Audio visual display adjustment using captured content characteristics

• US 6,771,323 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2000
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: THX Limited (Razer Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: THX Limited (Razer Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dean, Rick, Schnuelle, Dave
• Primary Examiner(s): HSIA, SHERRIE Y
• Application Number:
  US09/714,599
• Time in Patent Office: 1,357 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N 1.700, H04/N 1.702, H04/N.5222, 348/722, 348/180, 348/181, 348/187, 348/188, 348/189, 348/460, 375/224, 324/612, 324/158.1, 324/76.11, 455/226.1, 455/67.11, 455/67.14, 455/3.06, 702/85, 702/108, 702/117, 725/114, 725/115, 725/116, 725/138, 725/144, 725/145, 725/146
• US Class Current: 348/722
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/00 Diagnosis, testing or measuring for television systems or their details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 17/04 for receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2017/006 for television sound
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4852 for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4854 for modifying image parameters, e.g. image brightness, contrast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/854 Content authoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3182 Colour adjustment, e.g. white balance, shading or gamut white balance per se H04N9/73; control of amplitude of colour signals H04N9/68; colour control circuits for displays in general G09G5/02, G09G3/2003, G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3194 including sensor feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/73 Colour balance circuits, e.g. white balance circuits or colour temperature control camera processing pipelines for colour balance H04N23/88
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

A technique for managing the production, post-production and distribution of audio-visual projects permits accurate management of production values and thereby allow accurate and measurable reproduction and control. Test signal data is used to assist the operator in insuring the levels are set to the intended display characteristics in the event that factors such as creative lighting or applied effects affect the desired look of the scene. The test signal data may encompass elements that determine resolution, White level, Black level, Grey steps, Frequency response and linearity as well as sound parameters. Chroma channels may exhibit similar signals including a bar pattern that can be used to insure the best colorimetry is maintained. Standard signals may also improve compositing and cross media transfers without extraordinary efforts to match production values.

Claims

1. A method of presenting an audio visual work comprising:

capturing audio-visual content;

capturing data representing first characteristics of the content;

combining the content and the captured data as enhanced content;

using the captured data to process the enhanced content to produce final content having second characteristics;

displaying the final content; and

using the captured data to adjust the display of the final content to reproduce the second characteristics.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said capturing data representing first characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing data representing two or more first characteristics of the content.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said capturing data representing first characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing data representing video characteristics of the content; and

capturing data representing audio characteristics of the content.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing video characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing white level data.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing video characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing black level data.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing video characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing grey step data.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing video characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing frequency response data.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing video characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing image linearity data.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing video characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing luminance data.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing video characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing color level data.

11. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing audio characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing sound level data.

12. The method of claim 3 wherein said capturing data representing audio characteristics of the content comprises:

capturing frequency response data.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said using the captured data to correct the display of the final content comprises:

using the captured data to automatically correct the display of the final content.

14. A method of creating and displaying an audio-visual production comprising:

capturing audio-visual content and first content characteristics as enhanced content;

using the captured content to process the enhanced content to produce final content having the first content characteristics;

displaying the final content; and

using the captured content to correct the display of the final content to reproduce the first content characteristics.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said capturing audio-visual content having first content characteristics as enhanced content further comprises:

capturing audio-visual content;

capturing data representing first characteristics of the content; and

combining the content and the captured data as enhanced content.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said using the captured content to correct the display further comprises:

using the captured content to correct the display of the final content to reproduce second content characteristics.

17. Apparatus for creating and displaying an audio visual work comprising:

means for capturing audio-visual content;

means for capturing data representing first characteristics of the content;

means for combining the content and the captured data as enhanced content;

means for using the captured data to process the enhanced content to produce final content having second characteristics;

means for displaying the final content; and

means for using the captured data to correct the display of the final content to reproduce the second characteristics.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for capturing data representing first characteristics of the content comprises:

means for capturing data representing two or more first characteristics of the content.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for capturing data representing first characteristics of the content comprises:

means for capturing data representing video characteristics of the content; and

means for capturing data representing audio characteristics of the content.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said means for capturing data representing audio characteristics of the content comprises:

means for capturing frequency response data.