Image-modification methods

• US 6,169,840 B1
• Filed: 01/25/1993
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1954
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Original Assignee: Jerome H. Lemelson
• Inventors: Lemelson, Jerome H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, THAI Q
• Application Number:
  US08/008,493
• Time in Patent Office: 2,899 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.592, H04/N.576, H04/N.578, H04/N.5781, H04/N.5782, H04/N.5783, H04/N.979, H04/N.989, 358/335, 358/310, 358/311, 358/312, 358/313, 358/319, 358/322, 358/327, 358/339, 360/33.1, 360/38.1, 360/13, 360/14.1, 360/14.3
• US Class Current: 386/201
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/10 measured by light-responsive means sorting according to colour B07C5/342
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/022 by means of tv-camera scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33192 Radio link, wireless
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36395 Load local computer program from host, data transfer ram to rom, BTR
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36511 Select by a detector
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36513 Select out of a plurality of programs, patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/37572 Camera, tv, vision
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40283 Reservoir with additional material on vehicle with manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40284 Toolrack on vehicle with manipulator, toolchanger
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0014 Image feed-back for automatic industrial control, e.g. robot with camera robots B25J19/023
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 7/12 Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19602 Image analysis to detect motion of the intruder, e.g. by frame subtraction
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1963 Arrangements allowing camera rotation to change view, e.g. pivoting camera, pan-tilt and zoom [PTZ]
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19634 Electrical details of the system, e.g. component blocks for carrying out specific functions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19652 Systems using zones in a single scene defined for different treatment, e.g. outer zone gives pre-alarm, inner zone gives alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7822 with stationary magnetic heads
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/78263 for recording on tracks inclined relative to the direction of movement of the tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9201 : involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the video signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/9205 : the additional signal being at least another television signal

Abstract

Methods for recording, reproducing, modifying, and displaying image information. An electro-optical scanner, such as a camera, scans an image field and generates signals that vary in accordance with variations in the optical characteristics of the matter and objects in the image field scanned. Bit codes define the locations on a recording member of groups of the output electrical signals, such as a frame of image information or an object in the scanned image field. Further codes define desired modifications to be made to such groups of signals, such as alteration of intensity or superimposition. The location codes and the modification codes are applied to the signals representing image information to modify those signals, and the modified groups of information signals are applied to generate a modified image on an electronic viewing screen.

Claims

1. A method for recording, reproducing, and processing video image information comprising:

(a) generating a plurality of groups of video image information signals, each group defining a single frame image consisting of multiple line scans across the frame and including line and frame synchronization signals, wherein each group is suitable for controlling and synchronizing the modulation of a picture-generating write-beam of a video monitor-screen,

(b) recording said groups of image information signals on different recording locations of an addressable multi-track magnetic storage member by;

(1) passing said groups of image information signals to a magnetic head, (2) effecting relative movement between said magnetic recording head and said magnetic storage member, and (3) controlling said head to magnetically scan and record select groups of signals at select recording locations of said storage members

(c) recording respective first digital codes on said magnetic storage member, each of said first digital codes indicating the location of a respective group of the image information signals recorded on a respective select recording location of the storage member,

(d) recording second digital codes on said magnetic storage member, said second digital codes controlling an image modification to be made to a group of image information signals recorded on said storage member defining a selected area within the image,

(e) thereafter employing said first digital codes to locate a select group of image information signals recorded on said storage member defining a frame, and

(f) thereafter employing said second digital codes to control a modification of the image defined by the group of image information signals defining the frame, and applying the image information signals to generate a modified image on a video monitor-screen.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the recording of said groups of image information signals is effected on a plurality of select portions of different recording tracks of said magnetic storage member.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising storing said modified group of image information signals on a storage member.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein employing said second digital codes to control a modification of the image information comprises fading the selected area of the image frame by reducing the light intensity without altering the content of the image.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein employing said second digital codes to control a modification of the image information comprises amplifying the selected area of the image frame by increasing the light intensity without altering the content of the image.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein employing said second digital codes to control a modification of the image information comprises erasing the selected area of the image frame.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein employing said second digital codes to control a modification of the image information comprises sharpening the selected area of the image frame.

8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein employing said second digital codes to control a modification of the image information comprises using a second of said groups of image information signals defining a second video image to replace the selected area of said first video image with at least a portion of said second video image.

9. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising analyzing said groups of image information signals within the selected area of the image frame.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 wherein said selected area comprises a rectangular area in said image frame.

11. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising analyzing said groups of image information signals to identify a selected characteristic of the image frame.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said image information signals are originally in analog form, and further comprising converting said groups of image information signals from analog to digital form and recording said signals in digital form.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein generating said groups of image information signals includes scanning a selected image field with an imaging device, and wherein said image information signals vary in accordance with variations in the observed characteristics of the scanned image field.

14. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising applying said modified group of image information signals to generate an image on a video monitor-screen of a video display device by applying analog signals to modulate the write-beam of the video monitor-screen.

15. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein employing said second digital codes to control a modification of the image comprises applying a plurality of said second digital codes to effect a plurality of modifications to said image.

16. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein information-signal generation includes generating a series of groups of video image information signals, each representing one of a series of images of a motion picture.

17. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein said selected area comprises a rectangular area in said image frame.

18. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said selected area comprises a rectangular area in said first video image.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein employing said second digital codes to control a modification of the image comprises selecting said second digital codes from a plurality of image-processing codes stored on said magnetic storage member and reproducing the selected second digital codes from said magnetic storage member.

20. A method for recording, reproducing and processing image information comprising:

(a) generating first information signals defining video image information arranged in the form of a plurality of frames of video data, each frame including data defining the image content along multiple lines, the signals describing the modulation and synchronization of the horizontal and vertical movement of a picture-generating write-beam of a video monitor-screen,

(b) recording said first information signals on a multi-track magnetic recording head, by;

(1) passing said first information signals to a magnetic recording head, (2) effecting relative movement between said magnetic recording head and said magnetic recording member, and (3) controlling said head to magnetically scan and record said first information signals on a select portion of said recording member,

(c) selectively reproducing a frame of said first information signals from said magnetic recording member and applying said reproduced signals to control the generation on a video monitor-screen of a first image frame defined by said reproduced first information signals,

(d) recording first image-changing signals on said recording member, and

(e) reproducing said first image-changing signals and applying said reproduced first image-changing signals to control the modification of image information consisting of a selected area of the image defined by said reproduced first information signals and to control the generation of a modified image frame on said video monitor-screen.

21. A method in accordance with claim 20 further comprising storing on a storage member second information signals defining said modified image frame.

22. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein applying said reproduced first image-changing signals to control a modification of the image information defined by the first information signals comprises fading the selected area of the defined image frame by reducing the light intensity without altering the image content.

23. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein applying said reproduced first image-changing signals to control a modification of the image information defined by the first information signals comprises amplifying the selected area of the image frame by increasing the light intensity without altering the image content.

24. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein applying said reproduced first image-changing signals to control a modification of the image information defined by the first information signals comprises erasing the selected area of the image frame.

25. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein applying said reproduced first image-changing signals to control a modification of the image information defined by the first information signals comprises sharpening the selected area of the image frame.

26. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein applying said first image-changing signals to control a modification of the image information defined by the first information signals comprises using a second of said groups of information signals defining a second video image to replace the selected area of said first video image frame with at least a portion of said second video image.

27. A method in accordance with claim 20 further comprising analyzing said first information signals within the selected area of the image frame.

28. A method in accordance with claim 27 wherein said selected area comprises a rectangular area in said image frame.

29. A method in accordance with claim 20 further comprising analyzing said first information signals to identify a selected characteristic of the image frame.

30. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein said first information signals are originally in analog form, and further comprising converting said first information signals from analog to digital form and recording said signals in digital form.

31. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein generating first information signals includes scanning a selected image field with an imaging device, and wherein said information signals vary in accordance with variations in the observed characteristics of the scanned image field.

32. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein applying said selected first image-changing signals includes:

(a) employing said first image-changing signals to modify analog recorded first information signals, (b) reproducing said modified signals from said recording member, and (c) applying said analog signals to inputs of said video monitor-screen to display modified image information.

33. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein applying said reproduced first image-changing signals to control a modification of the image information defined by the first information signals comprises applying a plurality of said signals to effect a plurality of modifications to said image information.

34. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein information-signal generation includes generating information signals representing a plurality of sequential images of a motion picture.

35. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein generating said first information signals includes controllably scanning an object in an image field and generating scanning signals that vary in accordance with variations in the characteristics of the scanned object, and wherein said scanning signals are employed to generate said information signals.

36. A method in accordance with claim 24 wherein said selected area comprises a rectangular area in said image frame.

37. A method in accordance with claim 26 wherein said selected area comprises a rectangular area in said first video image frame.

38. The method of claim 20 wherein reproducing said first image-changing signals comprises first selecting said first image-changing signals form a plurality of image-processing signals stored on said magnetic storage member and reproducing the selected first image-changing signals from said magnetic storage member.

39. A method for reproducing and processing stored image signals comprising:

(a) providing a storage member containing (i) video information signals defining image content along a plurality of parallel lines forming a frame and the location of inter-line boundaries, thereby defining a visually perceptible image, and (ii) image-changing signals;

(b) reproducing the video information signals from the storage member and applying the reproduced video information signals to control generation on a video monitor-screen of the image defined by the video information signals;

(c) reproducing the image-changing signals;

(d) applying the reproduced imaged-changing signals to control a modification of a selected area consisting of less than all of the image defined by the video information signals; and

(e) controlling the generation on the video monitor-screen of the modified image.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein part (d) comprises modifying the reproduced information signals, and further comprising erasing the reproduced information signals from the storage member and recording the modified information signals on the storage member at the same location as the reproduced information signals.

41. A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising electronically storing additional information signals defining said modified image.

42. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein part (d) comprises fading the selected area of the defined image frame by reducing the light intensity without altering the image content.

43. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein part (d) comprises amplifying the selected area of the image frame by increasing the light intensity without altering the image content.

44. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein part (d) comprises erasing the selected area of the image frame.

45. A method in accordance with claim 44 wherein said selected area comprises a rectangular area in said image frame.

46. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein part (d) comprises sharpening the selected area of the image frame.

47. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein part (a) comprises providing a storage member also containing second video information signals defining image content along a plurality of parallel lines forming a frame and the location of inter-line boundaries, thereby defining a second visually perceptible image, and wherein part (d) comprises using the second video information signals to replace the selected image area of the image defined by the reproduced video information signals with at least a portion of said second image.

48. A method in accordance with claim 47 wherein said selected image area comprises a rectangular area.

49. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein part (d) comprises applying a plurality of said image-changing signals to effect a plurality of modifications to said image.

50. A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising analyzing those of said video information signals defining the selected area of the image frame.

51. A method in accordance with claim 50 wherein said selected area comprises a rectangular area in said image frame.

52. A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising analyzing said video information signals to identify a selected characteristic of the image frame.

53. A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising, first, generating video information signals by scanning a selected image field with an imaging device, said video information signals varying in accordance with variations in the observed characteristics of the scanned image field, and storing said video information signals in said storage member.

54. A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising, first, generating video information signals by controllably scanning an object in an image field and generating scanning signals that vary in accordance with variations in the characteristics of the scanned object, using said scanning signals to generate said video information signals, and storing said video information signals in said storage member.

55. A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising, first, generating video information signals representing a plurality of sequential images of a motion picture, and storing said video information signals in said storage member.

56. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein said video information signals are stored in digital form.

57. A method in accordance with claim 39 wherein part (d) includes:

(i) employing said image-changing signals to modify analog stored video information signals, (ii) reproducing said modified signals from said storage member, and (iii) applying said analog signals to inputs of said video monitor-screen to display a modified image.

58. The method of claim 39 wherein reproducing the image-changing signals comprises selecting the image-changing signals from a plurality of image-processing signals on said storage member and reproducing the selected signals from said storage member.