Digital processing of theatrical film

• US 5,051,835 A
• Filed: 11/01/1989
• Issued: 09/24/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paramount Pictures Corporation (ViacomCBS Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Paramount Pictures Corporation (ViacomCBS Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bruehl, Thomas L., Childers, William H., Hay, Clifford C., Brewer, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Application Number:
  US07/430,557
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 358/81, 358/82, 358/76, 358/54, 358/334, 358/311, 360/3, 352/67, 352/85, 352/91 R
• US Class Current: 386/324
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/022 Electronic editing of analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/56 Processing of colour picture signals H04N1/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/11 Scanning of colour motion picture films, e.g. for telecine
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/79 Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording

Abstract

A system for processing images in digital format for use on theatrical film. Three digital cameras record RGB image components in a frame-by-frame basis. These components are stored and presented to an image processor for manipulation as may be desired. The image processor includes real time digital discs and color monitors for viewing processed images. Images thus processed may be returned to storage and recombined through printing in superposition using a film recorder.

Claims

1. A method for producing visual effects on theatrical film, comprising the steps of

digitizing into multiple additive color images a theatrical quality film on a frame-by-frame basis;

separately storing each additive color image in digitized form;

separately processing for visual effects the additive color images in digitized form;

separately storing the additive color images in digitized form;

printing the processed and stored additive color images in superposition on theatrical film.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of digitizing theatrical quality film is accomplished at around 2,000×

2,000 pixels per image.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing processed multiple additive color images on real time digital discs and combining said stored images on a color monitor.