Method and apparatus for applying overlay images
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of interacting with a video image, comprising the steps of:
- generating a first horizontal synchronization pulse train comprising a plurality of first pulses each having a first predetermined width;
generating a second horizontal synchronization pulse train comprising a plurality of second pulses each having a second predetermined width different than said first predetermined width; and
selecting said first and second horizontal pulses for each of a plurality of horizontal scan lines of said video image so as to alter the position of at least one horizontal scan line in said video image.
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Abstract
Apparatus for use with standard television (TV) for superimposing images, captions, titles, or other information over the television scene. Synchronization of the superimposed images with the television scene is brought about by phase locking the images to the horizontal synchronization pulse train of the television scene. A joystick input device allows the television viewer to select from a library of superimposed images and to move the images to any location over the television scene. The viewer can continue to move the superimposed images over the television scene to set up and maintain humorous or other expressive effects. The apparatus can also be used as an educational tool in conjunction with appropriate broadcasted or recorded programming. The horizontal synchronization pulse train of the television scene can be modified by introducing variable time delays from one pulse to the next. This variable synchronization delay can be used to create fun-house mirror effects.
67 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of interacting with a video image, comprising the steps of:
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generating a first horizontal synchronization pulse train comprising a plurality of first pulses each having a first predetermined width; generating a second horizontal synchronization pulse train comprising a plurality of second pulses each having a second predetermined width different than said first predetermined width; and selecting said first and second horizontal pulses for each of a plurality of horizontal scan lines of said video image so as to alter the position of at least one horizontal scan line in said video image.
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2. An apparatus for inserting an overlay image onto a background video image, said apparatus comprising:
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video input means, for receiving a video signal corresponding to said background video image; synchronization means, coupled to said video input means, for generating synchronization signals from said background video signal; viewer input means, comprising selection means for receiving an input command from a viewer to select an overlay image and position input means for receiving a position input from a viewer and generating a position signal to position an image on a display; processor means, coupled to said operator input means, for receiving said input command and generating overlay image data; first memory means, coupled to said processor means, for storing said overlay image data; address generator means, coupled to said memory means, said processor means and said synchronization means for selectively generating memory addresses for said memory means in response to said processor means and in synchronization with said synchronization means; and video output means, coupled to said memory means, for selectively reading the overlay image data from said memory means in synchronization with said synchronization means and merging said overlay image with said background video image.
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3. An apparatus for inserting an overlay image onto a background video image, said apparatus comprising:
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video input means, for receiving a video signal corresponding to said background video image; synchronization means, coupled to said video input means, for generating synchronization signals from said background video signal; operator input means, for receiving an input command from an operator to select an overlay image; processor means, coupled to said operator input means, for receiving said input command and generating overlay image data; first memory means, coupled to said processor means, for storing said overlay image data; address generator means, coupled to said memory means, said processor means and said synchronization means for selectively generating memory addresses for said memory means in response to said processor means and in synchronization with said synchronization means; video output means, coupled to said memory means, for selectively reading the overlay image data from said memory means in synchronization with said synchronization means and merging said overlay image with said background video image; and second memory means, coupled to said processor means, for storing a plurality of overlay image data representing a plurality of overlay images, wherein said operator input means receives an input command from an operator to select an overlay image from said plurality of overlay images and said processor means receives selected overlay image data corresponding to a selected image from said second memory means and stores the selected overlay image data in said first memory means. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for distorting a video image, said apparatus comprising:
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video input means, for receiving a video signal corresponding to said video image; synchronization means, coupled to said video input means, for separating vertical and horizontal synchronization signals from said video signal and generating horizontal and vertical synchronizing pulses; operator input means, for receiving an input command from an operator for selecting a normal or distorted image; video output means, coupled to said operator input means and said synchronization means, for selectively applying, in response to said input command and a predetermined pattern, said horizontal synchronizing signals and said horizontal synchronizing pulses to each horizontal line of said video signal and outputting a distorted video signal for generating a distorted video image.
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10. A method for inserting an overlay image onto a background video image, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a background video signal corresponding to said background video image, generating synchronization signals from said background video signal, receiving an input command from an operator to select an overlay image, generating overlay image data in response to said input command and storing said overlay image data in a first memory, selectively generating memory addresses for the first memory in synchronization with said synchronization signals, selectively reading the overlay image data from the first memory in synchronization with said synchronization signal and merging said overlay image with said background video image, storing a plurality of overlay image data in a second memory representing a plurality of overlay images, and receiving an input command from an operator to select an overlay image from said plurality of overlay images and storing the selected overlay image data in the first memory. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of distorting a video image comprising the steps of:
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receiving a video signal corresponding to said video image, separating vertical and horizontal synchronization signals from said video signal and generating horizontal and vertical synchronizing pulses, receiving an input command from an operator for selecting a normal or distorted image, selectively applying, in response to said input command and a predetermined pattern, said horizontal synchronizing signals and said horizontal synchronizing pulses to each horizontal line of said video signal and outputting a distorted video signal for generating a distorted video image.
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Specification