US4928171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video assist system for motion-picture camera
Assignee: Panavision International LP
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Filing: 1987-10-30
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Granted: 1990-05-22
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Expires: 2007-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A video assist system operates in parallel with a motion-picture camera by recording and scanning periodic frames of the motion-picture image. Each recorded frame is transferred to intermediate storage where data from that frame may be processed at a rate which is independent of the motion-picture capture rate. Data for each recorded frame is translated into an intermediate signal format in which each line of a television ("TV") image signal is transmitted at a standard TV signal rate, but in which an entire frame is transmitted at the motion-picture capture rate. The intermediate signal format is presented to a frame buffer which allows conversion to a standard TV signal format.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Kline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:11
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/2228; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S348/00; Y10S348/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising memory means for recording infalling light in synchrony with said motion-picture camera as a plurality of periodic image frames at said predetermined means for retrieving a plurality of said periodic image frames from said memory means at a periodic rate which is independent of said capture rate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising memory means for recording infalling light in synchrony with said motion-picture camera as a plurality of periodic image frames at said predetermined means for retrieving a plurality of said periodic image frames from said memory means at a periodic rate which is independent of said capture rate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A video assist system as in claim 1, wherein said means for retrieving comprises means for translating data from said memory means into an intermediate signal format having a line transmission rate and a frame transmission rate substantially independent of said line transmission rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A video assist system as in claim 1, wherein said means for retrieving comprises means for translating data from said memory means into an intermediate signal format having periodic frames and lines within said periodic frames, said intermediate signal format comprising a frame transmission rate substantially greater than the inverse of a frame transmission time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A video assist system as in claim 3, wherein said line transmission rate is substantially equal to a television standard line transmission rate, and wherein said frame transmission rate is substantially equal to a predetermined motion-picture file capture rate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
A video assist system as in claim 1, wherein said means for retrieving comprises means for translating data from said memory means into an intermediate signal format having periodic frames and lines within said periodic frames, said intermediate signal format comprising line format means comprising a line transmission rate; and frame format means comprising a plurality of said line format means within a frame transmission time, and further comprising non-transmission format means comprising a substantial absence of said line format means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A video assist system as in claim 1, wherein said memory means comprises CCD means for receiving infalling light and for generating image data therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A video assist system as in claim 1, wherein said predetermined capture rate is set by an operator of said motion-picture camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising memory means for recording infalling light in synchrony with said motion-picture camera as a plurality of periodic image frames at said predetermined capture rate; and means for retrieving a plurality of said periodic image frames from memory means with a line retrieval rate which is independent of said capture rate and with a frame retrieval rate which is an integer multiple of said capture rate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising memory means for recording infalling light in synchrony with said motion-picture camera as a plurality of periodic image frames at said predetermined capture rate; and means for retrieving a plurality of said periodic image frames from memory means with a line retrieval rate which is independent of said capture rate and with a frame retrieval rate which is an integer multiple of said capture rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A video assist system as in claim 8, wherein said predetermined capture rate is set by an operator of said motion-picture camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising memory means for recording periodic frames of said motion-picture image; means for translating data from said memory means into an intermediate signal format having a line transmission rate and a frame transmission rate substantially independent of said line transmission rate; and means for converting said intermediate signal format into a standard television signal format.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising memory means for recording periodic frames of said motion-picture image; means for translating data from said memory means into an intermediate signal format having a line transmission rate and a frame transmission rate substantially independent of said line transmission rate; and means for converting said intermediate signal format into a standard television signal format.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A video assist system as in claim 10, wherein said line transmission rate corresponds to a predetermined output rate of said memory means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A video assist system as in claim 11, wherein said frame transmission rate corresponds to a standard television signal format frame transmission rate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A video assist system as in claim 10, wherein said means for converting comprises a line buffer for storing image data corresponding to said intermediate signal format.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A video assist system as in claim 13, wherein said line buffer comprises means for synchronizing an input to said line buffer with a first horizontal sync signal from an external video signal source; and means for synchronizing an output from said line buffer with a second horizontal sync signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A video assist system as in claim 10, wherein said means for converting comprises a frame buffer for storing image data corresponding to said intermediate signal format.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A video assist system as in claim 10, comprising means for receiving said intermediate signal format and for storing image data corresponding to said intermediate signal format.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
65 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising means for recording a first image of a past scene; means for capturing a second image of a present scene; and means for displaying said first and second images in conjunction, whereby said first and second images may be directly compared.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising means for recording a first image of a past scene; means for capturing a second image of a present scene; and means for displaying said first and second images in conjunction, whereby said first and second images may be directly compared.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising memory means for recording a scan line of image pixels corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera in a predetermined order; and means for retrieving said scan line in reverse order from said predetermined order.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
66 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising memory means for recording a scan line of image pixels corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera in a predetermined order; and means for retrieving said scan line in reverse order from said predetermined order.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
75 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising means for synchronizing an input to a line buffer with a first horizontal sync signal from an external video signal source corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera; and means for synchronizing an output from said line buffer with a second horizontal sync signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
75 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising means for synchronizing an input to a line buffer with a first horizontal sync signal from an external video signal source corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera; and means for synchronizing an output from said line buffer with a second horizontal sync signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
76 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising means for periodically converting image frames, corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera, into image data; memory means for storing said image data; means for amplifying said image data to a predetermined brightness; and means for retrieving said image data in a television signal format.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
76 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising means for periodically converting image frames, corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera, into image data; memory means for storing said image data; means for amplifying said image data to a predetermined brightness; and means for retrieving said image data in a television signal format.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
103 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising means for measuring infalling light, corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera, at a plurality of image points and for generating image data therefrom; means for storing said image data; means for automatically amplifying said image data to a predetermined brightness; frame buffer means for recording said image data; means for retrieving said image data from said frame buffer means, and for generating therefrom a signal substantially in a television signal format.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
103 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising means for measuring infalling light, corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera, at a plurality of image points and for generating image data therefrom; means for storing said image data; means for automatically amplifying said image data to a predetermined brightness; frame buffer means for recording said image data; means for retrieving said image data from said frame buffer means, and for generating therefrom a signal substantially in a television signal format.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
115 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising CCD means for receiving infalling light, corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera, and for generating image data therefrom; automatic gain control means for automatically amplifying said image data to a predetermined brightness; line buffer means for recording at least one horizontal scan line of said image data; frame buffer means for recording at least one frame of said image data; means for retrieving said image data from said frame buffer means, and for generating therefrom a signal substantially in a television signal format.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
115 words
A video assist system for use in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, said system comprising CCD means for receiving infalling light, corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by said motion-picture camera, and for generating image data therefrom; automatic gain control means for automatically amplifying said image data to a predetermined brightness; line buffer means for recording at least one horizontal scan line of said image data; frame buffer means for recording at least one frame of said image data; means for retrieving said image data from said frame buffer means, and for generating therefrom a signal substantially in a television signal format.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording infalling light in synchrony with said motion-picture camera as a plurality of periodic image frames in memory means at said predetermined capture rate; and retrieving a plurality of said periodic image frames from memory means at a periodic rate which is independent of said capture rate.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording infalling light in synchrony with said motion-picture camera as a plurality of periodic image frames in memory means at said predetermined capture rate; and retrieving a plurality of said periodic image frames from memory means at a periodic rate which is independent of said capture rate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 23, wherein said predetermined capture rate is set by an operator of said motion-picture camera.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording infalling light in synchrony with said motion-picture camera as a plurality of periodic image frames in memory means at said predetermined capture rate; and retrieving a plurality of said periodic image frames from memory means with a pixel retrieval rate which is independent of said capture rate and with a frame retrieval rate which is an integer multiple of said capture rate.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording infalling light in synchrony with said motion-picture camera as a plurality of periodic image frames in memory means at said predetermined capture rate; and retrieving a plurality of said periodic image frames from memory means with a pixel retrieval rate which is independent of said capture rate and with a frame retrieval rate which is an integer multiple of said capture rate.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 25, wherein said predetermined capture rate is set by an operator of said motion-picture camera.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording periodic frames of said motion-picture image in memory means; translating data from said memory means into an intermediate signal format having a line transmission rate and a frame transmission rate substantially independent of said line transmission rate; and converting and intermediate signal format into a standard television signal format.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording periodic frames of said motion-picture image in memory means; translating data from said memory means into an intermediate signal format having a line transmission rate and a frame transmission rate substantially independent of said line transmission rate; and converting and intermediate signal format into a standard television signal format.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording a first image of a past scene; capturing a second image of a present scene; and displaying said first and second images in conjunction; wherein said first and second images may be directly compared.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording a first image of a past scene; capturing a second image of a present scene; and displaying said first and second images in conjunction; wherein said first and second images may be directly compared.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 28, comprising the step of altering said present scene until said first and second images are substantially identical.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording a horizontal scan line of image pixels in memory means in a predetermined order; and retrieving said horizontal scan line in reverse order from said predetermined order.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
55 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of recording a horizontal scan line of image pixels in memory means in a predetermined order; and retrieving said horizontal scan line in reverse order from said predetermined order.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of synchronizing an input to a line buffer with a first horizontal sync signal from an external video signal source; and synchronizing an output from said line buffer with a second horizontal sync signal.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of operating a video assist system in conjunction with a motion-picture camera having a predetermined capture rate for a motion-picture image, comprising the steps of synchronizing an input to a line buffer with a first horizontal sync signal from an external video signal source; and synchronizing an output from said line buffer with a second horizontal sync signal.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
132 words
A video assist system for generating a flicker-free image corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by a motion picture camera having a film shutter operating in a periodic cycle at a predetermined rate, said system comprising means for generating a shutter pulse signal each time said film shutter of said motion-picture camera reaches a predetermined point in said periodic cycle, the timing of said film shutter not being controlled by the video assist system; means, coupled to said means for generating, for generating a frame of image data for each said shutter pulse signal; means for storing said frame of image data in a memory; means for retrieving said image data from said memory in a continuous sequence at a periodic rate which is independent of said rate.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
132 words
A video assist system for generating a flicker-free image corresponding to at least part of an image pointed to by a motion picture camera having a film shutter operating in a periodic cycle at a predetermined rate, said system comprising means for generating a shutter pulse signal each time said film shutter of said motion-picture camera reaches a predetermined point in said periodic cycle, the timing of said film shutter not being controlled by the video assist system; means, coupled to said means for generating, for generating a frame of image data for each said shutter pulse signal; means for storing said frame of image data in a memory; means for retrieving said image data from said memory in a continuous sequence at a periodic rate which is independent of said rate.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
A video assist system as in claim 32, wherein said predetermined rate is set by an operator of said motion-picture camera.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
A video assist system as in claim 32, wherein said means for generating comprises a CCD.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
A video assist system as in claim 32, wherein said memory comprises a dual-port memory.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
42 words
A video assist system as in claim 32, wherein said means for storing and said means for retrieving operate substantially simultaneously, whereby said image data which is retrieved from said memory substantially corresponds to said image pointed to by said motion-picture camera.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
25 words
A video assist system as in claim 32, comprising means for generating a television signal from said image data which is retrieved from said memory.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-05-21 | 1997-11-20 | 1998-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-05-21 | 2001-11-20 | 2002-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |