Television – Camera – system and detail – Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
Reexamination Certificate
1995-02-28
2001-08-21
Christensen, Andrew B. (Department: 2612)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
C358S906000, C386S349000, C386S349000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278486
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information signal controlling system having a data holding device which is removably attachable to an apparatus and which holds various kinds of data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various methods have conventionally been considered in order to combine, as by superimposition, an image such as a character, a symbol or a specific graphic image with a video signal to be recorded on a recording medium for the purposes of enhancing image effects or in order to superpose background music or effect sound on an audio signal to be recorded on the recording medium, when the video or audio signal obtained by photography using a video camera or the like is to be recorded on the recording medium.
One method of combining a different image signal with a video signal obtained by photography makes use of, for example, a so-called character generator.
This method utilizes an arrangement consisting of a pattern ROM (read-only memory) which stores patterns such as characters and symbols to be displayed, a register which stores the kind of character to be displayed at each display position, and a reading part for reading the contents of the pattern ROM that correspond to the contents of the register and combining the read contents with a video signal, in accordance with horizontal and vertical sync signals. When a character is to be displayed, the kind of character to be displayed is written into a register for a desired display position by a microcomputer or the like.
Another method is to convert an image signal obtained by imaging using a video camera or the like into a digital image signal of the order of one to several bits by an A/D converter, to store the digital image signal in a memory for each display pixel, to sequentially read the contents stored in the memory in accordance with horizontal and vertical sync signals, and to combine the read contents, as a different image signal, with a video signal separately obtained by imaging using the video camera.
Still another method utilizes an arrangement consisting of a graphic memory having an address corresponding to each pixel position on a picture, a microcomputer for writing data at a display address among the addresses within the graphic memory, and a reading circuit for reading the contents stored in the graphic memory. In this method, the contents stored in the graphic memory are read in accordance with horizontal and vertical sync signals, and the read contents are combined as a different image signal with a video signal obtained by photography using a video camera.
A method of combining a different audio signal with an audio signal recorded during photography using a video camera is to prepare a device for generating an audio signal, such as a record player, a tape player or an electronic sound generator, and combine, as by a mixing amplifier, the audio signal generated by such a device with an audio signal recorded during or after photography.
However, as described above there is the disadvantage that the image combining device, which is needed when a different image signal is to be combined with a video signal obtained by photography is different from the sound combining device needed when a different audio signal is to be combined with a recorded audio signal. In addition, since a number of connecting wires are needed for connecting those devices, the connection between the devices and their operation become complicated with the result that an erroneous operation easily occurs and operability is impaired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an information signal controlling system which makes it possible to solve the above-described problems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information signal controlling system which is capable of combining one information signal with another information signal without a special operation.
To achieve the above-described objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information signal controlling system which comprises an information signal generating apparatus for generating a first information signal, and a data holding device which is removably attachable to the information signal generating apparatus and which holds information data corresponding to a second information signal to be combined with the first information signal generated by the information signal generating apparatus and holds control data for controlling an operation for combining the second information signal with the first information signal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information signal controlling system which is capable of arbitrarily combining one image signal with another image signal, or one audio signal with another audio signal, with an easy operation.
To achieve the above object, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided: (1) an information signal controlling system which comprises an information signal generating apparatus for generating a first image signal and a first audio signal; and (2) a data holding device which is removably attachable to the information signal generating apparatus and which holds (a) image information data corresponding to a second image signal to be combined with the first image signal generated by the information signal generating apparatus, (b) audio information data corresponding to a second audio signal to be combined with the first audio signal generated by the information signal generating apparatus, and (c) control data having a (i) first combination mode for carrying out only the operation of combining the second image signal generated on the basis of the image information data with the first image signal, (ii) a second combination mode for carrying out only the operation of combining the second audio signal generated on the basis of the audio information data with the first audio signal, and (iii) a third combination mode for carrying out both the operation of combining the second image signal with the first image signal and the operation of combining the second audio signal with the first audio signal. A combining operation is controlled on the basis of any of the first, second and third combination modes of the control data.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an information signal controlling system which is capable of combining one image signal with another image signal, or one audio signal with another audio signal, in an arbitrary order, with an easy operation and without the need for a special operation
To achieve the above object, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided: (1) an information signal controlling system which comprises an information signal generating apparatus for generating a first image signal; and (2) a first audio signal, and a data holding device which is removably attachable to the information signal generating apparatus and which holds (a) information data corresponding to a second image signal and a second audio signal which are to be combined with the first image signal and the first audio signal, respectively, and which are generated by the information signal generating apparatus, (b) image combination control data for controlling a combining operation for the second image signal, (c) sound combination control data for controlling a combining operation for the second audio signal, (d) and control order specifying data for specifying a control order for the image combination control data and the sound combination control data.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4858012 (1989-08-01), Hino et al.
patent: 5016112 (1991-05-01), Nakajima et al.
patent: 5124814 (1992-06-01), Takahashi et al.
Hieda Teruo
Shinoda Nobuhiko
Takahashi Koji
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Christensen Andrew B.
Robin Blecker & Daley
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