Television – Camera – system and detail – Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
Reexamination Certificate
1997-03-18
2001-09-18
Garber, Wendy R. (Department: 2612)
Television
Camera, system and detail
Combined image signal generator and general image signal...
C348S578000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292219
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to the field of photography, and in particular to motion photography. More specifically, the invention relates to a digital motion processing system useful with image capture and playback systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For many reasons, consumer captured video programs are often boring to view, compared to professionally-captured programs. Among these reasons are unprofessional scene changes, and “unmodifiable” camera capture operations. In present motion imaging systems, the image capture media exists essentially for storage of captured sound and images. For example, analog video tape-based camcorders capture sound and images and store them on a video tape at video rates. Consequently, the video tape is used merely to record the vast amount of sound and images that constitute the video signal stream.
Even in more recent digital video tape systems, the image capture media is used only for recording the data which constitutes the video stream. The tape cassette may include a provision for a separate solid state memory, but that memory is not used to capture the continuous video stream. Its purpose, to date, is to index and categorize the video stream recorded on the tape.
In connection with electronic still imaging systems, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,264, it is known to capture and store images in a removable still image storage device, which is also loaded with enhancement files for effecting the operation of the system. A type of enhancement file contained in the still image storage device comprises pre-existing image data files, i.e., files with images not captured by the camera system. Such files are accompanied by code which instructs the camera on how to merge the pre-existing image files with those captured by the camera. In this manner graphic overlays and text can be superimposed on the captured still images by the camera to generate, e.g., a birthday message superimposed over the captured image. Proper execution of such a feature might include a user interface for selection of pre-existing image and overlay combinations, and also a viewfinder which helps the user to compose the captured image so as to complement the selected overlay.
To date, however, in motion capture systems, pre-recorded data is not used to enhance and improve the quality of content of the consumer-captured motion video content. While clearly the same video tape could be pre-recorded with material recorded from broadcast TV or other professional sources, these two types of video streams (consumer and professional) would remain separate and distinct on the capture medium, and do not act upon each other. It would be desirable to have a simple way, at least for the user, to achieve professional caliber in amateur motion video sequences, particular at the transition between scenes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a motion image processing system applies special effects to a motion image recorded on a motion storage medium by utilizing other data that is also recorded on the motion storage medium. In particular, the motion image processing system includes means for generating a digital image signal stream; means for accessing the other data recorded on the motion storage medium, where the other data comprises prerecorded information for generating at least one special effect in conjunction with the recorded images; a signal processing section for applying the special effect to the digital image signal stream; and means for loading the signal processing section with the prerecorded information on the motion recording medium in order to generate the special effect.
By providing the motion recording medium with pre-recorded imagery and/or data which interacts with the user-captured video stream, it is technically feasible to provide a more appealing “edited” video stream that would be difficult or impossible to achieve without extensive editing equipment. Consequently, a camcorder or other playback and recording devices may use the pre-recorded imagery and/or data to act upon the user captured video stream and achieve a professional caliber video product.
These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.
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“Video Demystified: A Handbook for the Digital Engineer” by Keith Jack, 2nd ed. HighText Interactive, Inc., 1996.
“Avid Field Systems” product specifications.
Fredlund John R.
Parulski Kenneth A.
Eastman Kodak Company
Garber Wendy R.
Nguyen Luong
Woods David M.
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