displayed on the viewing device for the duration of the first time interval. This continues indefinitely until the user turns the periodic clock display function off.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for distorting add-on graphics to be composited with a streaming video feed comprising, receiving a streaming video feed captured using a real camera, said streaming video feed including an image frame taken from a particular view point and a particular field of view, said real camera introducing image distortions into the image frame, measuring a plurality of camera instrumentation data corresponding to at least said view point, said field of view, and a distortion parameters corresponding to the image distortions of the image frame, creating a virtual camera, setting the virtual view point and the virtual field of view of the virtual camera using the plurality of camera instrumentation data, generating add-on graphics having a size and an insertion position within the image frame based on the virtual camera, creating a distortion grid, distorting the add-on graphics to match the image distortions of the image frame, and compositing the distorted add-on graphics with the image frame

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modifying data in an encoded data signal 125 corresponding to successive pictures divided into sub-pictures, for providing an output modified data signal 126. In particular, this invention can be used for the insertion of an additional data signal 127 into a compressed video signal 125. The proposed schemes according to the invention are based on a transcoder arrangement including at least partial decoding means and partial re-encoding means. This method leads to a cost-effective solution compared to the prior art comprising a minimum number of functional sub-steps, in particular including a unique motion compensation sub-step 205, taking advantage of simplifications and combinations between different sub-steps.

Abstract: A video signal processing system for processing a video data VIN and graphic data D&mgr;P includes a filter unit, which receives the video data VIN. The filter unit filters the video data VIN to convert the video data VIN into video pictures formated with a different number of columns and/or lines, and provides a filtered video signal indicative thereof. The filter unit buffers individual pixels and/or lines in a first memory device. A second memory device receives and stores the graphic data D&mgr;P and the filtered video signal and provides stored signals indicative thereof. A third memory device is connected to the second memory, and stores data received from the second memory device. A mixing unit receives and mixes the stored graphic data and the stored filtered video data to provide a video output signal VOUT.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a digital television display, the apparatus comprising a main processor 4, a main memory 5 coupled to said main processor 4 via address and data busses, the main memory 5 being arranged to store at least temporarily video data for display, and on-screen display graphics for overlaying on video data. Mixing means 15 is provided for mixing video data read from the main memory 5 under the control of the main processor 4, with on-screen display graphic data. At least one line buffer 13a,13b is provided for storing a line of on-screen display graphic data. Hardware processing means 9 is arranged to compose a line of on-screen display graphic data in the line buffer 13a,13b by reading appropriate on-screen display graphic data from said main memory 5 and writing it to the line buffer, and for providing the composed line of data to said mixing means 15.

Abstract: A video signal selecting device for selectively outputting one of a plurality of input video signals to a video display apparatus in accordance with an instruction input is disclosed. The selecting device comprises a selector for selectively outputting one signal of the plural video signals, an OSD control section for displaying symbol information on uniformly colored background indicating that the selective output is executed on a screen of the video display apparatus, and a control circuit section for controlling the selective output of the selector in accordance with the instruction input, and for detecting a change of the instruction input to start up the OSD control section.

Abstract: An adaptive pixel-based blending method and system of a video processing system including steps of acquiring a first pixel value in accordance with a first index value, acquiring a first blending factor in accordance with the parts of the first pixel value, calculating a second blending factor in accordance with the first blending factor, and generating a overlapped and blended image in accordance with the blending factors and the pixel values of the source images. Thus, multiple source images can be overlapped and blended in a flexible way.

Abstract: A display system includes an illumination source configured to produce visible and nonvisible radiation and to direct the visible and nonvisible radiation along an optical path; and a modulator disposed in the optical path configured to modulate the visible radiation to generate a visible image, and to modulate the nonvisible radiation to generate a nonvisible data stream.

Abstract: An image processing method at the time of character display in an image apparatus having a section for super-imposing character display on an ordinary dynamic picture image. In the method, the level of “color depth” of the dynamic picture image is automatically controlled at the time of character display to thereby make it easy to see character display. Specifically, when character display is effected in monochrome, the dynamic picture image is displayed in a color other than monochrome. When character display is effected in a color other than monochrome, the dynamic picture image is displayed in monochrome.

Abstract: An image synthesizing system is provided that can prevent image deterioration resulting from synthesis applied to a predictive image to be used for the next frame. The image synthesizing system decodes and synthesizes a main frame and a sub-image compressed in different modes. The image synthesizing system includes a main image frame buffer 122, an alpha blending section 133, and an image synthesis and display 140. The main image frame buffer 122 stores a main image to be referred to in the next frame decoding process. The alpha blending section 133 alpha-blends a main image from the main image frame buffer with a decoded sub-image to produce a translucent composite image. The image synthesis and display 140 superimposes the translucent composite image on the main image.

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: Graphics metadata is embedded in an input video signal at a first system, to form a processed video signal which is distributed to a plurality of second systems, typically cable or broadcast systems. Each individual second system can edit the metadata and insert graphics into the video based on the edited metadata so as to form a final signal for broadcast or other distribution to viewers. Thus, each second system can provide a final signal with an appearance consistent with the brand identity of that individual second system. The metadata facilitates storage and retrieval of the video.

Abstract: Text and graphics elements may be alpha blended in a way to reduce flicker when the text or graphics are display by a processor-based television receiver. The alpha values are used to intelligently smooth pixels adjacent the element to create television text and graphics.