US4642676A
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Priority masking techniques for video special effects
Assignee: COLOR SYSEMS TECHNOLOGY Inc 8201 BEVERLY BLVD LOS ANGELES CA 90048 A CORP OF
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Filing: 1984-09-10
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Granted: 1987-02-10
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Expires: 2004-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for priority masking of video enhancement areas of a video picture. A first enhancement conversion formula is generated for enhancing a first segment of the video picture according to the first generated enhancement conversion formula. Similarly, a second enhancement formula for enhancing a second segment of the video picture according to the second enhancement conversion formula is generated. Priority of one conversion formula over the other in the area of overlap of the two segments is established by combining the first and second enhancement conversion formulas in a manner to produce the composite enhancement conversion formula in which one of the first and second enhancement conversion formulas has a degree of priority over the other enhancement conversion formula in the area of the video picture in which the overlapping occurs. The video picture is thus modified according to the composite enhancement conversion formula. When more than two segments having their individual enhancement conversion formulas, the composite enhancement conversion formula is established such that, in the area of common overlap of the three segments, one of the first, second, and third enhancement conversion formulas has a first degree of priority over the other two, and one of the other two enhancement conversion formulas has a second degree of priority over the other one thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancement modification and conversion is the colorization of a black and white or an undesirably colored video picture.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Weinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/43; H04N9/64; H04N9/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising the steps of: generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; combining said first and second area enhancement conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal in which a selected one of said first and second area enhancement conversion signals has a degree of priority over the other of said area enhancement conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs; and enhancement modifying said first and second video picture segments according to said composite enhancement conversion signal, while enhancement modifying said area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs in accordance with said selected enhancement conversion signal relative to the nonselected enhancement conversion signal in proportion to said degree of priority.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising the steps of: generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; combining said first and second area enhancement conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal in which a selected one of said first and second area enhancement conversion signals has a degree of priority over the other of said area enhancement conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs; and enhancement modifying said first and second video picture segments according to said composite enhancement conversion signal, while enhancement modifying said area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs in accordance with said selected enhancement conversion signal relative to the nonselected enhancement conversion signal in proportion to said degree of priority.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
142 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of: generating a third area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a third segment of said video picture according to said third area enhancement conversion signal, said third segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of the first segment overlapped by said second segement; and wherein said combining step combines said first, second, and third area enhancement conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal in which, in the area of common overlap of the three segments, one of said first, second, and third area enhancement conversion signals has a first degree of priority over the other two, and one of said other two area enhancement conversion signals has a second degree of priority over the other one of said other two area enhancement conversion signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first degree of priority dominates over said second degree of priority.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, in any area of overlap between said first, second, and third segments, outside said area of common overlap, the same relative degree of priority is maintained.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 4, including the step of selectably enhancement modifying any of said picture segments according to its corresponding area enhancement conversion signal without any priority effects for the selected segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said step of selectably enhancement modifying any of said picture elements is performed without diminishing the priority effects said selected segment has on segments having area enhancement conversion signals of lesser priority.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said step of combining combines all area enhancement conversion signals for all picture segments, including those of said selected segments, maintaining said degrees of priority for all area enhancement conversion signals except those of said selected segments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, including the step of selectably enhancement modifying said second segment of said video picture in the absence of any priority by said first enhancement conversion signal, in said area of segment overlapping.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, including the step of selectably eliminating the priority effects of any area enhancement conversion signal in segments having area enhancement conversion signals of lesser priority.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said step of selectably eliminating the priority effects of any area enhancement conversion signal is performed without affecting any priority effects in segments having area enhancement conversion signals of higher priority.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said step of combining combines all area enhancement conversion signals for all picture segments, including those of selected segments whose area enhancement conversion signal priorities have been eliminated, maintaining said degrees of priority for all area enhancement conversion signals except those whose priority effects have been eliminated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area enhancement conversion signal; means for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; means for generating a second area enhancement conversion signal; means for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; means for combining said first and second area enhancement conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal in which one of said first and second area enhancement conversion signals has a degree of priority over the other of said area enhancement conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs; and means for enhancement modifying said first and second video picture segments according to said composite enhancement conversion signal, while enhancement modifying said area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs in accordance with said selected enhancement conversion signal relative to the nonselected enhancement conversion signal in proportion to said degree of priority.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area enhancement conversion signal; means for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; means for generating a second area enhancement conversion signal; means for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; means for combining said first and second area enhancement conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal in which one of said first and second area enhancement conversion signals has a degree of priority over the other of said area enhancement conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs; and means for enhancement modifying said first and second video picture segments according to said composite enhancement conversion signal, while enhancement modifying said area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs in accordance with said selected enhancement conversion signal relative to the nonselected enhancement conversion signal in proportion to said degree of priority.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
142 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, including: means for generating a third area enhancement conversion signal; means for enhancing a third segment of said video picture according to said third area enhancement conversion signal, said third segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of the first segment overlapped by said second segment; and wherein said means for combining combines said first, second, and third area conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal in which, in the area of common overlap of the three segments, one of said first, second, and third area enhancement conversion signals has a first degree of priority over the other two, and one of said other two area enhancement conversion signals has a second degree of priority over the other one of said other two area enhancement conversion signals.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first degree of priority dominates over said second degree of priority.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said combining means is operative, in any area of overlap between said first, second, and third segments, outside said area of common overlap, to maintain the same relative degree of priority.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, including means for selectably enhancement modifying any of said picture segments according to its corresponding area enhancement conversion signal without any priority effects for the selected segment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means for selectably enhancement modifying any of said picture elements is operative without diminishing the priority effects said selected segment has on segments having area enhancement conversion signals of lesser priority.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said combining means includes means for combining all area enhancement conversion signals for all picture segments, including those of said selected segments, while maintaining said degree of priority for all area enhancement conversion signals except those of said selected segments.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, including means for selectably enhancement modifying said second segment of said video picture in the absence of any priority by said first area enhancement conversion signal, in said area of segment overlapping.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, including means for selectably eliminating the priority effects of any area enhancement conversion signal in segments having area enhancement conversion signals of lesser priority.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said means for selectably eliminating the priority effects of any area enhancement conversion signal is operative without affecting any priority effects in segments having area enhancement conversion signals of higher priority.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein said means for combining includes means for combining all area enhancement conversion signals for all picture segments, including those of selected segments whose area enhancement conversion signal priorities have been eliminated, while maintaining said degrees of priority for all area enhancement conversion signals except those whose priority effects have been eliminated.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
261 words
An apparatus for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; means for generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; a first mask generating means for generating a first electronic picture segment mask within which said first area enhancement conversion signal is to be operative; a second mask generating means for generating a second electronic picture segment mask within which said second area enhancement conversion signal is to be operative; means for coupling respective area enhancement conversion signal generating means and said first and second mask generating means to produce respective first and second area enhancement conversion signals operative only within the boundries of the respective electronic picture segment mask; summing means for summing the masked first and second area enhancement conversion signals to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal; priority generating means coupled between said first and second mask generating means and said combining means for setting a degree of priority of one of said first and second area enhancement conversion signals over the other of said area enhancement conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said overlapping occurs; and means for enhancement modifying said video picture according to said composite enhancement conversion signal.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
261 words
An apparatus for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; means for generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; a first mask generating means for generating a first electronic picture segment mask within which said first area enhancement conversion signal is to be operative; a second mask generating means for generating a second electronic picture segment mask within which said second area enhancement conversion signal is to be operative; means for coupling respective area enhancement conversion signal generating means and said first and second mask generating means to produce respective first and second area enhancement conversion signals operative only within the boundries of the respective electronic picture segment mask; summing means for summing the masked first and second area enhancement conversion signals to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal; priority generating means coupled between said first and second mask generating means and said combining means for setting a degree of priority of one of said first and second area enhancement conversion signals over the other of said area enhancement conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said overlapping occurs; and means for enhancement modifying said video picture according to said composite enhancement conversion signal.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising the steps of: generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; generating a first electronic picture segement mask with which said first area enhancement conversion signal is to be operative; generating a second electronic picture segment mask within which said second area enhancement conversion signal is to be operative; enabling respective first and second area enhancement conversion signals only within the boundries of their respective electronic picture segment mask; summing the masked first and second area enhancement conversion signals to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal; setting a degree of priority of one of said first and second area enhancement conversion signals over the other of said area enhancement conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said overlapping occurs; and enhancement modifying said video picture according to said composite enhancement conversion signal.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
206 words
A method for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising the steps of: generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; generating a first electronic picture segement mask with which said first area enhancement conversion signal is to be operative; generating a second electronic picture segment mask within which said second area enhancement conversion signal is to be operative; enabling respective first and second area enhancement conversion signals only within the boundries of their respective electronic picture segment mask; summing the masked first and second area enhancement conversion signals to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal; setting a degree of priority of one of said first and second area enhancement conversion signals over the other of said area enhancement conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said overlapping occurs; and enhancement modifying said video picture according to said composite enhancement conversion signal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for priority color modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising the steps of: generating a first area color conversion signal for color converting a first segment of said video picture according to said first area color conversion signal; generating a second area color conversion signal for color converting a second segment of said video picture according to said second area color conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; combining said first and second area color conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite color conversion signal in which one of said first and second area color conversion signals has a degree of priority over the other of said area color conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs; and color modifying said video picture according to said composite color conversion signal.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for priority color modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising the steps of: generating a first area color conversion signal for color converting a first segment of said video picture according to said first area color conversion signal; generating a second area color conversion signal for color converting a second segment of said video picture according to said second area color conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; combining said first and second area color conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite color conversion signal in which one of said first and second area color conversion signals has a degree of priority over the other of said area color conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs; and color modifying said video picture according to said composite color conversion signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
143 words
The method as claimed in claim 25, including the step of: generating a third area color conversion signal for color converting a third segment of said video picture according to said third area color conversion signal, said third segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of the first segment overlapped by said second segment; and wherein said combining step combines said first, second, and third area color conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite color conversion signal in which, in the area of common overlap of the three segments, one of said first, second, and third area color conversion signals has a first degree of priority over the other two, and one of said other two area color conversion signals has a second degree of priority over the other one of said other two area color conversion signals.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said step of combining combines all area color conversion signals for all picture segments, including those of said selected segments, maintaining said degrees of priority for all area color conversion signals except those of said selected segments.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as claimed in claim 25, including the step of selectably color modifying said second segment of said video picture in the absence of any priority by said first area color conversion signal, in said area of segment overlapping.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 26, including the step of selectably eliminating the priority effects of any area color conversion signal in segments having area color conversion signals of lesser priority.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for priority color modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area color conversion signal; means for color converting a first segment of said video picture according to said first area color conversion signal; means for generating a second area color conversion signal; means for color converting a second segment of said video picture according to said second area color conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; means for combining said first and second area color conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite color conversion signal in which one of said first and second area color conversion signals has a degree of priority over the other of said area color conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs; and means for modifying said video picture according to said composite color conversion signal.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for priority color modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area color conversion signal; means for color converting a first segment of said video picture according to said first area color conversion signal; means for generating a second area color conversion signal; means for color converting a second segment of said video picture according to said second area color conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; means for combining said first and second area color conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite color conversion signal in which one of said first and second area color conversion signals has a degree of priority over the other of said area color conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said segment overlapping occurs; and means for modifying said video picture according to said composite color conversion signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
144 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, including: means for generating a third area color conversion signal; means for color converting a third segment of said video picture according to said third area color conversion signal, said third segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of the first segment overlapped by said second segment; and wherein said means for combining combines said first, second, and third area color conversion signals in a manner to produce a composite color conversion signal in which, in the area of common overlap of the three segments, one of said first, second, and third area color conversion signals has a first degree of priority over the other two, and one of said other two area color conversion signals has a second degree of priority over the other one of said other two area color conversion signals.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said combining means includes means for combining all area color conversion signals for all picture segments, including those of said selected segments, while maintaining said degrees of priority for all color conversion signals except those of said selected segments.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, including means for selectably color modifying said second segment of said video picture in the absence of any priority by said first area color conversion signal, in said area of segment overlapping.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, including means for selectably eliminating the priority effects of any area color conversion signal in segments having area color conversion signal of lesser priority.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
263 words
The apparatus for priority color modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area color conversion signal for color converting a first segment of said video picture according to said first area color conversion signal; means for generating a second area color conversion signal for color converting a second segment of said video picture according to said second area color conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; a first mask generating means for generating a first electronic picture segment mask within which said first area color conversion signal is to be operative; a second mask generating means for generating a second electronic picture segment mask within which said second area color conversion signal is to be operative; means for coupling respective area color conversion signal generating means and said first and second mask generating means to produce respective first and second area color conversion signals present only within the boundries of the respective electronic picture segment mask; summing means for summing the masked first and second area color conversion signals to produce a composite color conversion signal; means for color modifying said video picture according to said composite color conversion signal; and priority generating means coupled between said first and second mask generating means and said combining means for setting a degree of priority of one of said first and second area color conversion signals over the other of said area color conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said overlapping occurs.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
263 words
The apparatus for priority color modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area color conversion signal for color converting a first segment of said video picture according to said first area color conversion signal; means for generating a second area color conversion signal for color converting a second segment of said video picture according to said second area color conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; a first mask generating means for generating a first electronic picture segment mask within which said first area color conversion signal is to be operative; a second mask generating means for generating a second electronic picture segment mask within which said second area color conversion signal is to be operative; means for coupling respective area color conversion signal generating means and said first and second mask generating means to produce respective first and second area color conversion signals present only within the boundries of the respective electronic picture segment mask; summing means for summing the masked first and second area color conversion signals to produce a composite color conversion signal; means for color modifying said video picture according to said composite color conversion signal; and priority generating means coupled between said first and second mask generating means and said combining means for setting a degree of priority of one of said first and second area color conversion signals over the other of said area color conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said overlapping occurs.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of priority color modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: generating a first area color conversion signal for color converting a first segment of said video picture according to said first area color conversion signal; generating a second area color conversion signal for color converting a second segment of said video picture according to said second area color conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; generating a first electronic picture segment mask within which said first area color conversion signal is to be operative; generating a second electronic picture segment mask within which said second area color conversion signal is to be operative; enabling respective first and second area color conversion signals only within the boundries of their respective electronic picture segment mask; summing the masked first and second area color conversion signals to produce a composite color conversion signal; setting a degree of priority of one of said first and second area color conversion signals over the other of said area color conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said overlapping occurs; and color modifying said video picture according to said composite color conversion signal.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
205 words
A method of priority color modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: generating a first area color conversion signal for color converting a first segment of said video picture according to said first area color conversion signal; generating a second area color conversion signal for color converting a second segment of said video picture according to said second area color conversion signal, said second segment, at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; generating a first electronic picture segment mask within which said first area color conversion signal is to be operative; generating a second electronic picture segment mask within which said second area color conversion signal is to be operative; enabling respective first and second area color conversion signals only within the boundries of their respective electronic picture segment mask; summing the masked first and second area color conversion signals to produce a composite color conversion signal; setting a degree of priority of one of said first and second area color conversion signals over the other of said area color conversion signals in the area of said video picture in which said overlapping occurs; and color modifying said video picture according to said composite color conversion signal.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising the steps of: generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment segment at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; generating a first electronic picture segment mask defining said first segment and having a value M1 within the boundaries of said first mask and the value (0) outside the boundaries of said mask; multiplying said first electronic picture segment mask by a factor (1); generating a second electronic picture segment mask defining said second picture segment and having a value M2 within the boundaries of said second mask, and a value (0) outside the boundaries of said second mask; multiplying said second electronic picture segment mask by the factor (1-M1); summing the masked first and second area enhancement conversion signals to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal; and enhancement modifying said video picture according to said composite enhancement conversion signal; wherein M1 and M2 have any value between 0 and 1.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising the steps of: generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment segment at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; generating a first electronic picture segment mask defining said first segment and having a value M1 within the boundaries of said first mask and the value (0) outside the boundaries of said mask; multiplying said first electronic picture segment mask by a factor (1); generating a second electronic picture segment mask defining said second picture segment and having a value M2 within the boundaries of said second mask, and a value (0) outside the boundaries of said second mask; multiplying said second electronic picture segment mask by the factor (1-M1); summing the masked first and second area enhancement conversion signals to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal; and enhancement modifying said video picture according to said composite enhancement conversion signal; wherein M1 and M2 have any value between 0 and 1.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
121 words
The method as claimed in claim 37, including the steps of: generating n additional area enhancement conversion signals for enhancing n segments of said video picture according to said n area enhancement conversion signals; generating n additional electronic picture segment masks defining respective n picture segments and having a value Mn within the boundaries of said n mask and having a value (0) outside the boundaries of said n mask; multiplying said n electronic picture segment mask by a factor (1-M n-1 ) . . . (1-M1); and wherein said summing step includes summing said n area enhancement conversion signals along with said first and second area enhancement conversion signals, and wherein M n-1 has any value between 0 and 1.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
226 words
Apparatus for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; means for generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment segment at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; means for generating a first electronic picture segment mask defining said first segment and having a value M1 within the boundaries of said first mask and the value (0) outside the boundaries of said mask; means for multiplying said first electronic picture segment mask by a factor (1); means for generating a second electronic picture segment mask defining said second picture segment and having a value M2 within the boundaries of said second mask, and a value (0) outside the boundaries of said second mask; means for multiplying said second electronic picture segment mask by the factor (1-M1); summing means for summing the masked first and second area enhancement conversion signals to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal; and means for enhancement modifying said video picture according to said composite enhancement conversion signal; wherein M1 and M2 have any value between 0 and 1.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
226 words
Apparatus for priority enhancement modifying a specified area of a video picture, comprising: means for generating a first area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a first segment of said video picture according to said first area enhancement conversion signal; means for generating a second area enhancement conversion signal for enhancing a second segment of said video picture according to said second area enhancement conversion signal, said second segment segment at least in part, overlapping at least a part of said first segment; means for generating a first electronic picture segment mask defining said first segment and having a value M1 within the boundaries of said first mask and the value (0) outside the boundaries of said mask; means for multiplying said first electronic picture segment mask by a factor (1); means for generating a second electronic picture segment mask defining said second picture segment and having a value M2 within the boundaries of said second mask, and a value (0) outside the boundaries of said second mask; means for multiplying said second electronic picture segment mask by the factor (1-M1); summing means for summing the masked first and second area enhancement conversion signals to produce a composite enhancement conversion signal; and means for enhancement modifying said video picture according to said composite enhancement conversion signal; wherein M1 and M2 have any value between 0 and 1.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
126 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 39, including: means for generating n additional area enhancement conversion signals for enhancing n segments of said video picture according to said n area enhancement conversion signals; means for generating n additional electronic picture segment masks defining respective n picture segments and having a value Mn within the boundaries of said n mask and having a value (0) outside the boundaries of said n mask; means for multiplying said n electronic picture segment mask by a factor (1-M n-1 ) . . . (1-M1); and wherein said summing means includes means for summing said n area enhancement conversion signals along with said first and second area enhancement conversion signals, and wherein M n-1 has any value between 0 and 1.
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-02-09 | 1994-08-11 | 1995-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-02-09 | 1998-08-11 | 1999-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |