Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for converting a video input signal representing an image from a first format to a prescribed second format, comprising: (a) sync separator means (30) for extracting a synchronization (sync) signal from the video input signal; (b) clock means (32, 34, 36) for generating a sample clock signal on the basis of the sync signal and the said prescribed format; (c) sampling means (18a, 18b, 18c) for sampling the video input signal in accordance with the sample clock signal to obtain a prescribed number of samples per line of the image; and (d) combining means (22) for combining the samples of at least two different lines to obtain a prescribed number of new lines each of which comprises the said prescribed number of samples per line, whereby an array of image samples representing the image may be obtained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising: filtering means (17a, 17b, 17c) for filtering the video input signal so as to effectively horizontally average each line of the image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: encoder means (26) for encoding the samples to form a video output signal in accordance with the prescribed format.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: means (30) for extracting horizontal and vertical sync and blank signals from the input video signal; counter means (36) for providing counts of said horizontal and vertical sync and blank signals; processor means (40) for providing a control signal on the basis of said counts; and phase-locked loop means (32) for generating said sample clock signal on the basis of said horizontal sync signal and said control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 4, wherein said combining means comprises FIFO line buffer means (20a, 20b, 20c) for storing at least first and second sets of samples representing respective lines of the image and means for providing a third line representing a weighted average of said first and second lines.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for converting a video input signal representing an image from a first format to a prescribed second format, comprising the steps of: (a) extracting a synchronization (sync) signal from the video input signal; (b) generating a sample clock signal on the basis of the sync signal and the said prescribed format; (c) sampling the video input signal in accordance with the sample clock signal to obtain a prescribed number of samples per line of the image; and (d) combining the samples of at least two different lines to obtain a prescribed number of new lines each of which comprises the said prescribed number of samples per line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method recited in claim 6, further comprising the step of: filtering the video input signal so as to effectively horizontally average each line of the image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method recited in claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising the steps of: extracting horizontal and vertical sync and blank signals from the input video signal; providing counts of said horizontal and vertical sync and blank signals; providing a control signal on the basis of said counts; and generating said sample clock signal on the basis of said horizontal sync signal and the control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method recited in claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said combining step (d) comprises buffering at least first and second sets of samples representing respective lines of the image and providing a third line representing a weighted average of said first and second lines.