Quantel Limited

Micro Consultants, Limited

Ian C Walker

Anthony D Searby

Paul R Kellar

Richard J Taylor

A video image creation system provides intensity or color data from one or more stores. The image is created under manual control which effectively defines the coordinates of the artists implement at any given time. A processor receives the incoming image data and previously derived data from a frame store and modifies this data in dependance on a parameter available from another store. The created image can be viewed on a monitor. The parameter controls the contribution made from any adjacent, previously created, parts of the image and can be such as to simulate different pencil or brush shapes or types of paint for example. Additional facilities such as pressure sensitivity and blurring can be provided.

Video image creation

Video image creation in which a raster-scan monitor displays an image comprising realistic, inherently non-aliased strokes created by combining proportions of the values of: (i) pixels defining a simulated brush moving along the image as an artist moves a pen on a tablet in continuous strokes; and (ii) the values of the pixels in the image that are under the brush at the time. The pixel values resulting from such combining replace the corresponding pixel values in the image so that, after an initial portion of a stroke, the pixel values in the image which are under the brush and therefore will be combined with the brush values comprise pixel values which are the cumulative result of a number of previous such combining operations. Manual pressure on the pen controls the proportions used in such combining operations. As the artist presses harder on the pen, the effect seen on the monitor is that more 'paint' is applied. Image creation takes place substantially in real time, to retain the feel of conventional drawing or painting while providing the benefits of the electronic medium. The brush position on the image can be defined to sub-pixel resolution to improve the process. In an air brush mode, dwell time rather than movement of the pen initiates new pixel value combining operations.

Video image creation system which proportionally mixes previously

A video image creation system provides intensity or color data from one or more stores. The image is created under manual control which effectively defines the coordinates of the artists implement at any given time. A processor receives the incoming image data and previously derived data from a frame store and modifies this data in dependence on a parameter available from another store. The created image can be viewed on a monitor. The parameter controls the contribution made from any adjacent, previously created, parts of the image and can be such as to simulate different pencil or brush shapes or types of paint for example. Additional facilities such as pressure sensitivity and blurring can be provided.

Video image creation system which simulates drafting tool

A repeated information detection system stores incoming information in a RAM store which may have been converted from analog form via a conditioning amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter. On read out, selected information is assigned brightness levels by means of a look-up table, before conversion into analog form in an digital-to-analog converter and then to a display via an amplifier in which synchronizing signals are added. The information read out is varied by controlling the read addressing, the operator being able to select the number of selected points per line and the offset for example, to allow repeated data patterns to be manipulated and detected using visual correlation.

Repeated information detection

The disclosed system and method allow an artist to blend a desired color from available source (i.e., menu) colors and use the resulting blend color at the desired part of the picture and/or store the blend color for future use as a source color. A palette mixing area and a menu of colors can be displayed on a video screen. A signal defining a selected source color is generated when the artist touches with a stylus an area on a touch tablet which corresponds to the screen display of the selected color. When the stylus then touches the part of the touch tablet corresponding to a selected part of the palette mixing area on the screen, the screen shows at that selected area a blend of any color preexisting there and the selected color. A signal defining the blend color can be stored for future use as a source color. The proportions of the two colors in a blend can be controlled by stylus pressure, number of overstrokes and/or stylus dwell time.

Computerized graphics system and method using an electronically

A video image creation system provides intensity or color data from one or more stores. The image is created under manual control which effectively defines the coordinates of the artist's implement at any given time. A processor receives the incoming image data and previously derived data from a frame store and modifies this data in dependence on a parameter available from another store. The created image can be viewed on a monitor. The parameter controls the contribution made from any adjacent, previously created, parts of the image and can be such as to simulate different pencil or brush shapes or types of paint for example. Additional facilities such as pressure sensitivity and blurring can be provided.

Apparatus for inserting synchronizing data between blocks of serial data and for subsequently retrieving said blocks of data in the correct sequence and at the right point in time. The apparatus for inserting the synchronizing data synchronizing data generating means for producing a predetermined data sequence. Selector means are connected to the data generator and also to an input receiving the serial data for selecting either the serial data or the synchronizing data. Control means are connected to an output of the selector means for producing an identification gap in the serial data before the start of the synchronizing data. The signal produced at an output of the control means comprises a data gap followed by the synchronizing data and the serial data. The apparatus for retrieving the blocks of serial data from these signals comprises synchronizing data detection means for detecting the predetermined data sequence including the identification gap. Extractor means are provided to separate the data blocks from the synchronizing data. Control means are also provided for controlling the extractor means to inhibit extraction of the data if the synchronizing data detected is of an incorrect sequence.

Digital storage systems

The apparatus is provided for inserting synchronizing data between blocks of serial data. A synchronizing data generating means produces a predetermined data sequence. Selector means are connected to said data generator and an input receives the serial data and is selected by said means or alternatively the means selects the synchronizing data. Control means are connected to an output of the selector means for producing an identification gap in the serial data before the start of the synchronizing data. The signal produced at an output of the control means comprises a data gap followed by the synchronizing data and the serial data.

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Newbury, United Kingdom

Ian C Walker