US4553176A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Video recording and film printing system quality-compatible with widescreen cinema
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-12-31
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Granted: 1985-11-12
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Expires: 2001-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Red, green, and blue signals from a video camera are separately recorded. In preparation for this, the three signals (advantageously generated at twenty-four frames per second and more than 655 noninterlaced raster lines per frame) are first applied to three separate low-pass filters, which pass up to at least eight and preferably more than fourteen megahertz. The filter output signals then frequency modulate three separate carriers, each of frequency at least two megahertz greater than the filter passband. The three frequency-modulated carriers are simultaneously recorded on parallel tracks. The three separately recorded FM carriers are subject to editing, traveling-matte combination with other triplets of carriers, and other special effects--while preserving wideband detail. The final three-track recording is used to generate a widescreen color film negative: The tracks can be conformed into a single monochrome video track, with each set of three color frames placed in sequence. This track is used in an electron-beam recorder to make a monochrome film, in turn used to create a color film negative or positive--by the dye-transfer process, or by exposing color negative stock to primary color lights through the monochrome frames. Alternatively the three-color film can be prepared directly from the three-track video tape by use of a three-light-beam apparatus that scans the film under control of the video recordings--preferably scanning only across the film, while the film is continuously advanced. Resulting film resolution can exceed that of conventional widescreen film.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Mendrala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/84; H04N5/843; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/80; H04N9/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of color video recording in preparation for image transfer to motion picture film, the method comprising the steps of: generating a multiplicity of video frames in sequence, each video frame comprising a set of three simultaneous independent video primary color signals, each set containing image information that corresponds to a single visual image in color; recording the set of three independent primary color signals for each frame simultaneously on three corresponding independent monochrome storage channels of a video signal triple parallel-readout storage medium; after the recording step, transferring the signals from at least two of the three storage channels to sequential-readout video storage means, by editing at least two of each set of three simultaneous signals from the parallel-readout storage medium into a set of corresponding sequential signal frames on the sequential-readout storage means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of color video recording in preparation for image transfer to motion picture film, the method comprising the steps of: generating a multiplicity of video frames in sequence, each video frame comprising a set of three simultaneous independent video primary color signals, each set containing image information that corresponds to a single visual image in color; recording the set of three independent primary color signals for each frame simultaneously on three corresponding independent monochrome storage channels of a video signal triple parallel-readout storage medium; after the recording step, transferring the signals from at least two of the three storage channels to sequential-readout video storage means, by editing at least two of each set of three simultaneous signals from the parallel-readout storage medium into a set of corresponding sequential signal frames on the sequential-readout storage means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the sequential-readout storage means are a monochrome video tape: said method also comprising impressing color-black information onto the monochrome tape; and wherein the transfering step comprises transfering signals from all three of the parallel channels to the monochrome tape, and spacing the three sequential frames apart on the monochrome tape so that they are separated by approximately full frames of color-black information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 2, in combination with the later step of: using the signals edited into sequential signal frames on the monochrome taps to generate a series of corresponding sequential images on monochrome film by electron-beam recording, pulling down the film during playback of the color-black frames on the monochrome tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 where in the generating, recording and transfering steps are carried out using substantially 24-frame-per-second video format.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
41 words
The method of any one of claims 1, 2 and 4 wherein: the generating, recording and transfering steps are carried out using bandwidth exceeding eight megahertz; and the recording step is carried out using carrier frequency of at least ten megahertz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the generating, recording and transfering steps are carried out using at least 655 raster lines per frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the generating step comprises: producing a set of three simultaneous independent primary color signals for each video frame of a foreground image; producing a set of three simultaneous independent primary color signals for each video frame of a background image; and combining the foreground and background sets of signals to form a composite set of three simultaneous independent primary color signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 7 wherein each of the producing steps comprises exposing the photosensitive element of a video camera to a foreground or background scene, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
The method of claim 8, using sequential-readout storage means in the form of a monochrome video tape: said method also comprising impressing color-black information onto the monochrome tape; and wherein the transfering step comprises transfering signals from all three of the parallel channels to the monochrome tape, and spacing the sequential frames apart on the monochrome tape so that they are separated by approximately full frames of color-black information; and wherein the generating, recording and transfering steps are carried out using substantially 24-frame-per-second video format, bandwidth exceeding eight megahertz, and at least 655 raster lines per frame, without interlacing and without color encoding or subcarrier; and the recording step is carried out using a carrier frequency of at least ten megahertz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 9, in combination with the later step of: using the signals edited into sequential signal frames on the monochrome tape to generate a series of corresponding sequential images on monochrome film by electron-beam recording, pulling down the film during playback of the color-black frames of the monochrome tape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1, in combination with the later step of: using the signals edited into sequential signal frames on the sequential-readout storage means to generate a series of corresponding sequential images on monochrome film by electron-beam recording.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
The method of claim 11 wherein: signals originating from all of the three storage channels are employed to generate corresponding sequential images on monochrome film, the signals from the third of the three storage channels being either: taken from that channel substantially without intermediate storage, for employment in electron-beam recording; or transfered to the sequential-readout storage means in the aforesaid transfering step of claim 1, and then used to generate film images in the aforesaid using step of claim 11; whereby a mutually corresponding set of three monochrome film frames is produced from each video frame, each monochrome film frame carrying primary color information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method combination of claim 12, in combination with the later step of superposing the color information from each set of three corresponding monochrome film frames to construct a color film positive for projection.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method combination of claim 13 wherein the superposition is by the dye-transfer process.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method combination of claim 13 wherein the superposition is by exposing each frame of color negative stock to a corresponding set of three corresponding monochrome film frames, using primary color lights for each exposure which correspond substantially to the video color primaries used in the producing steps.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein such sequential-readout storage means are a video disc or an array of digital electronic registers, and wherein: said method comprises impressing all three of such signals onto such disc or onto such register array.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 1, wherein such sequential-readout storage means are a video disc or an array of digital electronic registers, and wherein: the signals from one of such three storage channels are passed from that channel, substantially without intermediate storage, to a device for exposing monochrome film in accordance with video information; and the signals from the other two of such three storage channels are passed from those two channels to the sequential-readout storage means, for subsequent sequential readout therefrom to the film-exposing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A video-signal recording produced by the method of any of claims 1, 2, 4, 7 through 9, 16, and 17.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of color video recording in preparation for image transfer to motion picture film, the method comprising the steps of: generating a multiplicity of video frames in sequence, each video frame comprising a set of three simultaneous independent video primary color signals, each set containing image information that corresponds to a single visual image in color; recording the set of three independent primary color signals for each frame simultaneously on three corresponding independent monochrome storage channels of a video signal triple parallel-readout storage medium; the foregoing steps in combination with the later step of using the three recorded primary color signals to control the intensity of three corresponding light beams directed to photosensitive color motion-picture film, whereby said visual image information is substantially reproduced on the color film.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of color video recording in preparation for image transfer to motion picture film, the method comprising the steps of: generating a multiplicity of video frames in sequence, each video frame comprising a set of three simultaneous independent video primary color signals, each set containing image information that corresponds to a single visual image in color; recording the set of three independent primary color signals for each frame simultaneously on three corresponding independent monochrome storage channels of a video signal triple parallel-readout storage medium; the foregoing steps in combination with the later step of using the three recorded primary color signals to control the intensity of three corresponding light beams directed to photosensitive color motion-picture film, whereby said visual image information is substantially reproduced on the color film.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 19, wherein the generating step comprises: producing a set of three simultaneous independent primary color signals for each video frame of a foreground image; producing a set of three simultaneous independent primary color signals for each video frame of a background image; and combining the foreground and background sets of signals to form a composite set of three simultaneous independent primary color signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 20, wherein each of the producing steps comprises exposing the photosensitive element of a video camera to a foreground or background scene, respectively.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the signal-using step comprises in effect superposing a small, generally unsynchronized a.c. signal on the vertical control signal for each light beam, to provide the visual effect of smoothing out the visual image on the film.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A video-signal storage medium, having impressed thereon three independent primary color video signals, without color encoding and without color subcarrier; said three signals as impressed being adapted for simultaneous playback.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A video-signal storage medium, having impressed thereon three independent primary color video signals, without color encoding and without color subcarrier; said three signals as impressed being adapted for simultaneous playback.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medium of claim 23 wherein the signals have video frame rate of 24 frames per second.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium of claim 23 wherein the signals as impressed on the medium have signal bandwidth exceeding eight megahertz and carrier frequency exceeding ten megahertz.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The medium of claim 25 wherein the signals have video frame rate of 24 frames per second.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The medium of claim 25: in the form of a single unitary medium with all three said color signals impressed upon it; and wherein the signals are noninterlaced and have video frame rate of 24 frames per second.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medium of claim 27 wherein the signals as impressed on the medium have signal bandwidth exceeding fourteen megahertz and carrier frequency exceeding seventeen megahertz.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The medium of claim 23, in the form of three separate monochrome recording media adapted for synchronous operation, each of the three monochrome media having impressed upon it one of said three color signals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The medium of claim 23, in the form of a single unitary medium with all three said color signals impressed upon it.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
10 words
The medium of claim 23 wherein the signals are noninterlaced.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
21 words
The medium of any one of claims 23 through 28, wherein the signals have at least 655 raster lines per frame.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3852520A
Cited
US3752906A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-11 | 1989-05-13 | 1989-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-11 | 1993-05-13 | 1993-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-11 | 1997-05-13 | 1997-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |