Sony Corporation

Hideyuki Shimizu

Akihiro Takashima

Hiroshi Yamauchi

Akira Honjo

Taku Yokoyama

Masaaki Shino

Yoshihiro Yoshioka

Tadayoshi Itani

Mitsuko Honma

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs predetermined conversion processing with keeping the color of an original image and eliminating processing time necessary for color space conversion, when applying special effects on video signals. The image processing apparatus includes a video signal input section for receiving a video signal having a value represented in a first color space, a signal converting section for performing predetermined conversion processing on a signal having a value represented in a second color space that is different from the first color space, and a signal interface section for supplying the signal converting section with the video signal, received by the video signal input section, that has a value represented in the first color space as a substitute for the signal having a value represented in the second color space.

Image processing apparatus, image processing process, and recording medium

An image special effect device includes: a graphic processor and a video processing block; the graphic processor converting coordinates in virtual three-dimensional space into two-dimensional coordinates on a display screen in accordance with a supply of information on the shape of a model in the virtual three-dimensional space, computing texture coordinates of an image that is pasted on the display screen and a reduction rate of the model on the display screen, and outputting information on the texture coordinates and reduction rate from an image data output unit; the video processing block writing input video data YUV into a memory after filtered by using a pre-filter coefficient corresponding to information on the reduction rate supplied from the graphic processor, and reading out the video data from the memory by using the supplied texture coordinates as information of read-address.

Image special effect device, graphic processor and recording medium

An image transformation apparatus is provided, which includes a modeling unitthat calculates the coordinates of vertices of each polygon and calculates a pre-filter coefficient corresponding to a reduction ratio at the position of a vertex of each polygon, with respect to a model to which an image is attached to; a texture address unitthat converts the coordinates of vertices of each polygon calculated in the modeling unitinto the coordinates of each pixel and sets a read address for attaching an image to the model using the coordinates of each pixel; a filter coefficient unitthat converts a pre-filter coefficient calculated in the modeling unitinto a pre-filter coefficient at the position of each pixel; an H-direction pre-filter, an HV scan converterand a V-direction pre-filterthat perform filtering on input image data with a pre-filter coefficient obtained through conversion in the filter coefficient unit; a texture memoryto which image data filtered in the H-direction pre-filter, HV scan converterand V-direction pre-filter, is written; and a texture memory controllerwhich reads out image data from the texture memoryin accordance with a read address set in the texture address unit

Image transformation apparatus, image transformation circuit and image transformation method

A special effect device by which an entirely new special picture effect is to be implemented in accordance with a read address control system. The device includes an address signal generating unitwhich generates a readout address signal for picture signals stored in a frame buffer, so that, by flipping a picture, ruptured with an optional position of a picture, corresponding to the picture signals stored in the frame buffer, as a rupture point, for extending along a curve formed by an arc of a circle of a radius of an optional size, defined on a second virtual plane perpendicular to a first virtual plane to which belongs the picture, and by moving, after the picture corresponding to the rupture point has reached a height of the diameter of the circle on the second virtual plane, the picture corresponding to the rupture point along a plane parallel to the first virtual plane, such a special effect will be obtained in which the picture on the first virtual plane is peeled off sequentially radially along the arc, about the optional position as center, so as to disappear to outside a display area.

Special effect device, address signal generating device, address signal generating method and address signal generating program

A special effect device by which a new special picture effect is to be implemented in accordance with a read address control system. The device includes an address signal generating unit which generates a readout address signal for picture signals stored in a frame buffer so tat the picture signals stored in the frame buffer will be output to each of a plurality of corresponding triangular areas of a preset size fractionated from the picture Signals stored in the frame buffer.

A novel special picture effect is to be achieved by a read address control system. To this ends, a special effect device includes an address signal generating unitfor generating a readout address signal for picture signals stored in a frame bufferso that such a special effect is achieved in which a picture corresponding to the picture signals stored in said frame buffer is rotationally moved about an optional point, provided to the outer rim of a display area at the time of display, as the center of rotation, so as to disappear to outside the display area.

A special effect device by which an entirely new special picture effect is to be implemented in accordance with a read address control system. The device includes an address signal generating unitwhich generates a readout address signal for picture signals stored in a frame bufferso that, by rupturing a picture portion of an area at an optional position of a picture in the frame buffer, defined by a circle having a radius of an optional size, with the center of the circle as a rupturing point, a folded picture portion will be obtained which has the circumference of the circle as a topological boundary.

A character generator and its method are suitably applied to such a video title generator for adding title images to a video program. Specifically, the character generator according to the present invention analyzes the form of characters inputted by an operator through a keyboard, and generates a polygon model matching the inputted characters so that the inputted characters look a three-dimensional image. The generated polygon model is subjected to rendering processing and displayed on a computer display. The polygon model displayed on the display can be changed in real time by using three-dimensional parameter and so on, for a shadow or perspective, which is set by the operator on the GUI screen. Thereby, the three-dimensional character generated by transforming the inputted character into the three-dimensional form can be generated with simple constructions and operations and in real time.

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Kanagawa, Japan

Hideyuki Shimizu