US5550595A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for motion estimation with enhanced camera interface
Assignee: Heathway Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1994-12-16
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Granted: 1996-08-27
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Expires: 2014-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for processing video signals. According to a preferred embodiment, a video processor is provided, and a video camera interfaced with with the video processor is provided. The video camera supplies video frames to the video processor, and comprises an automatic exposure setting mechanism for automatically updating at least one video exposure parameter before transmitting a next video frame to the video processor. The video camera enables or disables the automatic exposure setting mechanism in response to a strobe signal. It is determined whether to intra-frame encode or to difference encode the next video frame. The video processor transmits a strobe signal to the video camera in accordance with this determination to control the automatic exposure setting mechanism of the video camera.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric C. Hannah
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N19/00; H04N19/60; H04N19/61; H04N19/10; H04N19/102; H04N19/103; H04N19/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for processing video signals, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a video processor means; (b) providing a video camera means interfaced with the video processor means and for supplying video frames to the video processor means, the video camera means comprising: automatic exposure setting means for automatically updating at least one video exposure parameter before transmitting a next video frame to the video processor means; and means for enabling or disabling the automatic exposure setting means in response to a strobe signal; (c) determining with the video processor means whether to intra-frame encode or to difference encode the next video frame; and (d) transmitting the strobe signal from the video processor means to the video camera means in accordance with the determining of step (c) to control the automatic exposure setting means of the video camera means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method for processing video signals, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a video processor means; (b) providing a video camera means interfaced with the video processor means and for supplying video frames to the video processor means, the video camera means comprising: automatic exposure setting means for automatically updating at least one video exposure parameter before transmitting a next video frame to the video processor means; and means for enabling or disabling the automatic exposure setting means in response to a strobe signal; (c) determining with the video processor means whether to intra-frame encode or to difference encode the next video frame; and (d) transmitting the strobe signal from the video processor means to the video camera means in accordance with the determining of step (c) to control the automatic exposure setting means of the video camera means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: the means for enabling or disabling the automatic exposure setting means enables the automatic exposure setting means upon receipt of the strobe signal and disables the automatic exposure setting means otherwise; and step (d) comprises the step of transmitting the strobe signal from the video processor means to the video camera means to enable the automatic exposure setting means of the video camera means if it is determined in step (c) to intra-frame encode the next video frame, whereby the automatic exposure means automatically updates at least one video exposure parameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one video exposure parameter comprises a plurality of video exposure parameters comprising gain, gamma curves, color balance, focus, wipeout, fade, and zoom parameters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the automatic exposure setting means continuously determines the plurality of video exposure parameters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the automatic exposure setting means comprises automatic gain control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the automatic exposure setting means further comprises automatic gamma curve adjustment means, automatic color balance means, automatic focus means, automatic wipeout means, automatic fade means, and automatic zoom means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the automatic exposure setting means continuously determines the at least one video exposure parameter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of: (e) transmitting the next video frame from the video camera means to the video processor means after both steps (c) and (d); and (f) either intra-frame encoding or difference frame encoding the next video frame with the video processor means in accordance with the determining of step (c).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of: (g) transmitting the next video frame after the encoding of step (f) to a remote video processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2, wherein: the video processor means comprises a video processor; and the video camera means comprises a video camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the video camera comprises a digital video camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10, wherein the video camera comprises an analog video camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 2, wherein step (c) comprises the step of determining to intra-frame encode the next video frame if the next video frame is the initial video frame to be processed by the video processing means of a plurality of consecutive video frames or if a predetermined number of previous consecutive video frames processed by the video processing means have been difference encoded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined number is nine.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for processing video signals, comprising: (a) video processor means; and (b) video camera means interfaced with the video processor means and for supplying video frames to the video processor means, the video camera means comprising: automatic exposure setting means for automatically updating at least one video exposure parameter before transmitting a next video frame to the video processor means; and means for enabling or disabling the automatic exposure setting means in response to a strobe signal; the video processor means comprising means for determining whether to intra-frame encode or to difference encode the next video frame; wherein the video processor means comprises means for transmitting the strobe signal to the video camera means in accordance with the means for determining to control the automatic exposure setting means of the video camera means.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for processing video signals, comprising: (a) video processor means; and (b) video camera means interfaced with the video processor means and for supplying video frames to the video processor means, the video camera means comprising: automatic exposure setting means for automatically updating at least one video exposure parameter before transmitting a next video frame to the video processor means; and means for enabling or disabling the automatic exposure setting means in response to a strobe signal; the video processor means comprising means for determining whether to intra-frame encode or to difference encode the next video frame; wherein the video processor means comprises means for transmitting the strobe signal to the video camera means in accordance with the means for determining to control the automatic exposure setting means of the video camera means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein: the means for enabling or disabling the automatic exposure setting means enables the automatic exposure setting means upon receipt of the strobe signal and disables the automatic exposure setting means otherwise; and the means for transmitting the strobe signal comprises means for transmitting the strobe signal from the video processor means to the video camera means to enable the automatic exposure setting means of the video camera means if it is determined by the determining means to intra-frame encode the next video frame, whereby the automatic exposure means automatically updates at least one video exposure parameter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least one video exposure parameter comprises a plurality of video exposure parameters comprising gain, gamma curves, color balance, focus, wipeout, fade, and zoom parameters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the automatic exposure setting means continuously determines the plurality of video exposure parameters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the automatic exposure setting means comprises automatic gain control means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the automatic exposure setting means further comprises automatic gamma curve adjustment means, automatic color balance means, automatic focus means, automatic wipeout means, automatic fade means, and automatic zoom means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the automatic exposure setting means continuously determines the at least one video exposure parameter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the video camera means comprises means for transmitting the next video frame to the video processor means after reception of the strobe signal; and the video processor means comprises means for intra-frame encoding or difference frame encoding the next video frame in accordance with the means for determining.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising means for transmitting the encoded next video frame to a remote video processor after the encoding of the means for intra-frame encoding or difference frame encoding the next video frame.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the video processor means comprises a video processor; and the video camera means comprises a video camera.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the video camera comprises a digital video camera.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the video camera comprises an analog video camera.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the determining means determines to intra-frame encode the next video frame if the next video frame is the initial video frame to be processed by the video processing means of a plurality of consecutive video frames or if a predetermined number of previous consecutive video frames processed by the video processing means have been difference encoded.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the predetermined number is nine.
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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) | 1999-08-27 | 2000-02-26 | 2000-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-27 | 2004-02-26 | 2004-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-27 | 2008-02-26 | 2008-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |