Video system for producing video image simulating the appearance of motion picture or other photographic film

• US 5,406,326 A
• Filed: 05/20/1994
• Issued: 04/11/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mediapod LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Harry E. Mowry
• Inventors: Mowry, Craig P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Sr., Edward L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, KIM Y
• Application Number:
  US08/246,739
• Time in Patent Office: 326 Days
• Field of Search: 358/518, 358/527
• US Class Current: 348/121
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/218 Write-once discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/024 on tapes G11B27/028, G11B27/029 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/028 with computer assistance
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/253 Picture signal generating by scanning motion picture films or slide opaques, e.g. for telecine scanning details therefor H04N3/36 ; standard conversion therefor H04N7/0112
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/43 Conversion of monochrome picture signals to colour picture signals for colour picture display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/74 for obtaining special effects H04N9/65 - H04N9/73 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/79 Processing of colour television signals in connection with recording

Abstract

Digital signals are generated and stored for each pixel of a frame of a preferably high definition video originated material. A computer reads the digital signals and converts them to binary image data by employing a selected look-up-table program to reassign color and black component values for each pixel. The programs applied in the component value reassignments are compiled from, and based on, comparative digital video component results of telecined film stocks'"'"' responses to selected color and grey scale gradients as charted against a selected video unit'"'"'s response to the same charts under a selected number of identical lighting circumstances. A projector unit projects the high definition video frame through a macro lens onto a strip of exposed and processed motion picture or other photographic film of an optional grey scale gradient and thus grain pattern density. A precisely aligned, compatible high definition camera unit provides a synching signal to the projector and automatically frames and focuses on the projected image from the reverse side of the celluloid surface, scanning the projected scan lines, to output the grain-embodying image for recording and displaying on a high definition format or external conversation to NTSC for broadcast purposes.

Claims

1. A method for processing information in an image originated on a first medium into data representative of a modified image simulating an image originated on a selected second medium, comprising:

producing digital data representative of the color component response of a selected second medium under a selected group of variables affecting the response of the second medium to subject colors;

storing said digital data in a memory for use in modifying digital data representative of color component values within said image originated on the first medium to simulate each corresponding component response within an image originated on said second medium; and

correlating data groupings derived from said image originated on said first medium with said digital data representative of the color component response of the selected second medium, said data groupings representing color component responses of the first medium to a selected range of subject colors under a selected number of variables affecting the response of the first medium.

2. The method claimed in claim 1, further wherein:

said step of storing digital data representative of the color component response of a selected second medium comprises storing data to which selected data groupings of said first medium color component responses is modified.

3. The method claimed in claim 1, further wherein:

said information defines a selected second medium'"'"'s detailed color component response range as data able to be referenced against the first medium'"'"'s selectively detailed color component response range.

4. The method claimed in claim 1, wherein the first medium comprises video and the second medium comprises photographic film.

5. Apparatus for processing information in an image on a first image storing medium into data representative of a modified image simulating an image originated on a second image storing medium, comprising:

means for producing digital data representative of the color component response of a selected second medium under a selected group of variables affecting the response of the second medium to subject colors;

means for storing said digital data in a memory for use in modifying each digital component in the image originated from the first medium to simulate each corresponding component of an image originated from the second medium; and

means for correlating data groupings derived from the image from the first medium with said digital data representative of the color component response of the selected second medium, said data groupings representing color component responses of the first medium to a selected range of subject colors under a selected number of variables affecting the response of the first medium.

6. The apparatus claimed in claim 5, further wherein:

said means for storing information representative of the color component response of a selected second medium comprises means for storing data to which selected data groupings of said image originating in the first medium color component responses is modified.

7. The apparatus claimed in claimed in claim 5, further wherein:

said information defines a selected second medium'"'"'s selectively detailed color component response range as data able to be referenced against the first medium'"'"'s selectively detailed color component response range.

8. The apparatus claimed in claim 5, wherein the first medium comprises video and the second medium comprises photographic film.