Video combiner
First Claim
1. A video combiner for combining a plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals with a background video signal, wherein said plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals have a plurality of Z video data associated therewith, said video combiner comprising:
- video receiver means for receiving a background video signal and a plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals, wherein each of said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals has planar Z coefficient data corresponding thereto;
data receiver means for receiving Z plane difference data representing a differential plane corresponding to said planar Z coefficient data, wherein said Z plane difference data includes predetermined horizontal differential coefficients, predetermined vertical differential coefficients and predetermined offset differential constants;
Z priority signal generator means for generating a single Z priority signal dynamically responsive to said received Z plane difference data, wherein said generated single Z priority signal represents relative keying priority for said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals; and
video combiner means for combining said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals with said received background video signal in accordance with said generated single Z priority signal, comprising;
key receiver-prioritizer means for receiving and prioritizing a plurality of key signals in accordance with said generated single Z priority signal to produce a prioritized plurality of key signals; and
keyer means for keying said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals onto said received background video signal in accordance with said prioritized plurality of key signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A video signal combiner includes circuitry for generating a gleam key signal for keying a video image which has been spatially transformed, a plurality of multiplier circuits for simultaneously layering multiple key and video signals in parallel, and circuitry for dynamically maintaining or adjusting Z data priority as the fill video images are spatially transformed. A gleam key is generated in accordance with dynamic planar description data representing the dynamic planar positioning of the gleam within the resultant video image. The gleam key profile or contrast range can be selectively altered prior to its keying of the video image. The multiple key signals can be selectively prioritized relative to one another. The multiplier circuits share common output compensation circuits. Dynamic range for internally generated Z video data is maintained at the maximum range possible using normalized Z data.
27 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A video combiner for combining a plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals with a background video signal, wherein said plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals have a plurality of Z video data associated therewith, said video combiner comprising:
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video receiver means for receiving a background video signal and a plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals, wherein each of said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals has planar Z coefficient data corresponding thereto; data receiver means for receiving Z plane difference data representing a differential plane corresponding to said planar Z coefficient data, wherein said Z plane difference data includes predetermined horizontal differential coefficients, predetermined vertical differential coefficients and predetermined offset differential constants; Z priority signal generator means for generating a single Z priority signal dynamically responsive to said received Z plane difference data, wherein said generated single Z priority signal represents relative keying priority for said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals; and video combiner means for combining said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals with said received background video signal in accordance with said generated single Z priority signal, comprising; key receiver-prioritizer means for receiving and prioritizing a plurality of key signals in accordance with said generated single Z priority signal to produce a prioritized plurality of key signals; and keyer means for keying said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals onto said received background video signal in accordance with said prioritized plurality of key signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A video combining method for combining a plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals with a background video signal, wherein said plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals have a plurality of Z video data associated therewith, said video combining method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a background video signal and a plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals, wherein each of said received plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals has planar Z coefficient data corresponding thereto; receiving Z plane difference data representing a differential plane corresponding to said planar Z coefficient data, wherein said Z plane difference data includes predetermined horizontal differential coefficients, predetermined vertical differential coefficients and predetermined offset differential constants; generating a single Z priority signal dynamically responsive to said Z plane difference data, wherein said single Z priority signal represents relative keying priority for said plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals; and combining said plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals with said background video signal in accordance with said single Z priority signal by performing the steps of; receiving a plurality of key signals; prioritizing said plurality of key signals in accordance with said single Z priority signal to produce a prioritized plurality of key signals; and keying said plurality of spatially transformed fill video signals onto said received background video signal in accordance with said prioritized plurality of key signals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification