US6020931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Video composition and position system and media signal communication system
Assignee: GEORGE S SHENG
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Filing: 1997-04-24
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Granted: 2000-02-01
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Expires: 2017-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A video signal compositing system uses advanced communication techniques to make compositing with virtual studio, blue screen, multi-color compositing, dynamic blue screen, add insertion, synthetic transfiguration, or panoramic displays more economical. A data communication system comprises a number of shared communications channels for transmitting data streams in a bi-directional manner. Multiple interface subsystems are coupled to the communications channels. The interface subsystems have a time slot controller that allocates time slots between the communication channels. A router is used in conjunction with the interface subsystems to define the time slots in which data on the shared communications channels are valid. Processing elements connected via the interface subsystem allow reconfiguration, via the shared communications channels, of processing operations performed. Shared communications channels solve problems in video timing and routing of video signals, including but limited to video compositing and spatial positioning. Multiple mask, dynamic tracking, 3-D depth imaging, image processing and stereoscopic imaging enhance image compositing on systems ranging from NTSC video, to HDTV, to panoramic display systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Brett Bilbrey
- 👤 Lawrence A. Gust
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:25
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/222; H04N5/2224; H04N5/262; H04N5/272
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A video signal compositing system, comprising: a first source of video signals comprising an image; an additional source of video signals; a source of control signals defining a spatial mapping relationship for the additional source of video signals to be mapped into the first source of video signals; transformation means for mapping the additional source of video signals responsive to the control signals and producing remapped additional source of video signals; and means for combining the remapped additional source of video signals onto the first source of video signals responsive to the control signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A video signal compositing system, comprising: a first source of video signals comprising an image; an additional source of video signals; a source of control signals defining a spatial mapping relationship for the additional source of video signals to be mapped into the first source of video signals; transformation means for mapping the additional source of video signals responsive to the control signals and producing remapped additional source of video signals; and means for combining the remapped additional source of video signals onto the first source of video signals responsive to the control signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as in claim 1, wherein the control signals are computer generated to define a region within the image for mapping onto by the additional source of video signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as in claim 1, wherein the first source of video signals is a video camera which provides a video signal representing an image and ancillary data; and wherein the control signals are derived responsive to the ancillary data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as in claim 3, wherein the ancillary data is representative of camera position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system as in claim 4, wherein the additional source of video signals is selected from among a plurality of additional video sources each associated with a different relative camera position, responsive to the ancillary data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as in claim 4, wherein the additional source of video signals is processing differently for different relative camera positions responsive to the ancillary data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as in claim 1, wherein the source of control signals are derived from the first source of video signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as in claim 7 wherein the source of control signals are matte signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as in claim 8, wherein the first source of video signals is comprised of at least one colored region and wherein the matte signals are derived from detection of the said colored region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as in claim 9, wherein there are at least two colored regions, wherein there are multiple ones of the matte signals, each associated with a respective one of the colored regions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as in claim 8, wherein the matte signals are derived from detecting the edges of the colored region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as in claim 8, wherein the matte signals are provided by a source independent of the first source of video signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as in claim 8, wherein the matte signals are provided by a source external to the first source of video signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as in claim 8, wherein the first source of video signals is further comprised of ancillary data, and wherein the matte signals are derived responsive to the ancillary data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as in claim 14, wherein the matte signals are provided by the ancillary data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as in claim 14, wherein the matte signals are synthesized responsive to the ancillary data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as in claim 3, wherein the ancillary data defines a virtual region, and wherein the source of control signals maps the additional source of video signals onto the virtual region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
108 words
A video signal compositing system comprising: means for providing a first source of video signals comprising an image; means for providing an additional source of video signals; means for providing a source of transformation control signals; means for providing a source of combining control signals; transformation means, responsive to the transformation control signals, to transform video signals from the additional source of video signals; and means for combining, responsive to the first source of video signals, the transformed additional source of video signals, and the combining control signals, for providing a composited output combining the transformed additional source of video signals with the first source of video signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
A video signal compositing system comprising: means for providing a first source of video signals comprising an image; means for providing an additional source of video signals; means for providing a source of transformation control signals; means for providing a source of combining control signals; transformation means, responsive to the transformation control signals, to transform video signals from the additional source of video signals; and means for combining, responsive to the first source of video signals, the transformed additional source of video signals, and the combining control signals, for providing a composited output combining the transformed additional source of video signals with the first source of video signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as is claim 18, wherein the transformation control signals are derived from the first source of video signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as in claim 18, wherein the transformation control signals are derived from ancillary data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as in claim 20, wherein the ancillary data is comprised of control signals originating from the first source of video signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as is claim 20, wherein the ancillary data is comprised of externally provided computer data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as in claim 22, wherein the externally provided computer data is output from a shot box.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as in claim 18, wherein the combining control signals are derived from the first source of video signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
The systems as in claim 18, wherein the combining control signals are derived from ancillary data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as in claim 18, wherein the first source of video signals is comprised of a video camera output.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as in claim 18, wherein the first source of video signals is comprised of computer-generated image data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as in claim 18, wherein the additional source of video signals is comprised of a video camera output.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as in claim 18, wherein the additional source of video signals is comprised of a computer-generated image data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as in claim 25, wherein the ancillary data is provided as an output from the means for providing the first source of video signals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as in claim 18, wherein the transformation means is comprised of a digital video effects processor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as in claim 18, wherein the means for combining is comprised of a video keyer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
110 words
A video signal compositing system, comprising: a first source of video signals comprising an image, wherein the image is comprised of multiple colored regions, having a spatial relationship to one another; an additional source of video signals; means for associating the additional source of video signals with a specific respective one of the multiple colored regions; control means for mapping the additional source of video to its respective one of the multiple colored regions, responsive to the means for associating and to the spatial relationship; and means for combining the first source and additional source of video signals to provide a composite output video signal, responsive to the control means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
110 words
A video signal compositing system, comprising: a first source of video signals comprising an image, wherein the image is comprised of multiple colored regions, having a spatial relationship to one another; an additional source of video signals; means for associating the additional source of video signals with a specific respective one of the multiple colored regions; control means for mapping the additional source of video to its respective one of the multiple colored regions, responsive to the means for associating and to the spatial relationship; and means for combining the first source and additional source of video signals to provide a composite output video signal, responsive to the control means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
120 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the additional source of video signals is comprised of a plurality of additional sources of video signals; wherein the means for associating provides means for associating each one of the plurality of additional sources of video signals with a respective exclusive one of the multiple colored regions; wherein the control means provides means for mapping each of the additional sources of video signals to its respective one of the multiple colored regions responsive to the means for associating; and wherein the means for combining provides means for combining the first source of video signals and the additional sources of video signals to provide the composite output video signal responsive to the control means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein there are at least two colored regions.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the additional source of video signals is video imagery.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the additional source of video signals is a texture map.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the additional source of video signals is a still frame image.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the additional source of video signals is a graphic.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the additional source of video signals is provided from an external source.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the additional source of video signals is provided from a source internal to the system.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the spatial relationship is determined responsive to positional information from a video camera.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the spatial relationship is determined responsive to signals from an alpha channel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the spatial relationship is determined responsive to a calibration pattern within each one of the colored regions.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the spatial relationship is determined responsive to the relative position of edges of each of the colored regions.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system as in claim 33, further comprising: a third source of video signals providing a perceived depth level; and wherein the control means is responsive to the third source of video signals in providing for the mapping.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as in claim 46 wherein the third source of video signals is an alpha channel.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as in claim 46, wherein the third source of video signals is a non-camera generated source.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as in claim 46, wherein the third source of video signals is an artificially generated depth.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as in claim 33, wherein the first source of video signals is provided from a video camera.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as in claim 50, wherein the video camera is rotatable around a first pivot axis, and movable along a second axis independent of the first pivot axis.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as in claim 50, wherein the video camera provides an output comprised of video data and environmental information representative of the position of the video camera.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4811084A
Cited
US5382980A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-31 | 2003-08-02 | 2004-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-31 | 2007-08-02 | 2008-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-31 | 2011-08-02 | 2012-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |