US5021772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interactive real-time video processor with zoom pan and scroll capability
Assignee: DRUMOYNE INVESTMENTS Ltd
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Filing: 1989-10-05
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Granted: 1991-06-04
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Expires: 2009-10-05
Abstract
Abstract A video processor used in conjunction with commercial video products provides realistic visual imagery and a dynamic interactive capability. The outputs from three video digitizers, one for each of the primary colours red, green and blue (RGB) of a composite video signal, are stored in high speed, serial access memory devices. The output of the memory devices is converted to an analog signal for an ordinary RGB monitor. Image content can be transformed in real-time via microprocessor control of selected data in the memory devices, encoding and retrieval circuits permitting a portion of the original video signal to completely fill a normal RGB monitor. As well, computer generated imagery can be superimposed upon the video background and the background can be altered to achieve special visual effects.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen J. King
- 👤 Lochlan E. Magee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:20
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/003; G09B9/02; G09B9/08; G09B9/30; G09B9/301; G09B9/302; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/36; G09G5/39; G09G5/395; H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/262
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
In an interactive video processor for processing image data corresponding to video scan lines derived form scanning an image, said processor comprising: sampling means for sampling the image data, storing means for storing the sampled image data, at a given rate of storage, in successive memory addresses of said storing means, retrieving means for retrieving the stored image data, processing means for processing the retrieved image data, and display means for displaying the image originally scanned; the improvement comprising pan circuit means for delaying the storage of the sampled image data relative to the start of each video scan line by an amount of time appropriate to achieve a desired horizontal displacement of the displayed image, and scroll circuit means for initiating data retrieval at a memory address appropriate to the video scan line which is to appear at the top of the display of the image so as to achieve vertical displacement of the displayed image; and wherein said retrieving means retrieves the image data at a rate equal to a predetermined fraction of the rate of storage of the image data, and said display means displays the image data corresponding to each video scan line twice so as to produce a display of the image which is effectively magnified by a predetermined factor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
In an interactive video processor for processing image data corresponding to video scan lines derived form scanning an image, said processor comprising: sampling means for sampling the image data, storing means for storing the sampled image data, at a given rate of storage, in successive memory addresses of said storing means, retrieving means for retrieving the stored image data, processing means for processing the retrieved image data, and display means for displaying the image originally scanned; the improvement comprising pan circuit means for delaying the storage of the sampled image data relative to the start of each video scan line by an amount of time appropriate to achieve a desired horizontal displacement of the displayed image, and scroll circuit means for initiating data retrieval at a memory address appropriate to the video scan line which is to appear at the top of the display of the image so as to achieve vertical displacement of the displayed image; and wherein said retrieving means retrieves the image data at a rate equal to a predetermined fraction of the rate of storage of the image data, and said display means displays the image data corresponding to each video scan line twice so as to produce a display of the image which is effectively magnified by a predetermined factor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the processor of claim 1, further comprising selecting means responsive to an operator selection input for selecting the magnified image or an unmagnified image for display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
In the processor of claim 1, wherein said storing means comprises two memory modules and data entry means for storing the sampled image data into alternative ones of said memory modules during successive data entry cycles, said retrieving means simultaneously retrieving the image data from said memory module other than said memory module in which the image data are being stored during the successive data entry cycles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the processor of claim 1, further comprising additional memory means for storing other data, said processing means combining the image data retrieved from said storing means with the other data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the processor of claim 1, further comprising additional processing means for modifying the other data stored in additional memory means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
In the processor of claim 1, further comprising a composite colour decoder including an input access for a video signal source and an output access for each primary colour signal, said output access providing a signal comprising the image data sampled by said sampling means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the processor of claim 1, further comprising colour look-up table means for selectively changing the outcome of combinations of the image data from said storing means with the other data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
In the processor of claim 1, wherein the image data are provided to said sampling means by a videodisc player.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
In the processor of claim 1, wherein the image data are provided to said sampling means by a videocassette recorder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
In the processor of claim 1, wherein the image data are provided to said sampling means by a radio frequency tuner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
In the processor of claim 1, wherein said pan circuit means comprises a pan register for receiving horizontal displacement data and a pan counter connected to said pan register for receiving the horizontal displacement data from said pan register.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
In the processor of claim 11, wherein said scroll circuit means comprises a scroll register for receiving vertical displacement data and a scroll counter connected to said scroll register for receiving the vertical displacement data from said scroll register.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
In the processor of claim 12, wherein said scroll counter produces a counter output, and wherein said storing means comprises a row counter, and further comprising increment gate means connected between said scroll counter and said storing means and responsive to said counter output for incrementing the row counter of said storing means during a vertical sync interval of said display means until a desired scroll value is reached as indicated by the counter output of said scroll counter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the processor of claim 13, wherein said storing means receives a write enable signal and a serial clock signal, and wherein said pan counter delays reception of the write enable signal and the serial clock signal by said storing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the processor of claim 2, wherein said storing means receives a write enable signal and a serial clock signal, and wherein said pan counter delays reception of the write enable signal and the serial clock signal by said storing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
In the processor of claim 11, wherein said storing means receives a write enable signal and a serial clock signal, and wherein said pan counter delays reception of the write enable signal and the serial clock signal by said storing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
79 words
In the processor of claim 11, wherein said scroll counter produces a counter output, and wherein said storing means comprises a row counter, and further comprising increment gate means connected between said scroll counter and said storing means and responsive to said counter output for incrementing the row counter of said storing means during a vertical sync interval of said display means until a desired scroll value is reached as indicated by the counter output of said scroll counter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-03 | 1994-12-03 | 1995-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-03 | 1998-12-03 | 1999-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-03 | 2002-12-03 | 2003-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |