Sony Corporation

James B Pearman

David J Hedley

Apparatus for manipulating a picture (P1) represented by a video signal (V1) includes a picture manipulator (16R, 16G, 16B, 18R, 18G, 18B) responsive to data representing a desired manipulation to manipulate the picture by changing at least one geometrical parameter thereof. The picture manipulator is controlled by a computer (40) that comprises a keyboard 48 and track ball assembly (50) for entering command information indicative of how the picture is to be manipulated. The computer (40) incorporates processing software that enables the computer to act as processor means responsive to the command information to generate the data representing a desired manipulation. The computer (40) has a VDU (42) and incorporates display software responsive to the command information to cause the VDU to display a frame which is subjected to the same manipulation as that desired for the picture. The computer (40) is selectively connectable to the picture manipulator such that the computer can be used on-line to generate the data and supply it to the manipulator, to control the manipulator, or can be used off-line to generate the data.

Apparatus for manipulating a picture represented by a video signal

Apparatus for controlling the combining of video signals includes a field rate microprocessor (10) that generaes edge data defining the edges of a polygonal first picture (KP) which is to be keyed into a second picture (B) to produce a composite picture. Two line rate microprocessors (16, 18) generate from the edge data, for each horizontal scanning line of the composite picture in which a row of pixels corresponding to that scanning line is intersected by edges of the first picture, signals representing: the horizontal locations of first and second start pixels, namely those of the row of pixels in which first and second edges (e.g. Eb, E2), respectively, of the first picture (KP) start to intersect the row; the gradients of the first and second edges; and a key value (the proportion of the first picture to be contained in a pixel of the composite picture) for each of the first and second start pixels. A key value generator (32) generates, for each scanning line of the composite picture, a key value for each successive one of the row of pixels corresponding thereto, by: ramping up the key value from zero, for pixels preceding the first start pixel, by incrementing the key value for the first start pixel, for pixels following the first start pixel, by an amount per pixel determined by the gradient of the first edge (e.g. E1), until the key vaue reaches unity; and ramping down the key value from unity, by decrementing the key value for the second start pixel, for pixels following the second start pixel, by an amount per pixel determined by the gradient of the second edge (e.g. E2), until the key value reaches zero.

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Basingstoke, United Kingdom

James B Pearman