“Midlink” virtual insertion system
First Claim
1. A television system wherein a target region in successive video images is replaced by a matching representation pattern adapted to be inserted into said target region, said system comprising:
- at least one television camera for producing a sequence of video images of a scene;
a mobile control room located on-site with said at least one camera and including broadcast image processing means for receiving said video images and for adding layers of graphics and special effects to said video images to produce corresponding video images and means for outputting the corresponding video images in digital form as a broadcast feed; and
virtual insertion means, located off-site from said at least camera and said broadcast image processing means, for receiving said broadcast feed and for modifying said broadcast feed by replacing a target portion of the video images of the broadcast feed with a replacement pattern adapted to be inserted into the target portion and monitoring means for monitoring the graphics and special effects added to produce the video images of the broadcast feed and for producing an output indicating that a video image received by said virtual insertion means should not be modified thereby based on the nature of the graphics and special effects that have been added to the received video image.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A television system is provided wherein a target region in successive video images is replaced by a matching pattern adapted to be inserted into the target region, using a virtual insertion unit located downstream of the originating site. The system includes television cameras for, when active, producing a sequence of video images of a scene, and a switcher or multiplexer for switching between camera images. A broadcast image processor located with the multiplexer in an outside broadcast van receives the video images and adds layers of graphics and special effects to the video images to produce a broadcast feed. The virtual insertion unit, which is located off-site from the van, receives the broadcast feed and modifies the video images of the broadcast feed by replacing the target region of these images with a replacement pattern adapted to be inserted into the target region.
69 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A television system wherein a target region in successive video images is replaced by a matching representation pattern adapted to be inserted into said target region, said system comprising:
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at least one television camera for producing a sequence of video images of a scene;
a mobile control room located on-site with said at least one camera and including broadcast image processing means for receiving said video images and for adding layers of graphics and special effects to said video images to produce corresponding video images and means for outputting the corresponding video images in digital form as a broadcast feed; and
virtual insertion means, located off-site from said at least camera and said broadcast image processing means, for receiving said broadcast feed and for modifying said broadcast feed by replacing a target portion of the video images of the broadcast feed with a replacement pattern adapted to be inserted into the target portion and monitoring means for monitoring the graphics and special effects added to produce the video images of the broadcast feed and for producing an output indicating that a video image received by said virtual insertion means should not be modified thereby based on the nature of the graphics and special effects that have been added to the received video image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A television system wherein a target region in successive video images is replaced by a matching representation pattern adapted to be inserted into said target region, said system comprising:
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a plurality of television cameras for, when active, producing a sequence of video images of a scene;
sensor means for each of said cameras for sensing a plurality of operational parameters associated with the corresponding camera and for producing a respective data output;
a mobile control room located on-site with said cameras and including broadcast image processing means for receiving said video images and for adding layers of graphics and special effects to said video images to produce corresponding video images, and means for outputting the corresponding video images in digital form as a broadcast feed;
local control means located on-site with said mobile control room for receiving the data outputs of said sensor means and for outputting a data signal; and
virtual insertion means, located off-site from said cameras and said local control means, for receiving said broadcast feed and said data signal and for modifying said broadcast feed by replacing a target portion of the video images of the broadcast feed with a replacement pattern adapted to be inserted into the target portion, said local control means further comprising logic control means for monitoring the graphics and special effects added to produce the video images of the broadcast feed and for producing an output indicating that a video image of the broadcast feed received by said virtual insertion means should not be modified thereby based on the nature of the graphics and special effects that have been added to the received video image. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A television system wherein a target region in successive video images is replaced by a matching representation pattern adapted to be inserted into said target region, said system comprising:
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a plurality of television cameras for, when active, producing a sequence of video images of a scene;
sensor means for each of said cameras for sensing a plurality of operational parameters associated with the corresponding camera and for producing a respective data output;
a mobile control room located on-site with said cameras and including broadcast image processing means for receiving said video images and for adding layers of graphics and special effects to said video images to produce corresponding video images, and means for outputting the corresponding video images in digital form as a broadcast feed;
local control means located on-site with said mobile control room for receiving the data outputs of said sensor means and for outputting a data signal; and
virtual insertion means, located off-site from said cameras and said local control means, for receiving said broadcast feed and said data signal and for modifying said broadcast feed by replacing a target portion of the video images of the broadcast feed with a replacement pattern adapted to be inserted into the target portion, said mobile control room further including means for generating camera closure signals for indicating which of said plurality of cameras is active and said local control means including logic control means for monitoring said camera closure signals to determine if a camera closure signal has been received for the camera whose video image is currently being received by said virtual insertion means and for sending a corresponding signal to said virtual insertion means, and said logic control means producing an output indicating that the second in time of two cameras is active when closure signals for a first in time camera and the second in time camera are received at the same time.
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Specification