Method and apparatus for converting monochrome pictures to multi-color pictures electronically

Claim 5

The method of claim 2, further including the step of photographing said image defining a color picture with shadows, shading and detail with a color film camera.

Claim 6

The method of claim 2, further including the step of coupling the signals driving said color monitor to a video tape recorder-playback unit and recording said signals on a magnetic tape, whereby said color picture with shadows, shading and detail can be electrically recorded and reproduced.

Claim 7

The method of claim 2, further including the steps of coupling the recorder color signals on said magnetic tape to means including a second magnetic tape to drive the same to record said color signals on said record tape for storage for future use.

Claim 8

Apparatus for converting black and white or monochrome pictures to multi-color pictures comprising in combination: a color monitor; means for scanning said picture to be converted and for producing electrical output signals representative thereof, said electrical output signals being coupled to and driving said color monitor to produce a black and white image of said picture on said color monitor; means for selectively generating color signals in pre-established increments of color brilliancy; means for storing said color signals in the locations corresponding to the areas of said picture to which the color represented by said color signals is to be applied to said picture; means for reading the stored color signals and coupling the same to said color monitor to drive the latter to produce color thereon in accordance with said color signals; said colors being superimposed with the image produced on said color monitor by said electrical output signals to thereby produce on said color monitor an image defining a color picture with shadows, shading and detail.

Claim 9

Apparatus for converting black and white or monochrome pictures to multi-color pictures comprising in combination: a color monitor; means for scanning said picture to be converted and for producing electrical output signals representative thereof, said electrical output signals being coupled to and driving said color monitor to produce a black and white image of said picture on said color monitor; means for selectively generating color signals in pre-established increments of color brilliancy; means for storing said color signals in the locations corresponding to the areas of said picture to which the color represented by said color signals is to be applied to said picture; means for reading the stored color signals and coupling the same to said color monitor to drive the latter to produce color thereon in accordance with said color signals; said colors being superimposed with the image produced on said color monitor by said electrical output signals to thereby produce on said color monitor an image defining a color picture with shadows, shading and detail.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 6 further including means for photographing said image to produce a color film thereof.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6, further including storage means for recording and reproducing said color signals on said magnetic tape, whereby said color signals can be stored for future use.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for scanning the picture comprises a video camera having a hIgh scanning rate within a range of at least 525 lines to 2,000 lines or greater.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 6, further including means coupled between said scanning means and said color monitor for converting said electrical output signals to luminance signals for controlling the ranges of color brilliancy generated by said color monitor.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for converting said electrical output signals to luminance signals further includes means for varying the contrast of said electrical output signals from said scanning means, whereby some color can be displayed in all portions of the color picture displayed on said color monitor.

Claim 15

The method of claim 1, wherein said video color signals are recorded and stored on video magnetic tape.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for storing said color signals comprises magnetic tape.