Television – Basic receiver with additional function – For display of additional information
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-27
2001-09-04
Hsia, Sherrie (Department: 2614)
Television
Basic receiver with additional function
For display of additional information
C348S348000, C348S563000, C348S578000, C348S566000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285409
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for producing a frame around a video image, and to a device for producing a frame around a matrix-like video image, which is in particular suitable for implementing the method.
There are various applications, in particular in television technology, in which a number of images are displayed simultaneously on a screen. Systems in which a smaller picture is inserted into a main picture are known under the designation picture-in-picture systems. In this case, the main picture and inserted picture are usually transmitted on different channels or originate from different video sources.
In order to emphasize the inserted image visually from the main image, the inserted image is provided with a frame. This frame is, for example, a number of pixels wide and runs around the edge of the inserted image.
The insertion of smaller images is also used on the transmitter side at the transmitting station or broadcasting studio. For example, interview partners who are located outside the broadcasting studio are often displayed in their own window within the picture recorded in the studio with the interviewer. Here, the transition from the window to the actual image is generally not carried out seamlessly. A border, which is most often black, ensures that the window stands out from the actual picture.
Both in the case of the inserted images and in the case of the windows described, the desired high degree of distinction, which is to be achieved by the frame, is not always accomplished. In particular in the case of very dark main images or in the case of very small or very large inserted images or windows, it is difficult for the observer to distinguish the main picture immediately and easily from the inserted picture or the window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method and a device for producing a frame around a video image which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known methods and devices of this general type and with which a clear distinction between the main picture and the inserted picture or window is achieved. In particular in the case of the main picture and the inserted picture having an equal or similar contrast or appearance, the distinction between the two should be easily detectable.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for producing a frame around a video image, which includes the steps of:
placing a base frame having a first intensity around a video image by using a frame signal;
producing a first subframe having a second intensity by using the frame signal; and
placing the first subframe around the base frame and providing the first subframe offset with respect to the base frame in a first given direction.
In other words, in accordance with the invention, a simple, flat frame, as has been used hitherto, is expanded or extended in such a way that the impression of a plastic frame or three-dimensional frame is produced. This is achieved through the use of shadowing inside and/or outside the simple frame. The shadowing is referred to in the following text as subframes. As a result of the three-dimensional effect of the plastic frame, the distinguishing power is increased considerably by comparison with a simple, flat, two-dimensional frame. An observer of a picture having this plastic frame not only perceives the color difference between the frame and the main picture or the inserted picture, but also the difference as a result of the impression given by the three-dimensional depth of the frame.
In accordance with another mode of the invention, a second subframe having a third intensity is produced with the frame Signal. The second subframe is placed around the base frame such that the second subframe is offset with respect to the base frame in a second given direction.
In accordance with yet another mode of the invention, the base frame is a closed frame, which breaks through the first subframe.
In accordance with a further mode of the invention, the first and/or second offset direction extends diagonally with respect to the base frame.
In accordance with yet a further mode of the invention, the frame signal has a luminance component and a chrominance component. The second intensity and/or the third intensity of the first and second subframes is controlled with the luminance component.
In other words, according to one exemplary embodiment, in which the signal for forming the frame has a luminance component and a chrominance component, different shadowing effects are achieved from the signal for the frame by changing the luminance component. The color of the shadowing does not have to be additionally specified. Instead, the color of the shadowing is given by the color of the signal for the simple frame. Conventional methods for producing simple, flat frames can simply be expanded into the method according to the invention, since the conventional signal for producing the simple frame be used.
The method according to the invention also permits to switch back and forth between the conventional simple frame and the plastic, three-dimensional frame according to the invention.
With the objects of the invention in view there is also provided, a device for producing a frame around a video image, including:
a counter for counting lines and columns of a matrix-type video image and providing a counter reading;
an insertion circuit operatively connected to the counter and receiving a video image signal and a frame intensity signal for generating an output signal from the video image signal and the frame intensity signal, the insertion circuit being controllable such that in response to given values of the counter reading, the output signal includes the frame intensity signal for producing a frame around the video image, the frame having a frame intensity; and
an intensity control circuit connected to the insertion circuit for controlling the frame intensity as a function of the counter reading of the counter.
In other words, a device according to the invention for producing a plastic frame, according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, uses elements which are also used in a device for producing a simple frame. This means that conventional devices can be extended by an expansion or upgrade in order to form devices according to the invention. The use of elements which are already present or known simplifies the development and implementation of a device according to the invention considerably.
In addition, it is advantageous that the device according to the invention can be changed over or switched between the production of a simple, flat frame and a plastic frame.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the insertion circuit receives a frame intensity signal, which has a chrominance component and a luminance component and the intensity control circuit is configured to control the luminance component. The intensity control circuit may be configured to include a controller for controlling the luminance component.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method and device for producing frames around video images, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4238773 (1980-12-01), Tsuboka et al.
patent: 4616262 (1986-10-01), Toriumi et al.
patent: 5590267 (1996-12-01), Butler et al.
patent: 195 44 139 A1 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 0 539 953 A2 (1993-05-01), None
patent: 2 275 585 (1994-08-01), None
patent: 8163433 (1996-06-01), None
Published International Application No. WO 97/24869 (Patton et al.), dated Jul. 10.
Brett Maik
Burkert Matthias
Greenberg Laurence A.
Hsia Sherrie
Infineon - Technologies AG
Lerner Herbert L.
Stemer Werner H.
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