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US5343252A
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Method and apparatus for compositing video images
Assignee: Ultimate Corp
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Filing: 1993-04-15
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2013-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus to improve the control signal Ec used in a video image compositing system so that the adjustment to achieve an Ec of just zero for green objects and flesh tones, does not simultaneously reduce Ec in grey scale subjects and cause print-through. The invention also reproduces a wide range of blue colors from pale blue to bright blue in the presence of a blue backing without raising a matte density control and without raising noise level. The invention also provides a second control signal, Ek, that eliminates backing color spill from blond and brown hair, without affecting bright foreground white tones. The invention also generates a SHADOW CLEAN-UP signal that eliminates foreground shadows, while preserving most of the foreground detail information.
Inventors
- 👤 Arpag Dadourian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:25
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N9/00; H04N9/64; H04N9/74; H04N9/75
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for compositing video signals having red, blue and green components for a foreground scene and a background scene wherein the foreground scene includes a foreground subject disposed between a colored backing and a video camera, said system comprising: a) means (1, 11) for generating a control signal having a level proportional to the brightness and visibility of the colored backing, said control signal being generated such that when equal to zero for portions of foreground subjects which are green or flesh tone, said control signal is not simultaneously reduced for grey scale subjects, whereby print-through is eliminated; b) means (3) for adjusting the level of the control signal to match the video signal level of the red, blue and green color components of the video signal for the backing for each line of video; c) means (111, 112, 113) for subtracting the level matched control signal from the foreground video color signals; d) means (121, 122, 123) for controlling the level of the background scene video signal as a linear function of the control signal; e) means (131, 132, 133) for combining the foreground scene video signal, the color components of the backing thereof having been removed independently on each line of video, with the background scene video signal, the level of which has been controlled by the control signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
222 words
A system for compositing video signals having red, blue and green components for a foreground scene and a background scene wherein the foreground scene includes a foreground subject disposed between a colored backing and a video camera, said system comprising: a) means (1, 11) for generating a control signal having a level proportional to the brightness and visibility of the colored backing, said control signal being generated such that when equal to zero for portions of foreground subjects which are green or flesh tone, said control signal is not simultaneously reduced for grey scale subjects, whereby print-through is eliminated; b) means (3) for adjusting the level of the control signal to match the video signal level of the red, blue and green color components of the video signal for the backing for each line of video; c) means (111, 112, 113) for subtracting the level matched control signal from the foreground video color signals; d) means (121, 122, 123) for controlling the level of the background scene video signal as a linear function of the control signal; e) means (131, 132, 133) for combining the foreground scene video signal, the color components of the backing thereof having been removed independently on each line of video, with the background scene video signal, the level of which has been controlled by the control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
The system defined by claim 1 further comprising: a) means (115, 116, 117) for producing a clean-up signal for each of the red, blue and green components of the foreground scene video signal; b) means (5) coupled to said clean-up signal producing means and said control signal generating means for eliminating shadows in said foreground scene video signal while substantially eliminating degradation to fine detail edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system defined by claim 1 further comprising: a) means (4) for providing flare suppression for blond or brown foreground objects in front of a blue colored backing while substantially eliminating white foreground objects from taking on a warmer hue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system defined by claim 1 wherein said control signal, Ec, takes on the form: E.sub.c ={(B-K.sub.1)-K.sub.2 max(G,R)+[max(K.sub.3 G,K.sub.4 R)-min(G,R)]}.sup.+.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system defined by claim 1 wherein said control signal, Ec, takes on the form: E.sub.c ={(B-K.sub.1)-K.sub.2 max(K.sub.3 G,K.sub.4 R)-max[K.sub.5 (G-R),K.sub.6 (R-G)]}.sup.+.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system defined by claim 1 wherein said control signal, Ec, takes on the form: E.sub.c ={(B-K.sub.1)-K.sub.2 max(G,R)+[max(K.sub.3 G,K.sub.4 R)-min(G,R)-max [K.sub.5 (G-R),K.sub.6 (R-G)]}.sup.+.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system defined by claim 1 wherein said control signal, Ec, takes on the form: E.sub.c ={(B-K.sub.1)-K.sub.2 max[min(G,R),K.sub.3 G,K.sub.4 R[-max[K.sub.5 (G-R),K.sub.6 (R-G)]}.sup.+.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system defined by claim 1 wherein said control signal, Ec, takes on the form: E.sub.c ={(B-K.sub.1)-max[K.sub.2 min(G,R),K.sub.3 G,K.sub.4 R]-max [K.sub.5 (G-R),K.sub.6 (R-G)]}.sup.+.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system defined by claim 1 wherein said control signal, Ec, takes on the form: E.sub.c ={[B-K.sub.1 ]-K.sub.2 MAX[G,R]+MAX[E.sub.c T2-E.sub.c T3]}.sup.+.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system defined by claim 1 wherein said control signal, Ec, takes on the form: E.sub.c ={[B-K.sub.1 ]-K.sub.2 MAX[G,R]+MAX[E.sub.c T2-E.sub.c T3]-[max K.sub.5 (G-R),K.sub.6 (R-G)]}.sup.+.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for compositing video signals having red, blue and green components for a foreground scene and a background scene wherein the foreground scene includes a foreground subject disposed between a colored backing and a video camera, said method comprising the steps of: a) generating a control signal having a level proportional to the brightness and visibility of the colored backing, said control signal being generated such that when equal to zero for portions of foreground subjects which are green or flesh tone, said control signal is not simultaneously reduced for grey scale subjects, whereby print-through is eliminated; b) adjusting the level of the control signal to match the video signal level of the red, blue and green color components of the video signal for the backing for each line of video; c) subtracting the level matched control signal from the foreground video color signals; d) controlling the level of the background scene video signal as a linear function of the control signal; e) combining the foreground scene video signal, the color components of the backing thereof having been removed independently on each line of video, with the background scene video signal, the level of which has been controlled by the control signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for compositing video signals having red, blue and green components for a foreground scene and a background scene wherein the foreground scene includes a foreground subject disposed between a colored backing and a video camera, said method comprising the steps of: a) generating a control signal having a level proportional to the brightness and visibility of the colored backing, said control signal being generated such that when equal to zero for portions of foreground subjects which are green or flesh tone, said control signal is not simultaneously reduced for grey scale subjects, whereby print-through is eliminated; b) adjusting the level of the control signal to match the video signal level of the red, blue and green color components of the video signal for the backing for each line of video; c) subtracting the level matched control signal from the foreground video color signals; d) controlling the level of the background scene video signal as a linear function of the control signal; e) combining the foreground scene video signal, the color components of the backing thereof having been removed independently on each line of video, with the background scene video signal, the level of which has been controlled by the control signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4580158A
Cited
US5032901A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |