EP0601647A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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System for combining multiple-format multiple-source video signals
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
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Filing: 1993-12-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-12-03
Abstract
Abstract The system generates a composite image on a pixel-by-pixel basis by selectively mapping source pixels provided by video sources of different video formats onto destination pixels in the composite image. The mapping is accomplished by encoding the source pixels into digital words, each word having a colour information part and a video format identifier, used to decode the colour information part upon processing to organize the composite image. Combining video signals with computer-generated graphics data is achieved under control of the graphics data being interpreted either as video format identifier or as colour. If the colour of the destination pixel is determined by one of the video sources, the graphics data is used to select the appropriate decoding. The system permits a modular architecture and simple merging with a PC.
Inventors
- 👤 Johan Hendrik A. C/O Int. Octrooibureau Gelissen
- 👤 Robert A. H. C/O Int. Octrooibureau Van Twist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/15; H04N7/152; G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/36; G09G5/39; G09G5/393; G09G5/395; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/414; H04N21/4143; H04N21/426; H04N21/42653; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; G09G2340/00; G09G2340/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A system for creating a composite image by selectively combining a plurality of simultaneously available video signals with one another on a pixel-by-pixel basis; characterized in that the system comprises: - input means operative to receive the plurality of video signals, each respective one of the video signals having a respective video format; - encoding means connected to the input means for encoding respective ones of the video signals into data items provided at an encoder output, wherein each particular one of the data items corresponds to a particular source pixel and functionally has a colour identifier to identify a colour of the particular source pixel and a format identifier to identify the respective video format; - multiplexing means having a multiplexing input coupled to the encoder output for transferring a selected one of the data items to a multiplexing output; - memory means for storage of the selected data item, having a memory input coupled to the multiplexing output and having a memory output; - decoding means coupled to the memory output to receive the selected data item and to decode the colour identifier of the selected data item for determining a colour of a specific one of destination pixels of the composite image under control of the format identifier of the selected data item.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of Claim 1, characterized in that the memory means comprises: - a colour identifier section to store the colour identifier of the selected data item; - a format identifier section to store the format identifier of the selected data item.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of Claim 2, characterized in that the memory means has a source identifier section to store a source identifier for control of the multiplexing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
136 words
The system of Claim 1, operative to selectively combine the video signals with computer-generated graphics data on a pixel-by-pixel basis, characterized in that the system comprises: - control means for specifying whether the plurality of video signals or the computer-generated graphics data is to determine the colour of the specific destination pixel; - further multiplexing means coupled between the memory means and the decoding means for determining the colour of the specific destination pixel under control of the control means by means of: - either transferring the colour identifier supplied by the memory means to the decoding means and transferring the graphics data to the decoding means for decoding the colour identifier under control of the graphics data, functioning as the format identifier; - or transferring the graphics data to the decoding means for being decoded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system of Claim 4, characterized in that - the system comprises a graphics data generator; and - the memory means comprises: - a colour identifier section to store the colour identifier of the selected data item; - a format identifier section to store the format identifier of the selected data item; and wherein the format identifier section is a functional part of the graphics generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of Claim 5, characterized in that the control means is a second functional part of the graphics generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the memory means has a source identifier section to store a source identifier for control of the multiplexing means, the source identifier section being a functional part of the graphics generator.
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