Multi-camera virtual set system employing still store frame buffers for each camera
First Claim
1. Apparatus for producing data in a virtual set memory representing a composite image from a combination of a virtual image and a camera field of view image, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of cameras, each disposed for capturing data representing a respective field of view and each having a frame buffer associated therewith for receiving and storing data representing virtual images, for subsequent selective retrieval;
a virtual image data source for generating data representing virtual images and for supplying such data to the frame buffer associated with a broadcast camera configured for moving spatially, wherein the last image drawn by the image generator is stored in the frame buffer when the broadcast camera stops moving and then virtual image is supplied to another single movable camera; and
a means for compositing data representing the field of view of a selected one of the plurality of cameras and data representing a virtual image retrieved from a frame buffer associated with the selected one of the plurality of cameras, to produce data in the virtual set memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for producing data in a virtual set memory representing a composite image. The composite image data is produced from a combination of data representing a virtual image and data representing a camera field of view image. The invention includes a plurality of cameras, each disposed for developing data representing a respective field of view and each having a still store frame buffer associated therewith for receiving and storing data representing virtual images. The still store frame buffers are configured for subsequent selective retrieval. The invention also includes a virtual image data source for generating data representing virtual images and for supplying such data to the still store frame buffers associated with each of the plurality of cameras. Finally, the invention includes at least one compositor for compositing data representing the field of view of a selected one of the plurality of cameras and data representing a virtual image retrieved from a still store frame buffer associated with the selected one of the plurality of cameras. The compositor produces data in the virtual set memory.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for producing data in a virtual set memory representing a composite image from a combination of a virtual image and a camera field of view image, the apparatus comprising:
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a plurality of cameras, each disposed for capturing data representing a respective field of view and each having a frame buffer associated therewith for receiving and storing data representing virtual images, for subsequent selective retrieval; a virtual image data source for generating data representing virtual images and for supplying such data to the frame buffer associated with a broadcast camera configured for moving spatially, wherein the last image drawn by the image generator is stored in the frame buffer when the broadcast camera stops moving and then virtual image is supplied to another single movable camera; and a means for compositing data representing the field of view of a selected one of the plurality of cameras and data representing a virtual image retrieved from a frame buffer associated with the selected one of the plurality of cameras, to produce data in the virtual set memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17)
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11. A method for producing data in a virtual set memory representing a composite image from a combination of a virtual image and a camera field of view image, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a plurality of cameras, each having a field of view and each having a frame buffer associated therewith; (b) providing a virtual image data source for generating data representing a virtual image; (c) storing the data representing the virtual image in the frame buffers associated with one broadcast camera while said camera is moving, wherein the last image drawn by the image generator is stored in the frame buffer when the broadcast camera stops moving and the virtual image is supplied to another single moving camera; (d) selectively retrieving the data representing the virtual image from one of the frame buffers of one of the plurality of cameras; and (e) compositing data representing a field of view of one of said plurality of cameras and the data representing the virtual image of one of the frame buffers to produce data in the virtual set memory. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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18. A method for producing data in a virtual set memory representing a composite image from a combination of a virtual image and a camera field of view image, the method comprising the step of:
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(a) providing a plurality of cameras, each having a field of view and each having a frame buffer associated therewith; (b) providing a virtual image data source in each frame buffer for rendering data representing a virtual image; (c) rendering and storing the data representing the virtual image in each of the frame buffers associated with each camera when a camera is not moving; (d) selectively retrieving the data representing the virtual image from one of the frame buffers of one of the plurality of cameras; and (e) compositing data representing a field of view of one of said plurality of cameras and the data representing the virtual image in the corresponding frame buffer to produce data in the virtual set memory.
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Specification