US4149185A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for animated conversion of black and white video to color
Assignee: COLOR SYSTEMS Tech Inc
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Filing: 1977-03-04
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Granted: 1979-04-10
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Expires: 1997-03-04
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for conversion of black and white video signals to color video signals, featuring programmable means for animated adjustment of the coloring of one or more areas of the resulting TV picture. The black and white video signal is processed through a luminance channel and two color information channels, the apparatus providing means for modifying the video signal in each channel in accordance with one or more operator-determined transfer functions, each channel further providing means for further modifying the function-modified video signals as a function of area signals generated by separate sources. The function and area-modified video signals are summed in each channel to provide the required 3 signals for a composite video signal. The process of this invention is carried out by the operator making function selections, the selected plurality of separate functions being chosen to modify color components in accordance with operator choice. Area-modifying signals are also selected, either from direct operator-controlled sources or from a variety of automated sources under operator control, the area signals being time variable so as to provide animated selected coloring.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Weinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:52
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for color conversion of an input video signal, said input video signal representing a plurality of frames defining a moving image, comprising: a. a first circuit path having first function means for color modifying said input video signal according to a first predetermined function, thereby producing a first color converted signal; b. a second circuit path controlled independently of said first path, comprising second function means for providing video color conversion according to a second predetermined function, in combination with area modifying means for video transformation which provides modification of an area of the image defined by a video signal, said second function means and said area modifying means being operatively combined to transform said input video signal into a second area-modified color converted signal; and c. combining means for combining said first and second signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for color conversion of an input video signal, said input video signal representing a plurality of frames defining a moving image, comprising: a. a first circuit path having first function means for color modifying said input video signal according to a first predetermined function, thereby producing a first color converted signal; b. a second circuit path controlled independently of said first path, comprising second function means for providing video color conversion according to a second predetermined function, in combination with area modifying means for video transformation which provides modification of an area of the image defined by a video signal, said second function means and said area modifying means being operatively combined to transform said input video signal into a second area-modified color converted signal; and c. combining means for combining said first and second signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said area modifying means comprises an area signal generator for generating a video area signal corresponding to said area, and a transfer function circuit for modifying any video signals as a function of said area signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said area signal generator comprises means for generating an area signal corresponding to a moving area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said area modifying means has a transfer function of 0 which is applied to video signals which represent images outside of said area and a predetermined constant transfer function which is applied to said video signals which represent images within said area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said area signal generator generates an area video signal representative of a soft edged area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said area signal generator is controllable to generate a moving area video signal having soft boundaries.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, comprising a plurality of primary modifying paths, each of such primary paths having a plurality of subpaths, at least one of said subpaths of each primary path containing a respective one of said second function means for modifying video signals according to a respective second function in combination with a said area modifying means for jointly producing an area modified color converted subpath signal, summing means for summing the outputs of said subpaths of each primary path to provide primary color converted signals, and input means for inputting path signals to each primary path, said path signals being derived from said input video signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein each of said second function means is controllable for controlling the said respective second function.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein each of said primary paths comprises a subpath having a respective first function means for modifying said path signals according to a respective first function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein each of said first and second function means contains logic circuitry for receiving digital control signals, whereby each of said respective functions is controllable in discrete steps.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9, wherein each of said function means contains analog control circuitry for enabling variation of each of said functions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein each of said area modifying means comprises an area signal generator, each of said area signal generators being controllable to generate a respective area video signal corresponding to a respective area of the image represented by said path signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as described in claim 10, comprising color program data input means for inputting color program data to selected ones of said function means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein said function means are controllable by data inputted thereto, and comprising color program data input means for inputting color program data to selected ones of said function means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 14, comprising storage means for storing color program data and area signals inputted to said selected function means and to corresponding ones of said area modifying means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein said primary paths comprise a Luminance path, a Red path and a Blue path, and said primary path is adjustable to pass said inputted video signals in an unchanged state.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as described in claim 12, wherein each of said area generators comprises means for moving its respective area.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7, comprising three of said primary paths for generating signals containing information translatable to standard Luminance, Red and Blue TV signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein said primary paths comprise a Luminance path, a Red path and a Blue path and said input means inputs common video signals to said Red path and said Blue path, and comprising a first color function circuit for first color conversion of said common inputted video signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus as described in claim 7, wherein said input means comprises a primary color conversion circuit for color conversion of said input video signal prior to said primary paths.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein said area modifying transfer function varies gradually from 0 to said constant at the boundaries of said area.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said first circuit path comprises a circuit for producing a continuous converted signal without area modification.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for color conversion of video signals, comprising: a. color converting said video signals according to a first function of grey level alone to produce a first color converted signal; b. performing upon said video signals the combined operation of color converting according to a second function which is independent of said first function and area modifying to modify an area of the image defined by said video signals, to produce an area modified color converted signal; and c. combining said first color converted signal and said area modified color converted signal to produce a composite color converted video signal representing one or more frames having modified color conversion within a selected area.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
114 words
A method for color conversion of video signals, comprising: a. color converting said video signals according to a first function of grey level alone to produce a first color converted signal; b. performing upon said video signals the combined operation of color converting according to a second function which is independent of said first function and area modifying to modify an area of the image defined by said video signals, to produce an area modified color converted signal; and c. combining said first color converted signal and said area modified color converted signal to produce a composite color converted video signal representing one or more frames having modified color conversion within a selected area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as described in claim 23, wherein said area modifying comprises generating a video area signal corresponding to a selected area, and area modifying video signals in accordance with an area transfer function derived from said video area signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as described in claim 24, wherein said area transfer function is substantially 0 corresponding to portions of said video signals outside of said area and a predetermined constant corresponding to portions within said area.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as described in claim 24, wherein said generated video area signal corresponds to a moving area.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as described in claim 24, wherein said video area signal generating step comprises generating a soft edged area signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as described in claim 24, comprising determining a portion of the image defined by said video signals for color conversion, and selecting the boundaries of said selected area to be outside of said portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as described in claim 28, comprising choosing said second function so that said combined operation color converts only video signals corresponding to said determined portion, whereby no color conversion takes place at said area boundaries.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as described in claim 28, comprising predetermining the movement of a given image portion of said video signals over a predetermined number of frames, and selecting said area boundaries to embrace said movement.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as described in claim 23, wherein said second function is negative at least in part.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as described in claim 23, wherein said composite signal represents a first primary color signal, and synchronously generating at least one additional respective like primary color signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as described in claim 32, wherein the generating of each of said primary color signals comprises generating a plurality of respective color converted signals and summing said plurality of signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as described in claim 33, comprising generating respective area signals and area modifying selected ones of said plurality of color converted signals with said area signals.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as described in claim 33, comprising controlling the function by which each of said plurality of signals is color converted.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as described in claim 35, comprising generating color program data representative of said function by which each of said plurality of signals is color converted, and carrying out said controlling in accordance with said program data.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as described in claim 36, comprising generating said program data in successive steps, and editing and storing said program data and said area signals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as described in claim 32, wherein said first primary color signal is a Red signal, an additional primary color signal is a Blue signal, and comprising generating a Luminance signal from said video signals.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as described in claim 38, wherein said generating of said Luminance signal involved modification of said video signals with a transfer function which is only a constant.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as described in claim 39, comprising first color converting black and white video signals according to a predetermined color program to generate said video signals.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for selective color conversion of a video signal representing a changing image, comprising: a. means for modifying said video signal by continuously color converting said video signal in accordance with a first function and modifying a selected area of said signal in accordance with a second function, to generate a color converted area modified video signal; b. means for obtaining a Luminance video signal from said video signal; and c. means for summing said color converted area modified video signal and said Lumiance video signal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for selective color conversion of a video signal representing a changing image, comprising: a. means for modifying said video signal by continuously color converting said video signal in accordance with a first function and modifying a selected area of said signal in accordance with a second function, to generate a color converted area modified video signal; b. means for obtaining a Luminance video signal from said video signal; and c. means for summing said color converted area modified video signal and said Lumiance video signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus as described in claim 41, wherein said modifying means comprises means for generating at least two independently color converted signals and means for combining said at least two color converted signals.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as described in claim 42, comprising three primary paths for generating respectively said Luminance signal and two color converted signals, and wherein each of said primary paths for producing color converted primary signals comprises a plurality of subpaths for producing color converted subpath signals and a summer for summing said subpath signals.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus as described in claim 41, wherein said modifying means comprises a single path, and comprising program data input means for inputting to said modifying means a plurality of color conversion data signals and at least an area signal, whereby said means color converts as a function of said color conversion data signals and modifies said selected area as a function of said area signal.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as described in claim 43, wherein each of said subpaths comprises a controllable transfer function circuit for modifying the video signal inputted thereto by a selected function.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus as described in claim 43, comprising a plurality of area signal generators, and wherein at least a plurality of said subpaths comprise area modifying circuits in combination with respective ones of said area signal generators for modifying selected areas in said subpath circuits.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as described in claim 45, comprising means for generating color program data signals for controlling said controllable transfer function circuits and program means for selectively inputting color program data signals to said transfer function circuits.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for area selective color conversion of a black and white video signal, comprising: a. a plurality of area signal generating means, each having an area signal generator for generating an area signal corresponding to a respective area of said video signal; b. means for modifying said video signal to obtain a plurality of color converted area modified signals, said modifying means having a plurality of circuit paths, each path having function circuit means with a respective selected transfer function for providing color conversion and area modifying circuit means for receiving a respective one of said area signals and providing modification of a respective selected area of said video signal; and c. summing means for summing said plurality of color converted area modified signals.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
124 words
Apparatus for area selective color conversion of a black and white video signal, comprising: a. a plurality of area signal generating means, each having an area signal generator for generating an area signal corresponding to a respective area of said video signal; b. means for modifying said video signal to obtain a plurality of color converted area modified signals, said modifying means having a plurality of circuit paths, each path having function circuit means with a respective selected transfer function for providing color conversion and area modifying circuit means for receiving a respective one of said area signals and providing modification of a respective selected area of said video signal; and c. summing means for summing said plurality of color converted area modified signals.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus as described in claim 48, comprising function means for deriving a signal from said video signal which is modified only as a function of grey level, and combining means for combining said grey level modified signal and said color converted area modified signals to provide a primary signal.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as described in claim 49, comprising a plurality of such apparatus combinations, each respectively color converting said video signal to provide a plurality of respective primary signals.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as described in claim 48, wherein said area signal generators generate area signals corresponding to soft edged areas.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for color converting a video signal which defines a changing image, comprising: a. monitoring said changing image while continuously color converting said video signal according to a first function; b. selecting for additional color conversion a first area of said changing image; c. selecting a larger area enveloping said first selected area; d. color converting said video signal within said larger area according to a different function, whereby said larger area receives additional color conversion; and e. selecting succeeding larger areas of said changing image which track said first area as it moves, and additionally color converting said video signal within said succeeding larger areas according to said different function while also continuously color converting all of said video signal according to said first function.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
127 words
A method for color converting a video signal which defines a changing image, comprising: a. monitoring said changing image while continuously color converting said video signal according to a first function; b. selecting for additional color conversion a first area of said changing image; c. selecting a larger area enveloping said first selected area; d. color converting said video signal within said larger area according to a different function, whereby said larger area receives additional color conversion; and e. selecting succeeding larger areas of said changing image which track said first area as it moves, and additionally color converting said video signal within said succeeding larger areas according to said different function while also continuously color converting all of said video signal according to said first function.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as described in claim 52, comprising selecting a plurality of said first areas of additional color conversion, selecting a plurality of respective said larger areas, and additionally color converting in accordance with respective different conversion functions within said larger areas.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as described in claim 52, wherein said selected area moves in succeeding time portions, and said larger area is selected to continuously envelope said selected area, and additionally color converting said video signal according to said different function within said larger area for said succeeding time portions.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as described in claim 52, wherein said color converting is performed only on grey levels found within said video signal is initially a black and white television signal, and said selected first area.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as described in claim 52, wherein said additionally color converting corresponds to a selected different function, and changing said different function during succeeding respective time portions of said video signal.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as described in claim 56, wherein said changing is performed between frames of said video signal.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for color conversion of a video signal defining a moving image, comprising: a. input means for providing color program data signals time coordinated with said video signal; b. area signal means for providing at least one area video signal synced with said initial video signal; and c. circuit means for transforming said initial video signal by color converting certain selected portions of said video signal which produce selected respective areas of the total image produced by said video signal, said circuit means including means for varying at least one of said portions with time to track a predetermined one of said areas as it moves, and means for carrying out said color converting under control of said color program data signals; and d. said circuit means comprising a plurality of paths, and said input means having means for inputting a color program data signal to each of said paths.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
150 words
Apparatus for color conversion of a video signal defining a moving image, comprising: a. input means for providing color program data signals time coordinated with said video signal; b. area signal means for providing at least one area video signal synced with said initial video signal; and c. circuit means for transforming said initial video signal by color converting certain selected portions of said video signal which produce selected respective areas of the total image produced by said video signal, said circuit means including means for varying at least one of said portions with time to track a predetermined one of said areas as it moves, and means for carrying out said color converting under control of said color program data signals; and d. said circuit means comprising a plurality of paths, and said input means having means for inputting a color program data signal to each of said paths.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-04-09 | 1982-10-09 | 1983-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-09 | 1986-10-09 | 1987-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-09 | 1990-10-09 | 1991-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |