Video signal processing apparatus

Claim 2

Video signal processing apparatus, comprising: respective input terminals for applying a luminance signal and a color difference signal representative of a scene; first filter means having an input coupled to said color difference signal input terminal, and having an output, for generating a filtered color difference signal occupying a first region of a predetermined spatio-temporal frequency space; second filter means having an input coupled to said luminance signal input terminal, and having an output, for generating a filtered luminance signal occupying a second region of said predetermined spatio-temporal frequency space exclusive of said first region; and utilization means, including an encoder having first and second inputs coupled to the outputs of said first and second filter means respectively, for encoding said filtered luminance and color difference signals; wherein said filtered luminance and color difference signals are encoded to occupy mutually exclusive spatio-temporal frequency spaces to form a composite video signal.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said utilization means further comprises: a communications channel coupled to the output of said encoder; and a decoder coupled to the output of said communications channel for decoding said composite video signal into a luminenance component and a color representative component.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said decoder comprises: a third filter means having an input coupled to the output of said communications channel, and an output, for producing said color representative component occupying at least a portion of said first region of said predetermined spatio-temporal frequency space; and a subtractor having a first input coupled to the output of said communications channel and a second input coupled to the output of said third filter means, for subtracting the signal at said second input from the signal at said first input, and generating said luminance representative component.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said luminance and color difference signals are representative of said scene which has been scanned in an interlaced manner comprising a sequence of temporally successive frames, each frame of which comprises a plurality of fields, each field of which comprises a plurality of vertically adjacent horizontal scan lines; and said first and second filters each comprise a sampled data filter including means for combining signals separated by time intervals of one of a line, a field and a frame.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: said luminance and color difference signals are representative of said scene which has been scanned in an interlaced manner comprising a sequence of temporally successive frames, each frame of which comprises a plurality of vertically adjacent horizontal scan lines; and said first, second and third filters each comprise a sampled data filter including means for combining signals separated by time intervals of one of a line, a field and a frame.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first filter means comprises: a first filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response peak at DC; a second filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one frame and having a frequency response peak at DC; and a low pass filter for limiting the bandwidth of said color difference signal to that required for proper encoding into a composite video signal; wherein: said first, second, and low pass filters are coupled in a serial connection.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second filter means comprises: a first filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response null at DC; a second filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one frame and having a frequency response null at DC; and a high pass filter for passing that portion of said luminance signal occupying the same region of frequency space as the encoded color difference signal in the composite video signal; wherein: said first, second and high pass filters are coupled in a serial connection having an input and an output; and a subtractor, having a first input coupled to the output of said serial connection, a second input coupled to the input of said serial connection, and an output coupled to the output of said second filter, for subtracting the signal at said first input from the signal at said second input.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said third filter means comprises: a first filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response null at DC; a second filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one frame and having a frequency response null at DC; and a high pass filter for passing that portion of the composite video signal containing a chrominance component; wherein: said first, second, and high pass filters are coupled in a serial connection.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first filter means comprises: a first filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 262 horizontal lines and having a frequency response peak at DC; a second filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 263 horizontal lines and having a frequency response peak at DC; and a low pass filter for limiting the bandwidth of said color difference signal to that required for proper encoding into a composite video signal; wherein: said first, second, and low pass filters are coupled in a serial connection.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second filter means comprises: a first filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 262 horizontal lines and having a frequency response peak at DC; a second filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 263 horizontal lines and having a frequency response null at DC; and a high pass filter for passing that portion of said luminance signal occupying the same region of frequency space as the encoded color difference signal in the composite video signal; wherein said first, second and high pass filters are coupled in a serial connection having an input and an output; and a subtractor, having a first input coupled to the output of said serial connection, a second input coupled to the input of said serial connection, and an output coupled to the output of said second filter, for subtracting the signal at said first input from the signal at said second input.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said third filter means comprises a serial connection of: a first filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 262 horizontal lines and having a frequency response peak at DC; a second filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 263 horizontal lines and having a frequency response null at DC; and a high pass filter for passing that portion of the composite video signal normally occupied by a chrominance component; wherein: said first, second and high pass filters are coupled in a serial connection.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said serial connection further includes: a third filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response peak at DC.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said serial connection further includes: a third filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response null at DC.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said serial connection further includes: a third filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response null at DC.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 5, wherein any one of said sampled data filters comprises: a cascade connection of a plurality of delay elements said cascade connection having an input coupled to the input of said filter, and having outputs providing signals delayed by time intervals of one of a horizontal line, a field, and a frame time period; a plurality of weighting function circuits having respective inputs coupled to ones of said input of said cascade connection, said outputs of said cascade connection; and summing means having respective inputs coupled to said plurality of weighting means, and an output coupled to said output of said filter.

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said any one of said sampled data filters further comprises: a second plurality of weighting function circuits coupled to ones of said input and outputs of said cascade connection; and combining means having an output coupled to the input of said cascade connection, and a plurality of inputs respectively coupled to the input of said filter and to said second plurality of weighting function circuits.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: said plurality of delay elements comprise first and second delay elements; and said plurality of weighting function circuits comprise a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said cascade connection having a weighting factor of substantially 1/4, a second weighting function circuit coupled to an output of said second delay element having a weighting factor of substantially 1/4, and a third weighting function circuit coupled to an output of said first delay element having a weighting factor of substantially 1/2.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: said plurality of delay elements comprise first and second delay elements; and said plurality of weighting function circuits comprise a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said cascade connection having a weighting factor of substantially -1/4, a second weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor of substantially -1/4, and a third weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said delay element having a weighting factor of substantially 1/2.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: said plurality of delay elements comprise a first delay element having an input coupled to the input of said cascade connection, and an output, and having a delay of two of said time intervals; a second delay element having an input coupled to the output of said first delay element and an output, and having a delay of one of said time intervals; a third delay element having an input coupled to the output of said second delay element and an output, and having a delay of one of said time intervals; and a fourth delay element having an input coupled to the output of said third delay element and an output coupled to the output of said cascade connection and having a delay of two of said time intervals; and said plurality of weighting function circuits comprise a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said first delay element having a weighting factor of substantially -0.05; a second weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor of substantially +0.3; a third weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor of substantially +0.5; a fourth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said third delay element having a weighting factor of substantially +0.3; and a fifth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said fourth delay element having a weighting factor of substantially -0.05.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein: said plurality of delay elements comprise a first delay element having an input coupled to the input of said filter and an output, and having a delay of two of said time intervals; a second delay element having an input coupled to the output of said first delay element and an output, and having a delay of one of said time intervals; a third delay element having an input coupled to the output of said second delay element and an output, and having a delay of one of said time intervals; and a fourth delay element having an input coupled to the output of said third delay element and an output, and having a delay of two of said time intervals; and said plurality of weighting function circuits comprise a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said first delay element having a weighting factor of substantially +0.05; a second weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor of substantially -0.3; a third weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor of substantially +0.5; a fourth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said third delay element having a weighting factor of substantially -0.3; and a fifth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said fourth delay element having a weighting factor of substantially +0.05.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: said plurality of delay elements comprise first and second delay elements, each providing a delay of one of said time intervals; and said plurality of weighting function circuits comprise a first weighting function circuit coupled to an input of said first delay element having a weighting factor of 1; a second weighting function circuit coupled to an output of said second delay element having a weighting factor of 1; and a third weighting function circuit coupled to an output of said first delay element having a weighting factor of 2; and said second plurality of weighting function circuits comprise a fourth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor of substantially -0.195; and a fifth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor of substantially 0.369.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: said plurality of delay elements comprise first and second delay elements, each providing a delay of one of said time intervals; and said plurality of weighting function circuits comprise a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said first delay element and having a weighting factor of substantially -1; a second weighting function circuit coupled to an output of said secod delay element and having a weighting factor of substantially -1; and a third weighting function circuit coupled to an output of said first delay element and having a weighting factor of substantially 2; and said second plurality of weighting function circuits comprise: a fourth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element and having a weighting factor of substantially -0.195; and a fifth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element and having a weighting factor of substantially -0.369.

Claim 24

Video signal processing apparatus in a television receiver including a composite video signal decoder comprising: a first filter including means for combining samples separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response null at DC; a second filter including means for combining samples separated by a time interval of one frame and having a frequency response null at DC; and a high pass filter for passing that portion of the composite video signal normally occupied by a chrominance component; wherein: said first, second and high pass filters are coupled in serial connection.

Claim 25

Video signal processing apparatus in a television receiver including a composite video signal decoder comprising: a first filter including means for combining samples separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response null at DC; a second filter including means for combining samples separated by a time interval of one frame and having a frequency response null at DC; and a high pass filter for passing that portion of the composite video signal normally occupied by a chrominance component; wherein: said first, second and high pass filters are coupled in serial connection.

Claim 26

Video signal processing apparatus in a television receiver including a composite video signal decoder comprising: a first filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 262 horizontal lines and having a frequency response peak at DC; a second filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 263 horizontal lines and having a frequency response null at DC; and a high pass filter for passing that portion of the composite video signal normally occupied by a chrominance component; wherein: said first, second, and high pass filters are coupled in a serial connection.

Claim 27

Video signal processing apparatus in a television receiver including a composite video signal decoder comprising: a first filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 262 horizontal lines and having a frequency response peak at DC; a second filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of 263 horizontal lines and having a frequency response null at DC; and a high pass filter for passing that portion of the composite video signal normally occupied by a chrominance component; wherein: said first, second, and high pass filters are coupled in a serial connection.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said serial connection further includes: a third filter including means for combining signals separated by a time interval of one horizontal line and having a frequency response null at DC.

Claim 29

Video signal processing apparatus including a filter having an input and an output comprising: a first delay element having an input coupled to the input of said filter and an output, and providing a signal delayed by two time intervals of one of a horizontal line, a field, and a frame period; a second delay element having an input coupled to the output of said first delay element and an output, and having a delay of one of said time intervals; a third delay element having an input coupled to the output of said second delay element and an output, and having a delay of one of said time intervals; a fourth delay element having an input coupled to the output of said third delay element and an output and having a delay of two of said time intervals; a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.05; a second weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.3; a third weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.5; a fourth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said third delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.3; a fifth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said fourth delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.05; wherein said first and fifth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the opposite sign as that of said third weighting function circuit, and said second and fourth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the same sign as that of said third weighting function circuit; and a summing means having respective inputs coupled to first, second, third, fourth and fifth weighting function circuits; and an output coupled to the output of said filter.

Claim 30

Video signal processing apparatus including a filter having an input and an output comprising: a first delay element having an input coupled to the input of said filter and an output, and providing a signal delayed by two time intervals of one of a horizontal line, a field, and a frame period; a second delay element having an input coupled to the output of said first delay element and an output, and having a delay of one of said time intervals; a third delay element having an input coupled to the output of said second delay element and an output, and having a delay of one of said time intervals; a fourth delay element having an input coupled to the output of said third delay element and an output and having a delay of two of said time intervals; a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.05; a second weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.3; a third weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.5; a fourth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said third delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.3; a fifth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said fourth delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.05; wherein said first and fifth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the opposite sign as that of said third weighting function circuit, and said second and fourth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the same sign as that of said third weighting function circuit; and a summing means having respective inputs coupled to first, second, third, fourth and fifth weighting function circuits; and an output coupled to the output of said filter.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said first and fifth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the same sign as that of said third weighting function circuit, and said second and fourth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the opposite sign as that of said third weighting function circuit.

Claim 32

Video signal processing apparatus including a filter having an input and an output comprising: a first delay element having an input and an output and providing a signal delayed by a time interval of one of a horizontal line, a field, and a frame period; a second delay element having an input coupled to the output of said first delay element and having a delay of one of said time intervals; a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 1; a second weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 1; a third weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 2; a first summing means having respective inputs coupled to said first, second, and third weighting function circuits, and an output coupled to said output of said filter; a fourth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.195; a fifth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.369; wherein: said first, third, and fifth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the same sign as that of said second weighting function circuit, and said fourth weighting function circuit has a weighting factor of the opposite sign as that of said second weighting function circuit; and a second summing means having a first input coupled to said input of said filter, second and third inputs coupled to said fourth and fifth weighting function circuits respectively, and an output coupled to said input of said first delay element.

Claim 33

Video signal processing apparatus including a filter having an input and an output comprising: a first delay element having an input and an output and providing a signal delayed by a time interval of one of a horizontal line, a field, and a frame period; a second delay element having an input coupled to the output of said first delay element and having a delay of one of said time intervals; a first weighting function circuit coupled to the input of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 1; a second weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 1; a third weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 2; a first summing means having respective inputs coupled to said first, second, and third weighting function circuits, and an output coupled to said output of said filter; a fourth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said second delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.195; a fifth weighting function circuit coupled to the output of said first delay element having a weighting factor magnitude of substantially 0.369; wherein: said first, third, and fifth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the same sign as that of said second weighting function circuit, and said fourth weighting function circuit has a weighting factor of the opposite sign as that of said second weighting function circuit; and a second summing means having a first input coupled to said input of said filter, second and third inputs coupled to said fourth and fifth weighting function circuits respectively, and an output coupled to said input of said first delay element.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said first, third, fourth, and fifth weighting function circuits have weighting factors of the opposite sign as that of said second weighting function circuit.