Video tap for a digital motion camera that simulates the look of post processing

• US 6,995,793 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2000
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Nestor M., Albadawi, Haithem
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thai
• Assistant Examiner(s): YODER III, CHRISS S
• Application Number:
  US09/712,639
• Time in Patent Office: 1,911 Days
• Field of Search: 348/578, 348/207.99, 348/239
• US Class Current: 348/239
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/253 Picture signal generating by scanning motion picture films or slide opaques, e.g. for telecine scanning details therefor H04N3/36 ; standard conversion therefor H04N7/0112
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects

Abstract

A sequence of motion images, captured by an image capture system such as a digital camera, are converted into a sequence of modified motion images providing the appearance of motion images captured by the same capture system and subsequently rendered in a post-processing stage to simulate a particular look. The method involves capturing a sequence of motion images using a full resolution image sensor system, then recording the full resolution unprocessed image signals, and providing the recorded full resolution unprocessed image signals to the post-production process, where the images will be subsequently rendered in a post-processing stage to simulate a particular look. Meanwhile, one or more image processing algorithms are applied in the image capture system to the unprocessed image signals to simulate the particular look rendered in the post-processing stage, and the simulated image signals are displayed as a sequence of modified images.

Claims

1. A method for converting a sequence of motion images, captured by an image capture system, into a sequence of modified motion images providing the previewed appearance of motion images captured by the same capture system and subsequently rendered in a post-processing stage as a user choice to simulate an available look, said method comprising the steps of:

capturing a sequence of motion images using a full resolution image sensor system, resulting in a captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed image signals corresponding to the motion images;

directing the captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed image signals to a first path for recording;

recording the full resolution unprocessed image signals;

providing the recorded full resolution unprocessed image signals to a post-production process where the images will be subsequently rendered in a post-processing stage to simulate a particular look;

sampling, in real time on a second path, the full resolution unprocessed image to provide a sub-sampled image;

displaying the sub-sampled image as a sequence of modified images for previewing of possible post-production image processing choices; and

,

applying, within the image capture system, one or more image processing algorithms to the unprocessed image signals to simulate one or more available looks that can be rendered in the post-processing stage, while using the sub-sampled image as a real time preview feedback, thereby resulting in a processed sub-sampled image of a post-production processing choice for the captured sequence of motion images.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the motion images are electronically captured by a digital camera.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the motion images are on film and are electronically captured by a film scanner.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further including subsampling the captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed image signals, thereby resulting in subsampled unprocessed image signals;

and applying one or more image processing algorithms to the subsampled unprocessed image signals to simulate the particular look, thereby resulting in processed image signals, and displaying the processed image signals as a sequence of modified images.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of displaying the processed image signals as the sequence of modified images occurs contemporaneously with the step of recording the full resolution unprocessed color signals.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed image signals comprises a captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed color signals.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of applying, within the image capture system, one or more image processing algorithms to the unprocessed image signals includes application of at least one of the following algorithms:

a colorimetry algorithm for matching the color reproduction produced by a particular set of image sensor responses with those of a traditional motion picture film;

a contrast algorithm for matching the tone reproduction produced by a particular set of image sensor responses with those of a traditional motion picture film;

a grain algorithm for adding noise that has the same probability distribution function as the graininess of a particular film stock;

a sharpening algorithm for spatially filtering the captured image to simulate the modulation transfer function of a motion picture film;

a surround algorithm for compensating for the visually perceived image contrast change due to the level of ambient light surrounding an image display;

a framing algorithm for reducing or formatting the image data to conform within a specified image display aspect ratio; and

an image compositing algorithm that can replace the background of a scene with another background.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the particular look imparted by the post-processing stage is due to one or more special effects and the processed image signals are rendered to simulate the special effects look, as would be provided in the post-processing stage.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the processed image signals are rendered to simulate a particular look of a film stock, as would be provided in the post-processing stage.

10. A method for converting a sequence of motion images, captured by an image capture system, into a sequence of modified motion images providing the appearance of motion images captured by the same capture system and subsequently rendered in a post-processing stage to simulate a particular look, said method comprising the steps of:

capturing a sequence of color motion images using a full resolution image sensor system, resulting in a captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed color signals corresponding to the color motion images;

recording the full resolution unprocessed color signals;

providing the recorded full resolution unprocessed color signals to a post-production process where the images will be subsequently rendered in a post-processing stage with a particular look;

subsampling, in real time, the captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed color signals, thereby resulting in real time sub-sampled unprocessed color signals;

applying one or more image processing algorithms to the sub-sampled unprocessed color signals to simulate looks that can be rendered in the post-processing stage, while using the sub-sampled image as a real time preview feedback, thereby resulting in processed color signals that represent chosen post-production processing for recorded full resolution color signals; and

displaying the processed color signals as a sequence of modified images, said displaying occurring contemporaneously with the step of recording the full resolution unprocessed color signals.

11. A video tap apparatus integrated with a digital capture device for converting a sequence of motion images into a sequence of modified motion images that enables previewing an available post-production look, said apparatus comprising:

a full resolution image sensor system for capturing a sequence of color motion images, resulting in a captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed color signals corresponding to the color motion images;

a recorder for recording the full resolution unprocessed color signals;

a camera output for providing the recorded full resolution unprocessed color signals to a post-production process where the images will be subsequently rendered in a post-processing stage to simulate a particular look;

a processor for applying one or more image processing algorithms to the unprocessed color signals, from the videotap apparatus during image capture, to simulate the looks that can be rendered in post-production to the full resolution unprocessed color signals, and providing a sub-sampled image for real time preview of simulated post-production processing, thereby resulting in processed color signals, whereby said simulation of the particular look occurs contemporaneously with the recording of the full resolution unprocessed color signals by said recorder;

a sub-sampling processor for subsampling the captured sequence of full resolution unprocessed color signals, thereby resulting in sub-sampled unprocessed color signals; and

wherein the processor applies one or more image processing algorithms to the subsampled unprocessed image signals to simulate the particular look, thereby resulting in processed image signals that are displayed by the display device; and

a display device for displaying the processed color signals as a sequence of modified images.

12. The video tap apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the digital capture device is a digital camera.

13. The video tap apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the digital capture device is a film scanner.

14. A method for converting a sequence of motion images, captured by an electronic image capture system within a second path, into a sequence of modified motion images providing the appearance of motion images captured by a motion capture system within a first path and subsequently rendered in a post-processing stage to simulate a particular look, said method comprising the steps of:

capturing a sequence of motion images, within a second path, using the electronic image capture system, to produce a captured sequence of digital image signals corresponding to the motion images captured by the motion capture system within a first path;

providing the motion images captured by the motion capture system within the first path to a post-production process where the images will be subsequently rendered to simulate a particular look;

applying, within the electronic image capture system within the second path, one or more image processing algorithms to the digital image signals to simulate the particular look rendered in the post-processing stage that will be applied to the corresponding motion capture system within the first path, thereby resulting in processed image signals within the second path; and

displaying the processed image signals as a sequence of modified images.