Patent US3749822A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3749822A
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Animation method and apparatus
Assignee: VEER FVD
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Filing: 1971-12-30
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Animating procedures are simplified by selecting stock film footage of typical foreground and background scenes, optically scanning the scenes to convert them into first and second sets of video color signals, and electronically combining the first and second sets of signals to effectively superimpose the selected foreground characters onto the selected background scenes, the resulting output video signals being converted into an optical image which may then be photographed. The superposition of the foreground characters onto the selected background is accomplished by initially providing the stock foreground film footage in the form of characters against a screen of a given uniform color, the characters themselves being of different color. The one video signal corresponding to the uniform color of the foreground scene is utilized to switch the sets of signals in such a manner that the first set of signals depicting the foreground is only provided at the output in the absence of the one video signal and the second set of signals corresponding to the background is provided at the output only when the one video signal is present.
Inventors
- 👤 Der Veer F Van
- 👤 B Nolan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/64; H04N9/74; H04N9/76
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
369 words
A method of making animated pictures comprising the steps of: a. preparing foreground films of characters and the like in a two-color combination against a screen of a uniform third color to provide a foreground film library of foreground film stock of typical movements of the characters; b. preparing background films of typical background scenes to provide a background film library of typical backgrounds; c. scanning selected foreground and background films simultaneously with a moving light source; d. separating the scanning light passing through each film into three separate colors; e. photo-detecting the colors to convert them into three electronic signals respectively for the three colors associated with each film so that there are provided a first set of three electronic signals derived from the foreground film and a second set of three electronic signals derived from the background film; f. passing only the second set of signals from an output in response to the presence of a signal corresponding to said uniform third color in said first set of signals and terminating the passing of said second set of signals and passing only the first set of signals from said output in response to the absence of said signal corresponding to said uniform third color in said first set of signals; g. providing stock film images depicting various given positions of a person''s lips; h. Scanning a selected lip film image showing a given lip position in synchronism with said moving light source; i. photo-detecting the light information from the scanning of said selected lip film image to provide a video lip signal; j. adding said lip signal to said first set of electronic signals corresponding to scenes on the foreground film strip; k. controlling the relative positions of the selected lip film image relative to the scanning light so that said Lip signal will be generated at a point in time to superimpose the same over a foreground character''s face at the normal location of the mouth; l. displaying the signals from said output on a television screen; and m. photographing the pictures displayed on said television screen to provide a composite film combining the lip film image with scenes on the selected foreground and background films.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
369 words
A method of making animated pictures comprising the steps of: a. preparing foreground films of characters and the like in a two-color combination against a screen of a uniform third color to provide a foreground film library of foreground film stock of typical movements of the characters; b. preparing background films of typical background scenes to provide a background film library of typical backgrounds; c. scanning selected foreground and background films simultaneously with a moving light source; d. separating the scanning light passing through each film into three separate colors; e. photo-detecting the colors to convert them into three electronic signals respectively for the three colors associated with each film so that there are provided a first set of three electronic signals derived from the foreground film and a second set of three electronic signals derived from the background film; f. passing only the second set of signals from an output in response to the presence of a signal corresponding to said uniform third color in said first set of signals and terminating the passing of said second set of signals and passing only the first set of signals from said output in response to the absence of said signal corresponding to said uniform third color in said first set of signals; g. providing stock film images depicting various given positions of a person''s lips; h. Scanning a selected lip film image showing a given lip position in synchronism with said moving light source; i. photo-detecting the light information from the scanning of said selected lip film image to provide a video lip signal; j. adding said lip signal to said first set of electronic signals corresponding to scenes on the foreground film strip; k. controlling the relative positions of the selected lip film image relative to the scanning light so that said Lip signal will be generated at a point in time to superimpose the same over a foreground character''s face at the normal location of the mouth; l. displaying the signals from said output on a television screen; and m. photographing the pictures displayed on said television screen to provide a composite film combining the lip film image with scenes on the selected foreground and background films.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of monitoring said composite film and electronically controlling the relative size, intensity, contrast and focus of the first and second set of signals to thereby enable adjustment of the foreground and background scenes so that the composite picture displayed may be appropriately adjusted to provide desired effects prior to final photographing of the same.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2, in which said foreground film stock includes characters that are stationary, moving from left to right, right to left, and forward and backward.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 3, in which said foreground film stock includes different arm and leg positions so that movements of the arms and legs may be reproduced in the foreground character when making said composite film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
405 words
An animating apparatus for making animated pictures on film including, in combination: a. a plurality of different foreground film strips showing typical movements of foreground characters in a two-color depiction against a screen of a uniform third color; b. A plurality of different background film strips showing typical backgrounds; c. light scanning means; d. first and second projection means for simultaneously positioning selected foreground and background film strips for scanning by said light scanning means; e. first and second sets of color filter and photo-detecting means receiving respectively light information from the scanning of said first and second film strips to convert the light information into sets of three video signals corresponding to three different colors so that there results a first set of video signals corresponding to scenes on the foreground film strip and a second set of three video signals corresponding to scenes on the background film strip; f. an output means receiving the first and second sets of video signals; g. switch means responsive to the presence of the video signal in said first set corresponding to said uniform third color to pass said second set of video signals from said output means, and responsive to the absence of said one video signal to block said second set of video signals from said output means; h. stock film means depicting various given positions of a person''s lips; i. means synchronized with said light scanning means for scanning a selected lip film image showing a given lip position; j. photo-detecting means receiving light information from the scanning of said selected lip film image to provide a video lip signal; k. a lip signal circuit connected to receive said lip signal and add it to said first set of video signals corresponding to scenes on the foreground film strip; l. means for controlling the relative positions of the selected lip image relative to the scanning light so that said lip signal will be generated at a point in time to superimpose the same over a foreground character''s face at the normal location of the mouth; m. video display means connected to said output to optically convert the output signals to a composite picture showing the foreground characters in the selected foreground film strip against the background scene on the selected background film strip; and n. camera means positioned to photograph said composite picture to provide a composite film from which duplicates may be made.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
405 words
An animating apparatus for making animated pictures on film including, in combination: a. a plurality of different foreground film strips showing typical movements of foreground characters in a two-color depiction against a screen of a uniform third color; b. A plurality of different background film strips showing typical backgrounds; c. light scanning means; d. first and second projection means for simultaneously positioning selected foreground and background film strips for scanning by said light scanning means; e. first and second sets of color filter and photo-detecting means receiving respectively light information from the scanning of said first and second film strips to convert the light information into sets of three video signals corresponding to three different colors so that there results a first set of video signals corresponding to scenes on the foreground film strip and a second set of three video signals corresponding to scenes on the background film strip; f. an output means receiving the first and second sets of video signals; g. switch means responsive to the presence of the video signal in said first set corresponding to said uniform third color to pass said second set of video signals from said output means, and responsive to the absence of said one video signal to block said second set of video signals from said output means; h. stock film means depicting various given positions of a person''s lips; i. means synchronized with said light scanning means for scanning a selected lip film image showing a given lip position; j. photo-detecting means receiving light information from the scanning of said selected lip film image to provide a video lip signal; k. a lip signal circuit connected to receive said lip signal and add it to said first set of video signals corresponding to scenes on the foreground film strip; l. means for controlling the relative positions of the selected lip image relative to the scanning light so that said lip signal will be generated at a point in time to superimpose the same over a foreground character''s face at the normal location of the mouth; m. video display means connected to said output to optically convert the output signals to a composite picture showing the foreground characters in the selected foreground film strip against the background scene on the selected background film strip; and n. camera means positioned to photograph said composite picture to provide a composite film from which duplicates may be made.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, including means for electronically controlling said first and second sets of video signals to vary and adjust the relative size, intensity, contrast and focus of the composite picture displayed by Said video display means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, in which the typical movements of said characters include arm and leg, movements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |