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US5469209A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for generating video signals representing a photographic image previously recorded in a frame on a photographic film-type medium

Assignee: Sony Electronics Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-24
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Granted: 1995-11-21
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Expires: 2013-05-24
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Abstract

Abstract Apparatus for generating video signals representing photographic images previously recorded in a frame on a photographic film-type medium includes an image pickup device which produces video signals in response to a light image of the projected photographic image, a digitizer which digitizes the produced video signals, a memory which stores a video frame interval of the digitized video signals, an enhancer which enhances digitized video signals read from the memory, and a digital signal processor which controls the image pickup device, the memory and the enhancer.

Inventors

  • 👤 Erhan H. Gunday
  • 👤 Michael Doliton
  • 👤 Paul Foung
  • 👤 John R. Lee

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-26 08:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/14; H04N23/00; H04N23/30; H04N5/222; H04N5/253; H04N7/00; H04N7/01; H04N7/0112

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim 139 words
Apparatus for generating digital video signals representing a photographic image previously recorded in a frame on a photographic film-type medium, comprising: image pickup means for producing video signals in response to a light image of said photographic image projected thereto; digitizing means coupled to said image pickup means for digitizing the video signals produced thereby so as to provide corresponding digital video data; memory means for storing a video frame interval of said digital video data; enhancement means coupled to said memory means for selectively digitally enhancing said digital video data read from said memory means in accordance with a conversion function for providing enhanced video data; and a digital signal processor for controlling at least said image pickup means, said memory means and said enhancement means, and for supplying an operator controlled conversion function to said enhancement means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 139 words
Apparatus for generating digital video signals representing a photographic image previously recorded in a frame on a photographic film-type medium, comprising: image pickup means for producing video signals in response to a light image of said photographic image projected thereto; digitizing means coupled to said image pickup means for digitizing the video signals produced thereby so as to provide corresponding digital video data; memory means for storing a video frame interval of said digital video data; enhancement means coupled to said memory means for selectively digitally enhancing said digital video data read from said memory means in accordance with a conversion function for providing enhanced video data; and a digital signal processor for controlling at least said image pickup means, said memory means and said enhancement means, and for supplying an operator controlled conversion function to said enhancement means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising signal output means coupled to said enhancement means for producing at least one output video signal from said enhanced video data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said signal output means includes means for producing said at least one output video signal in digital format.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image pickup means includes optical zoom means responsive to drive signals for zooming in and out on said photographic image, and manually operable control means for generating zoom selection signals; and wherein said digital signal processor is responsive to said zoom selection signals for supplying corresponding drive signals to said optical zoom means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said manually operable control means for generating zoom selection signals includes a track ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 50 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said manually operable control means includes means for selectively storing zoom data representing an amount of zooming in or out on said photographic image by said optical zoom means, and means for selectively generating zoom selection signals in accordance with said stored zoom data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image pickup means includes optical panning means responsive to drive signals for panning said photographic image, and manually operable control means for generating pan selection signals; and wherein said digital signal processor is responsive to said pan selection signals for supplying drive signals to said optical panning means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said manually operable control means for generating pan selection signals includes a track ball.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 75 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising film transport means for transporting said film-type medium in a predetermined direction of motion to position a film frame for the projection of said light image thereof; and wherein said optical panning means includes y--y panning means coupled to said film transport means for panning said photographic image by transporting said film-type medium by said film transport means in said predetermined direction of motion of said film-type medium.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 69 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising film transport means for transporting said film-type medium in a predetermined direction of motion to position a film frame for the projection of said light image thereof; and wherein said optical panning means includes x--x panning means for panning said photographic image along an axis of the film frame which is perpendicular to said predetermined direction of motion of the film-type medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 42 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said x--x panning means includes means for providing relative movement between said film-type medium and said image pickup means along the axis of the film frame perpendicular to the direction of motion of the film-type medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 58 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said manually operable control means includes means for selectively storing pan data representing a position of panning by said optical panning means, and means for selectively generating pan selection signals in accordance with said stored pan data position so that said optical panning means pans said photographic image at said represented position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said enhancement means includes means for selectively stretching gray levels of said digital video data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said enhancement means includes means for producing enhanced video data representing a negative image of said digital video data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 65 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said digital signal processor is operable to supply different conversion functions to said enhancement means; and said enhancement means includes means for storing a newly supplied conversion function, said enhancement means digitally enhancing said digital video data in accordance with a previously supplied conversion function when said newly supplied conversion function is not completely stored in said enhancement means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said enhancement means includes a look-up table for storing said conversion function supplied by said digital signal processor, said enhancement means digitally enhancing said digital video data read from said memory means in accordance with said conversion function stored in said look-up table.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 158 words
Apparatus for generating digital video signals representing a photographic motion picture previously recorded in successive frames on a photographic film-type medium, comprising: image pickup means for producing video signals in response to light images of each of said successive frames of said photographic motion picture projected thereto; digitizing means coupled to said image pickup means for digitizing the video signals produced thereby so as to provide corresponding digital video data; memory means for successively storing at least one video frame interval of said digital video data; enhancement means coupled to said memory means for selectively digitally enhancing said digital video data read from said memory means in accordance with a conversion function for providing enhanced video data composed of successive frames representing said photographic motion picture; and a digital signal processor for controlling at least said image pickup means, said memory means and said enhancement means, and for supplying an operator controlled conversion function to said enhancement means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 158 words
Apparatus for generating digital video signals representing a photographic motion picture previously recorded in successive frames on a photographic film-type medium, comprising: image pickup means for producing video signals in response to light images of each of said successive frames of said photographic motion picture projected thereto; digitizing means coupled to said image pickup means for digitizing the video signals produced thereby so as to provide corresponding digital video data; memory means for successively storing at least one video frame interval of said digital video data; enhancement means coupled to said memory means for selectively digitally enhancing said digital video data read from said memory means in accordance with a conversion function for providing enhanced video data composed of successive frames representing said photographic motion picture; and a digital signal processor for controlling at least said image pickup means, said memory means and said enhancement means, and for supplying an operator controlled conversion function to said enhancement means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising signal output means coupled to said enhancement means for producing an output video signal composed of said successive frames from said enhanced video data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said signal output means includes means for producing said output video signal in digital format.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 67 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said image pickup means includes optical zoom means responsive to drive signals for zooming in and out on each of said successive frames of said photographic motion picture, and manually operable control means for generating zoom selection signals; and wherein said digital signal processor is responsive to said zoom selection signals for supplying corresponding drive signals to said optical zoom means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said manually operable control means for generating zoom selection signals includes a track ball.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 62 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said image pickup means includes optical panning means responsive to drive signals for panning each of said successive frames of said photographic motion picture, and manually operable control means for generating pan selection signals; and wherein said digital signal processor is responsive to said pan selection signals for supplying drive signals to said optical panning means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said manually operable control means for generating pan selection signals includes a track ball.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 84 words
The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising film transport means for transporting said film-type medium in a predetermined direction of motion to position each of said successive frames for the projection of said light image thereof; and wherein said optical panning means includes y--y panning means coupled to said film transport means for panning each of said successive frames of said photographic motion picture by transporting said film-type medium by said film transport means in said predetermined direction of motion of said film-type medium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 77 words
The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising film transport means for transporting said film-type medium in a predetermined direction of motion to position each of said successive frames for the projection of said light images thereof; and wherein said optical panning means includes x--x panning means for panning each of said successive frames of said photographic motion picture along an axis of the frames which is perpendicular to said predetermined direction of motion of the film-type medium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said x--x panning means includes means for providing relative movement between said film-type medium and said image pickup means along the axis of the frames perpendicular to the direction of motion of the film-type medium.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 44 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said light images of said successive frames of said photographic motion picture are projected onto said image pickup means at a rate different from a rate at which said successive frames are provided in said enhanced video data.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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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) 1998-11-20 1999-05-22 1999-11-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-11-20 2003-05-22 2003-11-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-11-20 2007-05-22 2007-11-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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