Apparatus for converting video signal

• US 6,226,040 B1
• Filed: 04/14/1998
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AVerMedia Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AVerMedia Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Cheng, Hsien-Wen, Chen, Kun-Chou, Chang, Yung-Che, Kuo, Chung-Song
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Yenke, Brian P.
• Application Number:
  US09/059,683
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 348/441, 348/446, 348/561, 348/562, 348/565, 348/576, 348/577, 348/581, 348/582, 345/127, 345/145, 345/146, 345/147, 345/150, 345/212
• US Class Current: 348/446
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/006 Details of the interface to the display terminal specific for a display terminal using a CRT G09G1/167; using a flat panel G09G3/2096; circuits for interfacing with colour displays G09G5/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/10 Separation of line synchronising signal from frame synchronising signal or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/0105 using a storage device with different write and read speed

Abstract

Apparatus for generating at least a selected area in a picture is disclosed herein. The picture and the selected area are displayed on a video display means, and the user can optionally adjust the position and size of the selected area. The apparatus including the following devices. A first converting device that is used to generate a digital signal and a pointer defining signal according to a computer video signal. The picture is transferred from the computer video signal, and the selected area is defined in the pointer defining signal. A first adapting device that is utilized to adapt the format of the computer video signal to suit a digital display format corresponding to the pointer defining signal. A storage device determines said display timing of all the pixels of the picture. A pointer generating device generates a plurality of edge of the selected area according to the pointer defining signal. The pointer generates device defines the color and brightness of all the pixels of the picture and the selected area, and the plurality of edge of the selected area can be moved dynamically according to the pointer defining signal. A second converting device converts the output signal of the pointer generating device to an analog form corresponding to the pointer defining signal. A second adapting device adapts the converted output signal of the pointer generating device to suit an analog display format, the signal processed by the video display device being of the analog display format.

Claims

1. Apparatus for generating at least a frame enclosing at least a selected area in a picture, said picture and said selected area being displayed on a video display means, a position, a color and a size of said frame enclosing said selected area can be optionally adjusted, a signal displayed by said video display means being of an analog display format said apparatus comprising:

first converting means for controlling a display timing of every pixel of said picture by converting a computer video signal from an analog form to a digital form, said first converting means generating a digital signal and a pointer defining signal, said picture being transferred from said computer video signal, said selected area being defined in said pointer defining signal;

first adapting means for adapting a format of said computer video signal to suit a digital display format corresponding to said pointer defining signal;

storage means for determining said display timing of all pixels of said picture, said storage means stores said computer video signal corresponding to said pointer defining signal, said storage means also outputs an adapted digital signal including every pixel of said picture;

pointer generating means for generating said frame at a plurality of edge of said selected area according to said pointer defining signal, said pointer generating means defines a plurality of colors and brightness of all said pixels of said picture and said selected area, said frame can be moved dynamically according to said pointer defining signal;

second converting means for converting an output signal of said pointer generating means to an analog form corresponding to said pointer defining signal; and

second adapting means for adapting a converted output signal of said pointer generating means to suit said analog display format,

wherein said first converting means comprises;

an analog to digital converter for converting said computer video signal from said analog form to said digital form;

a sampling timing generator for generating a sampling-timing sequence according to said computer video signal, said sampling-timing sequence being used for sampling said computer video signal in said analog to digital converter;

processing means for generating a display setting signal and a parameter setting signal according to a displaying-control signal, said processing means being provided to control a parameter used in a video display format; and

displaying signal generating means for controlling said display timing of every said pixel of said picture by generating a displaying-timing sequence according to said display setting signal, said computer video signal and said sampling timing signal, said displaying signal generating means generates said pointer defining signal, said displaying-timing sequence being included in said pointer defining signals said displaying signal generating means being provided to control a feature including the number, position scope, color and brightness of said selected area.

2. The apparatus as claim 1, wherein said frame at said plurality of edges of said selected area composes a rectangular area.

6. The apparatus as claim 1, wherein said second converting means comprises an digital to analog converter, said digital to analog converter processes the output signal of said image processing means according to said displaying-timing sequence.

7. The apparatus as claim 1, wherein said second adapting means comprises an image signal adapter, said image signal adapter adapts the format of the output signal of said digital to analog converter to said analog display format.

8. The apparatus as claim 1, wherein said video display means is chosen from a group consisting of a television, a LCD display, and a LCD projector.

3. Apparatus for generating at least a frame enclosing at least a selected area in a picture, said picture and said selected area being displayed on a video display means, a position, a color and a size of said frame enclosing said selected area can be optionally adjusted, a signal displayed by said video display means being of an analog display format said apparatus comprising:

first converting means for controlling a display timing of every pixel of said picture by converting a computer video signal from an analog form to a digital form, said first converting means generating a digital signal and a pointer defining signal, said picture being transferred from said computer video signal said selected area being defined in said pointer defining signal;

first adapting means for adapting a format of said computer video signal to suit a digital display format corresponding to said pointer defining signal;

storage means for determining said display timing of all pixels of said picture, said storage means stores said computer video signal corresponding to said pointer defining signal, said storage means also outputs an adapted digital signal including every pixel of said picture;

pointer generating means for generating said frame at a plurality of edge of said selected area according to said pointer defining signal, said pointer generating means defines a plurality of colors and brightness of all said pixels of said picture and said selected area, said frame can be moved dynamically according to said pointer defining signal;

second converting means for converting an output signal of said pointer generating means to an analog form corresponding to said pointer defining signal; and

second adapting means for adapting a converted output signal of said pointer generating means to suit said analog display format, wherein said pointer generating means comprises;

pointer defining means for defining said plurality of pixel at said frame of said selected area according to said pointer defining signal and said parameter setting signal, said pointer defining means outputs an control signal; and

image processing means for generating all said pixels of said picture, said image processing means generating said color and brightness of all said pixels of said picture according to said adapted digital signal and said control signal.

4. The apparatus as claim 3, wherein said pointer defining means comprises:

a control signal shift register for defining said color and brightness of said pixels of said selected area according to said parameter setting signal;

a first position shift register for storing the position in a horizontal direction of said pixels at said plurality of edge of said selected area according to said parameter setting signal;

a first counter for counting the pixel from a first end of said picture to a second end of said picture in said horizontal direction according said displaying-timing sequence;

a second position shift register for storing the position in a vertical direction of the pixels at said frame of said selected area according to said parameter setting signal;

a second counter for counting the pixels from a third end of said picture to a fourth end of said picture in said vertical direction according said displaying-timing sequence;

a first comparator for filtering the pixels in said horizontal direction within said selected area;

a second comparator for filtering the pixels in said vertical direction within said selected area; and

a logic processor for determining the brightness and color of the output pixel of said image processing means by outputting said control signal.

5. The apparatus as claim 3, wherein said image processing means comprises:

a plurality of brightness control devices for forming a plurality of pixels with at least two kinds of brightness;

a color control device for providing the color of said pixels surrounded by said plurality of edge of said selected area; and

a multiplexer for combining the color and the brightness of all said pixels of said picture, said multiplexer selects one of said plurality of pixels according to said control signal, said control signal is a logic signal used to switch said multiplexer.

9. Apparatus for generating at least a frame enclosing at least a selected area in a picture, said picture and said selected area being displayed on a video display means, a position, a color and a size of said frame enclosing said selected area can be optionally adjusted, a signal displayed by said video display means being of an analog display format said apparatus comprising:

first converting means for controlling a display timing of every pixel of said picture by converting a computer video signal from an analog form to a digital form, said first converting means generating a digital signal and a pointer defining signal, said picture being transferred from said computer video signal, said selected area being defined in said pointer defining signal;

first adapting means for adapting the format of said computer video signal to suit a digital display format corresponding to said pointer defining signal;

storage means for determining said display timing of all the pixels of said picture, said storage means stores said computer video signal of said digital display format corresponding to said pointer defining signal, said storage means also outputs an adapted digital signal including every pixel of said picture;

pointer defining means for defining said plurality of pixel at a plurality of edge of said selected area according to said pointer defining signal and said parameter setting signal, said pointer defining means outputting an control signal and defining the color and brightness of all the pixels of said picture and said selected area, said plurality of edge of said selected area can be moved dynamically according to said pointer defining signal;

image processing means for generating all the pixels of said picture, said image processing means generating the color and brightness of all the pixels of said picture according to said adapted digital signal and said control signal;

second converting means for converting the output signal of said pointer generating means to an analog form corresponding to said pointer defining signal; and

second adapting means for adapting the converted output signal of said pointer generating means to suit said analog display format,

wherein said first converting means comprises;

an analog to digital converter for converting said computer video signal from an analog form to a digital form;

a sampling-timing generator for generating a sampling-timing sequence according to said computer video signal, said sampling-timing sequence being used for sampling said computer video signal in said analog to digital converter;

processing means for generating a display setting signal and a parameter setting signal according to a displaying-control signal, said processing means being provided to control a parameter used in a video display format; and

displaying signal generating means for controlling said display timing of every said pixel of said picture by generating a displaying-timing sequence according to said display setting signal, said computer video signal and said sampling timing signal, said displaying signal generating means generates said pointer defining signal, said displaying-timing sequence being included in said pointer defining signal, said displaying signal generating means being provided to control a feature including the number, position, scope color and brightness of said selected area.

10. The apparatus as claim 9, wherein said plurality of edge of said selected area composes a rectangular area.

13. The apparatus as claim 9, wherein said second converting means comprises an digital to analog converter, said digital to analog converter processes the output signal of said image processing means according to said displaying-timing sequence.

14. The apparatus as claim 9, wherein said second adapting means comprises an image signal adapter, said image signal adapter adapts the format of the output signal of said digital to analog converter to said analog display format.

15. The apparatus as claim 9, wherein said video display means is chosen from a group consisting of a television, a LCD display, and a LCD projector.

11. Apparatus for generating at least a frame enclosing at least a selected area in a picture, said picture and said selected area being displayed on a video display means, a position, a color and a size of said frame enclosing said selected area can be optionally adjusted, a signal displayed by said video display means being of an analog display format said apparatus comprising:

first converting means for controlling a display timing of every pixel of said picture by converting a computer video signal from an analog form to a digital form, said first converting means generating a digital signal and a pointer defining signal, said picture being transferred from said computer video signal, said selected area being defined in said pointer defining signal;

first adapting means for adapting the format of said computer video signal to suit a digital display format corresponding to said pointer defining signal;

storage means for determining said display timing of all the pixels of said picture, said storage means stores said computer video signal of said digital display format corresponding to said pointer defining signal, said storage means also outputs an adapted digital signal including every pixel of said picture;

pointer defining means for defining said plurality of pixel at a plurality of edge of said selected area according to said pointer defining signal and said parameter setting signal, said pointer defining means outputting an control signal and defining the color and brightness of all the pixels of said picture and said selected area, said plurality of edge of said selected area can be moved dynamically according to said pointer defining signal;

image processing means for generating all the pixels of said picture, said image processing means generating the color and brightness of all the pixels of said picture according to said adapted digital signal and said control signal;

second converting means for converting the output signal of said pointer generating means to an analog form corresponding to said pointer defining signal; and

second adapting means for adapting the converted output signal of said pointer generating means to suit said analog display format, wherein said pointer defining means comprises;

a control signal shift register for defining the color and brightness of the pixels of said selected area according to said parameter setting signal;

a control signal shift register for defining the color and brightness of the pixels of said selected area according to said parameter setting signal;

a fist position shift register for storing the position in a horizontal direction of the pixels at said plurality of edge of said selected area according to said parameter setting signal;

a first counter for counting the pixel from a first end of said picture to a second end of said picture in said horizontal direction according said displaying-timing sequence;

a second position shift register for storing the position in a vertical direction of the pixels at said plurality of edge of said selected area according to said parameter setting signal;

a second counter for counting the pixel from a third end of said picture to a fourth end of said picture in said vertical direction according said displaying-timing sequence;

a first comparator for filtering the pixels of the position in said horizontal direction within said plurality of edge of said selected area;

a second comparator for filtering the pixels of the position in said vertical direction within said plurality of edge of said selected area; and

a logic processor for determining the brightness and color of the output pixel of said image processing means by outputting a control signal.

12. Apparatus for generating at least a frame enclosing at least a selected area in a picture, said picture and said selected area being displayed on a video display means, a position, a color and a size of said frame enclosing said selected area can be optionally adjusted, a signal displayed by said video display means being of an analog display format said apparatus comprising:

first converting means for controlling a display timing of every pixel of said picture by converting a computer video signal from an analog form to a digital form, said first converting means generating a digital signal and a pointer defining signal, said picture being transferred from said computer video signal, said selected area being defined in said pointer defining signal;

first adapting means for adapting the format of said computer video signal to suit a digital display format corresponding to said pointer defining signal;

storage means for determining said display timing of all the pixels of said picture, said storage means stores said computer video signal of said digital display format corresponding to said pointer defining signal said storage means also outputs an adapted digital signal including every pixel of said picture;

pointer defining means for defining said plurality of pixel at a plurality of edge of said selected area according to said pointer defining signal and said parameter setting signal, said pointer defining means outputting an control signal and defining the color and brightness of all the pixels of said picture and said selected area said plurality of edge of said selected area can be moved dynamically according to said pointer defining signal;

image processing means for generating all the pixels of said picture, said image processing means generating the color and brightness of all the pixels of said picture according to said adapted digital signal and said control signal;

second converting means for converting the output signal of said pointer generating means to an analog form corresponding to said pointer defining signal; and

second adapting means for adapting the converted output signal of said pointer generating means to suit said analog display format, wherein said image processing means comprises;

a plurality of brightness control device for forming a plurality of pixel of various brightness;

color control device for providing the color of the pixels surrounded by said plurality of edge of said selected area; and

a multiplexer for combining the color and the brightness of all pixels of said picture, said multiplexer selects one of said plurality of pixel of various brightness according to said control signal, said control signal is a logic signal used to switch said multiplexer.