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US4774583A
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US
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Video signal processing systems
Assignee: Quantel Ltd
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Filing: 1985-02-06
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Granted: 1988-09-27
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Expires: 2005-02-06
Abstract
Abstract A video signal processing system in which a number of video image signals are combined to provide an output which is such that where several objects of the input images overlay so they appear to be at different distances. Each input video signal is provided with a priority signal and a series of contests are held within the processor so that the final image consists of the two video signals with the highest priority. A key signal is provided for the video signal with the highest priority.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul R. N. Kellar
- 👤 Robin A. Cawley
- 👤 Neil R. Hinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262; H04N5/272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A video signal processing system for combining a plurality of images comprising: a plurality of sources each of which provides video signals representing a respective image and priority signals for the respective image; a series of selector stages connected to each other and to the sources such that each selector stage in the series: (i) receives as its inputs said video signals and priority signals from a respective one of said sources and video signals and priority signals from a preceding selector stage, if any, in the series, and (ii) selects from among said inputs selected video signals and priority signals on the basis of the priority signals received as said inputs, and provides as its outputs the selected video signals and priority signals, and transmits said outputs to a next selector stage, if any, in the series; and means for combining the selected video signals provided as said outputs by the last selector stage in the series to produce output video signals, and wherein each said selector stage comprises means for selecting from among said inputs and for providing as its first and second outputs, the video signals which have the highest and the second highest priority signals but not video signals which have lower priority signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A video signal processing system for combining a plurality of images comprising: a plurality of sources each of which provides video signals representing a respective image and priority signals for the respective image; a series of selector stages connected to each other and to the sources such that each selector stage in the series: (i) receives as its inputs said video signals and priority signals from a respective one of said sources and video signals and priority signals from a preceding selector stage, if any, in the series, and (ii) selects from among said inputs selected video signals and priority signals on the basis of the priority signals received as said inputs, and provides as its outputs the selected video signals and priority signals, and transmits said outputs to a next selector stage, if any, in the series; and means for combining the selected video signals provided as said outputs by the last selector stage in the series to produce output video signals, and wherein each said selector stage comprises means for selecting from among said inputs and for providing as its first and second outputs, the video signals which have the highest and the second highest priority signals but not video signals which have lower priority signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A video signal processing system as claimed in claim 1, further including means for providing reference video and priority signals as inputs to the initial selector stage in the series.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A video signal processing system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for providing, as inputs to the respective selector stages, key signals for the video signals representing the images provided by said sources.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A video signal processing system as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said selector stages comprises means for including among its outputs the key signals for at least some of the video signals provided as outputs of that stage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A video signal processing system as claimed in claim 4, further comprising means for transmitting from each of said selector stages to the next selector stage, if any, the key signals for the video signals having the highest priority signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A video signal processing system as claimed in claim 4, in which said means for combining selected video signals includes multipliers which multiply the key signals provided as said outputs of the last selector stage in the series and the inverse of said key signal by respective video signals which also are provided as outputs of said last stage.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of video signal processing for combining a plurality of video images comprising the steps of: providing a sequence of digital video signals and associated priority signals relating to respective images; selecting digital video signals representing two or more iamges at one selector stage and transmitting the selected digital video signals to a further selector stage, said selection being dependent upon the priority signals associated with said respective images; and combining said selected digital video signals transmitted to a last selector stage to produce a sequence of output video signals.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of video signal processing for combining a plurality of video images comprising the steps of: providing a sequence of digital video signals and associated priority signals relating to respective images; selecting digital video signals representing two or more iamges at one selector stage and transmitting the selected digital video signals to a further selector stage, said selection being dependent upon the priority signals associated with said respective images; and combining said selected digital video signals transmitted to a last selector stage to produce a sequence of output video signals.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
119 words
A system comprising: video sources providing respective video signals representing respective images and priority signals for said images; selector stages arranged in a series in which each selector stage receives as its inputs (i) video signals and priority signals provided by a respective video source and (ii) video signals and priority signals provided as outputs of a preceding selector stage, if any, in the series, and provides as its outputs a subset of more than one of said inputs, selected on the basis of the priority signals received as said inputs; and a network for combining the video signals provided as outputs by the last selector stage in the series to thereby produce video signals representing a combined image.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
119 words
A system comprising: video sources providing respective video signals representing respective images and priority signals for said images; selector stages arranged in a series in which each selector stage receives as its inputs (i) video signals and priority signals provided by a respective video source and (ii) video signals and priority signals provided as outputs of a preceding selector stage, if any, in the series, and provides as its outputs a subset of more than one of said inputs, selected on the basis of the priority signals received as said inputs; and a network for combining the video signals provided as outputs by the last selector stage in the series to thereby produce video signals representing a combined image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
A system as in claim 8 including sources of key signals for the video signals received as inputs by the selector stages, wherein said each selector stage provides as an output the key signals for the video signals comprising at least one of said outputs, and wherein said combining network combines video signals representing at least two images in a manner controlled by said key signals provided as an output of the last selector stage in said series.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 9 in which the selected stage is the last stage of the series.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
A system as in claim 10 in which said combining network forms said combined image by combining the video signals representing one image, as weighted by said key signals as provided as an output of said last selector stage, and the video signals representing another image, as weighted by the inverse of said last mentioned key signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as in claim 9 in which said key signals for each of said video image comprise a respective pixel key signal for each pixel of the image designating the proportion of the pixel value to be used in forming said combined image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 12 in which each pixel key signal can range in value fron zero to unity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |