US5050984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for colorizing footage
Assignee: AVELLONE ANNE C
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Filing: 1987-01-20
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Granted: 1991-09-24
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Expires: 2007-01-20
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed in which individual black & white frames from film (100) are colorized by combination with color film (120) generated by computer (110) assisted techniques. Color information is processed, for example, by filtering, cross-dissolving or interpolation. The technique is also applicable to modifying the color of black & white portions of full color film (340) to repair damaged or degraded frames or to create special effects.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Geshwind
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/84; H04N5/843; H04L; H04L69/00; H04L69/16; H04N9/00; H04N9/43
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for colorizing a relatively high information density black & white image comprising the steps of: [a] generating color information of lower information density than said black & white image for said black & white image; and [b] combining said low information density color information with said black & white information to produce a full color image of relatively high information density.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for colorizing a relatively high information density black & white image comprising the steps of: [a] generating color information of lower information density than said black & white image for said black & white image; and [b] combining said low information density color information with said black & white information to produce a full color image of relatively high information density.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein steps [a] and [b] are performed on successive frames of a black & white motion sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 2, wherein said motion sequence is derived from a motion picture film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 2, wherein said motion sequence is derived from video media.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein a step is performed between steps [1] and [b of: [aa] computer processing said low information density color information to produce processed low information density color information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein said processing is carried out with a lower information density than the information density of said black & white image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein said processing consists of filtering said color information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein said processing consists of creating additional information to be incorporated into said color information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein said processing is varied in response to instructions from an operator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein said processing is varied in accordance with a computer algorithm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 2, wherein said color information is generated with a lower temporal information density than the temporal information density of said black & white motion sequence.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 11, further comprising the step of systhesizing intermediate color information by interpolating between existing color information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 5, wherein the three steps are performed on successive frames of a black & white motion sequence and said processing of the color information is in the temporal domain.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein said temporal domain processing consists of temporal filtering.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein said temporal domain processing consists of cross-dissolving.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 13, wherein said processing is varied in accordance with specifications pertaining to the motion of individual objects portrayed in said black & white motion sequence.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said combination is achieved optically.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 1, wherein said combination is achieved electronically.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for colorizing a series of black & white frames containing relatively high density black & white information in a motion sequence, comprising the steps of: [a] generating a relatively low density color information frame for a first black & white frame in said motion sequence; [b] generating a second relatively low density color information frame for a second black & white frame which is a first number of frames from said first black & white frame in said motion sequence; and [c] combining said relatively low density color information frames with the black & white frames to which they are associated.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for colorizing a series of black & white frames containing relatively high density black & white information in a motion sequence, comprising the steps of: [a] generating a relatively low density color information frame for a first black & white frame in said motion sequence; [b] generating a second relatively low density color information frame for a second black & white frame which is a first number of frames from said first black & white frame in said motion sequence; and [c] combining said relatively low density color information frames with the black & white frames to which they are associated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as in claim 19, comprising the additional step of: [d] generating at least one intermediate color information frame to be associated with a black & white frame intermediate between said first and second black & white frames by interpolating color information between said first and second generated color information frames.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 20, wherein said interpolation is shape interpolation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 20, wherein said interpolation is cross-dissolving.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 19, comprising the additional step between steps [b] and [c] of: [e] processing said color information frames.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method as in claim 20, comprising the additional step between steps [b] and [c] of: [f] generating at least one mixed color information frame between at least one adjacent pair of said color information frames, to be associated with a black & white frame intermediate between the black & white frames associated with said pair of color information frames, by interpolation between said pair of color information frames.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 24, wherein said interpolation is shape interpolation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 24, wherein said interpolation is cross-dissolving.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 19, comprising the additional step between steps [b] and [c] of: [g] associating those black & white frames not already associated with color information frames to a near by color information frame.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for modifying visual information in an image comprising the steps of: [a] separating said visual information into a plurality of individual components; [b] processing at least one of said individual components separately to generate at least one processed component at an information density lower than that component posessed in the original image; and [c] combining said components into a modified image.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for modifying visual information in an image comprising the steps of: [a] separating said visual information into a plurality of individual components; [b] processing at least one of said individual components separately to generate at least one processed component at an information density lower than that component posessed in the original image; and [c] combining said components into a modified image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein the image is a full color image, said full color image is separated into color and black & white components, and said combination results in a full color image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein steps [a] through [c] are performed on successive frames of a motion sequence.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein said motion sequence is derived from a motion picture film.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein said motion sequence is derived from video media.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein at least one component is separated with a lower information density than the information density of the same component in said image.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein at least one component is processed with a lower information than the information density of the same component in said image.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein one component is processed with a lower information density than that of another component.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein said processing includes the process of filtering one of said plurality of image components.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein said processing is varied in response to instructions from an operator.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein said processing is varied in accordance with a computer algorithm.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein at least one of said information components is separated with a lower temporal information density than the temporal information density of the same component in said motion sequence.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 30, wherein at least one of said information components of said motion sequence is processed in the temporal domain.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein at least one of said information components is processed with a lower temporal information density than the temporal information density of the same component in said motion sequence.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein one of said information components is processed at lower temporal density than another component.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 39, comprising the further step of systhesizing intermediate component information by interpolating between existing component information.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as in claim 40, wherein said temporal processing consists of temporal filtering.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as in claim 43, wherein said temporal processing consists of cross-dissolving.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein said combination is achieved optically.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as in claim 28, wherein said combination is achieved electronically.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for computer colorizing a black & white motion image sequence comprising information of a first information density, comprising the steps of: [a] specifying to the computer, color-only information of a second information density comprising a plurality of area outlines derived from said black & white image sequence information, said second information density being lower than said first information density; [b] computer processing said color-only information to create processed color-only information of a third information density, said third information density being higher than said second information density; and [c] combining said processed color-only information and said black & white information to create full-color motion sequence information of relatively high information density.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process for computer colorizing a black & white motion image sequence comprising information of a first information density, comprising the steps of: [a] specifying to the computer, color-only information of a second information density comprising a plurality of area outlines derived from said black & white image sequence information, said second information density being lower than said first information density; [b] computer processing said color-only information to create processed color-only information of a third information density, said third information density being higher than said second information density; and [c] combining said processed color-only information and said black & white information to create full-color motion sequence information of relatively high information density.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for modifying a full color film, comprising the steps of: [a] making a black & white film from said full color film; [b] inputing said full color film into a computer; [c] separating a relatively low information density color-only component from the full color information in the computer; [d] processing said color-only component, in the computer, into a processed color-only component; [e] outputing said processed color-only information component onto film; and [f] combining said color-only film with said black & white film into a modified full color film.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
90 words
A method for modifying a full color film, comprising the steps of: [a] making a black & white film from said full color film; [b] inputing said full color film into a computer; [c] separating a relatively low information density color-only component from the full color information in the computer; [d] processing said color-only component, in the computer, into a processed color-only component; [e] outputing said processed color-only information component onto film; and [f] combining said color-only film with said black & white film into a modified full color film.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for modifying a motion sequence, comprising the steps of: [a] inputing said motion sequence into a computer; [b] separating a multiplicity of information components from the motion sequence information in the computer; [c] processing at least one of said information components, in th computer, at an information density lower than the information density of the original motion sequence, into a processed component; [d] combining said multiplicity of information components into modified motion sequence information of relatively high information density; and [e] outputing said modified motion sequence information.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for modifying a motion sequence, comprising the steps of: [a] inputing said motion sequence into a computer; [b] separating a multiplicity of information components from the motion sequence information in the computer; [c] processing at least one of said information components, in th computer, at an information density lower than the information density of the original motion sequence, into a processed component; [d] combining said multiplicity of information components into modified motion sequence information of relatively high information density; and [e] outputing said modified motion sequence information.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
42 words
A product produced by placing on an information bearing medium an information bearing signal containing at least some information derived from a signal generated by the method of claim 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 19, 28, 30, 38, 48, 49 or 50.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
41 words
A product produced by placing on a film medium an information bearing signal containing at least some information derived from a signal generated by the method of claim 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 19, 28, 30, 38, 48, 49 or 50.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of broadcasting an information bearing signal containing at least some information derived from a signal generated by the method of claim 1, 2, 5, 11, 12, 19, 28, 30, 38, 48, 49 or 50.
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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) | 1994-09-23 | 1995-03-25 | 1995-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-23 | 1999-03-25 | 1999-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-23 | 2003-03-25 | 2003-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |