Media pipeline with multichannel video processing and playback
First Claim
1. A circuit for processing first and second sequences of digital still images defining motion video to provide digital video effects, using a video encoder having an input for receiving digital video information defining digital still images and an output providing a motion video signal according to the digital still images and having a frequency and synchronization signals associated with the frequency and the size of an image represented by the motion video signal and an output indicating a demand for data when data can be received by the input, the circuit comprising:
- a first buffer for receiving, storing and communicating digital video information defining pixels of the first sequence of digital still images;
a second buffer for receiving, storing and communicating digital video information defining pixels of the second sequence of digital still images;
a first controller for receiving and directing digital video information defining the first and second sequences of digital still images to one of the first and second buffers respectively, and for maintaining valid data in the first and second buffers to allow reading of data from the first and second buffers;
a blender having a first input connected to the first buffer, a second input connected to the second buffer and an output providing digital video information defining pixels of a combination of pixels in the first and second sequences of digital still images; and
a second controller having an input connected to receive the output from the video encoder indicating demands for data and for reading digital information from the first and second buffers into the first and second inputs of the blender according to availability of valid data in the first and second buffers and demands for data from the video encoder.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention improves over the prior art by providing a media pipeline with two channels for processing sequences of digital still images. A blender is provided so as to enable simple effects on these two streams of video data such as dissolves, wipes and chroma keys. Complex arbitrary three-dimensional effects and other effects may also be provided using an external interface.
Thus, a system for processing sequences of digital still images to provide real-time digital video effects includes first and second channels for communicating first and second sequences of digital still images at a rate for simulating video. A controller directs still images to one of the first and second channels. A blender, having a first input connected to the first channel, a second input connected to the second channel, and an output, provides a combination of the first and second sequences of digital still images at a rate for simulating video.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A circuit for processing first and second sequences of digital still images defining motion video to provide digital video effects, using a video encoder having an input for receiving digital video information defining digital still images and an output providing a motion video signal according to the digital still images and having a frequency and synchronization signals associated with the frequency and the size of an image represented by the motion video signal and an output indicating a demand for data when data can be received by the input, the circuit comprising:
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a first buffer for receiving, storing and communicating digital video information defining pixels of the first sequence of digital still images; a second buffer for receiving, storing and communicating digital video information defining pixels of the second sequence of digital still images; a first controller for receiving and directing digital video information defining the first and second sequences of digital still images to one of the first and second buffers respectively, and for maintaining valid data in the first and second buffers to allow reading of data from the first and second buffers; a blender having a first input connected to the first buffer, a second input connected to the second buffer and an output providing digital video information defining pixels of a combination of pixels in the first and second sequences of digital still images; and a second controller having an input connected to receive the output from the video encoder indicating demands for data and for reading digital information from the first and second buffers into the first and second inputs of the blender according to availability of valid data in the first and second buffers and demands for data from the video encoder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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8. A method for blending first and second sequences of digital still images without timing signals and defining motion video to create a third sequence of digital still images without timing signals and defining motion video, comprising the steps of:
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periodically transferring pixel data of images from the first and second sequences into first and second buffer circuits to maintain valid data in the first and second buffer circuits according to demand for the pixel data; receiving an indication of a blend operation to be performed on the images; sequentially reading corresponding pairs of pixels of each of the images from the first and second sequences from the first and second buffer circuits according to availability of valid data in the first and second buffer circuits and demand for the pixel data in the third sequence of digital still images; selecting a blending factor according to the indicated blend operation and a relative position of a combination of the selected pixels in the desired output image; and blending the selected pixels according to the selected factor to generate pixels in the image of the third sequence desired output. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification