Computerized interactive menu-driven video signal processing apparatus and method

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A computerized film-to-video signal processor with an interactive menu-driven operator control interface comprising:

processor means for receiving computerized signal processing control data and for coupling to a film scanner and receiving therefrom a video signal which represents a scanned optical film image, and for selectively processing said received video signal in accordance with said received computerized signal processing control data; and

computer means for providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized signal processing control data, for receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command, and for providing said computerized signal processing control data to said processor means in accordance with said received first control signal.

2. A computerized film-to-video signal processor as recited in claim 1, further comprising menu display means for receiving said first operator feedback signal from said computer means and displaying said first pictographic menu display.

3. A computerized film-to-video signal processor as recited in claim 1, further comprising operator input means for selectively providing said first control signal to said computer means.

4. A computerized film-to-video signal processor as recited in claim 1, further comprising image display means for receiving and displaying said selectively processed video signal from said processor means.

5. A computerized film-to-video signal processor as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer means further provides a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized video storage and retrieval instructions, receives a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command, and provides said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with said received second control signal.

6. A computerized film-to-video signal processor as recited in claim 1, wherein said computer means further provides a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to a computerized film scanning instruction, receives a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command, and provides said computerized film scanning instruction for said film scanner in accordance with said received second control signal.

7. A computerized film-to-video signal processor as recited in claim 3, wherein said operator input means comprises a computer mouse.

8. A computerized film-to-video signal processor as recited in claim 5, further comprising video storage and retrieval means for receiving said computerized video storage instruction and in accordance therewith receiving and storing said selectively processed video signal from said processor means, and for receiving said computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored, selectively processed video signal.

9. A computerized film-to-video signal processor as recited in claim 6, further comprising scanner means for receiving said computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image, and further for providing said video signal, wherein said video signal represents said scanned optical film image.

10. A computerized film-to-video signal storage and retrieval device with an interactive menu-driven operator control interface, comprising:

video storage and retrieval means for coupling to a film scanner and receiving therefrom a video signal which represents a scanned optical film image, for receiving a computerized video storage instruction and in accordance therewith storing said video signal, and

for receiving a computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored video signal; and

computer means for providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions, for receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command, and for providing said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions to said video storage and retrieval means in accordance with said received first control signal, wherein said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions selectively represent defined video scenes and frames.

11. A computerized film-to-video signal storage and retrieval device as recited in claim 10, further comprising menu display means for receiving said first operator feedback signal from said computer means and displaying said first pictographic menu display.

12. A computerized film-to-video signal storage and retrieval device as recited in claim 10, further comprising operator input means for selectively providing said first control signal to said computer means.

13. A computerized film-to-video signal storage and retrieval device as recited in claim 10, further comprising image display means for receiving and displaying said retrieved and outputted video signal from said video storage and retrieval means.

14. A computerized film-to-video signal storage and retrieval device as recited in claim 10, wherein said computer means further provides a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to a computerized film scanning instruction, receives a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command, and provides said computerized film scanning instruction for said film scanner in accordance with said received second control signal.

15. A computerized film-to-video signal storage and retrieval device as recited in claim 10, wherein said computer means further provides a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized signal processing control data, receives a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command, and provides said computerized signal processing control data in accordance with said received second control signal.

16. A computerized film-to-video signal storage and retrieval device as recited in claim 12, wherein said operator input means comprises a computer mouse.

17. A computerized film scanner with an interactive menu-driven operator control interface, comprising:

scanner means for receiving a computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image, and for providing a video signal representing said scanned optical film image; and

computer means for providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized film scanning instruction, for receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command, and for providing said computerized film scanning instruction to said scanner means in accordance with said received first control signal, wherein said computerized film scanning instruction selectively represents defined film scenes and frames.

18. A computerized film scanner as recited in claim 17, further comprising menu display means for receiving said first operator feedback signal from said computer means and displaying said first pictographic menu display.

19. A computerized film scanner as recited in claim 17, further comprising operator input means for selectively providing said first control signal to said computer means.

20. A computerized film scanner as recited in claim 17, wherein said computer means further provides a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized signal processing control data, receives a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command, and provides said computerized signal processing control data in accordance with said received second control signal.

21. A computerized film scanner as recited in claim 17, wherein said computer means further provides a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized video storage and retrieval instructions, receives a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command, and provides said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with said received second control signal.

22. A computerized film scanner as recited in claim 19, wherein said operator input means comprises a computer mouse.

23. A computerized film-to-video converter and signal processor with an interactive menu-driven operator control interface, comprising:

scanner means for receiving a computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image, and for providing a video signal representing said scanned optical film image;

processor means for receiving computerized signal processing control data and said video signal, and for selectively processing said received video signal in accordance with said received computerized signal processing control data;

video storage and retrieval means for receiving a computerized video storage instruction and in accordance therewith receiving and storing said selectively processed video signal, and for receiving a computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored, selectively processed video signal; and

computer means for providing a plurality of operator feedback signals selectively representing a plurality of pictographic menu displays depicting a plurality of operator control commands corresponding to said computerized film scanning instruction, said computerized signal processing control data and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions, and for receiving a plurality of control signals corresponding to said plurality of operator control commands, and further for selectively providing said computerized film scanning instruction, said computerized signal processing control data and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions to said scanner means, said processor means, and said video storage and retrieval means, respectively, in accordance with said received plurality of control signals, wherein said computerized film scanning instruction and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions selectively represent defined film and video scenes and frames, respectively.

24. A computerized film-to-video converter and signal processor as recited in claim 23, further comprising menu display means for receiving said plurality of operator feedback signals from said computer means and selectively displaying said plurality of pictographic menu displays.

25. A computerized film-to-video converter and signal processor as recited in claim 23, further comprising operator input means for selectively providing said plurality of control signals to said computer means.

26. A computerized film-to-video converter and signal processor as recited in claim 23, further comprising image display means for selectively receiving and displaying said selectively processed video signal from said processor means and said retrieved and outputted, selectively processed video signal from said video storage and retrieval means.

27. A computerized film-to-video converter and signal processor as recited in claim 25, wherein said operator input means comprises a computer mouse.

28. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method, comprising the steps of:

receiving computerized signal processing control data;

receiving from a film scanner a video signal representing a scanned optical film image;

selectively processing said video signal in accordance with said computerized signal processing control data;

providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized signal processing control data;

receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command; and

providing said computerized signal processing control data in accordance with said first control signal.

29. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method as recited in claim 28, further comprising the steps of receiving said first operator feedback signal and displaying said first pictographic menu display.

30. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method as recited in claim 28, further comprising the step of selectively providing said first control signal via a computer mouse.

31. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method as recited in claim 28, further comprising the steps of receiving and displaying said selectively processed video signal.

32. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method as recited in claim 28, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized video storage and retrieval instructions;

receiving a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command; and

providing said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with said second control signal.

33. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method as recited in claim 28, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to a computerized film scanning instruction;

receiving a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command; and

providing said computerized film scanning instruction for use by a film scanner in accordance with said second control signal.

34. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method as recited in claim 32, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said computerized video storage instruction and in accordance therewith receiving and storing said selectively processed video signal; and

receiving said computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored, selectively processed video signal.

35. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method as recited in claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image; and

providing said video signal, wherein said video signal represents said scanned optical film image.

36. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal storage and retrieval method, comprising the steps of:

receiving a computerized video storage instruction;

receiving from a film scanner a video signal representing a scanned optical film image;

receiving a computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored video signal;

providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions;

receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command; and

providing said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with said first control signal, wherein said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions selectively represent defined video scenes and frames.

37. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal storage and retrieval method as recited in claim 36, further comprising the steps of receiving said first operator feedback signal and displaying said first pictographic menu display.

38. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal storage and retrieval method as recited in claim 36, further comprising the step of selectively providing said first control signal via a computer mouse.

39. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal storage and retrieval method as recited in claim 36, further comprising the steps of receiving and displaying said retrieved and outputted video signal.

40. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal storage and retrieval method as recited in claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to a computerized film scanning instruction;

receiving a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command; and

providing said computerized film scanning instruction for use by a film scanner in accordance with said second control signal.

41. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal storage and retrieval method as recited in claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized signal processing control data;

receiving a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command; and

providing said computerized signal processing control data in accordance with said second control signal.

42. An interactive menu-driven film scanning method, comprising the steps of:

receiving a computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image;

providing a video signal representing said scanned optical film image;

providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized film scanning instruction;

receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command; and

providing said computerized film scanning instruction in accordance with said first control signal, wherein said computerized film scanning instruction selectively represents defined film scenes and frames.

43. An interactive menu-driven film scanning method as recited in claim 42, further comprising the steps of receiving said first operator feedback signal and displaying said first pictographic menu display.

44. An interactive menu-driven film scanning method as recited in claim 42, further comprising the step of selectively providing said first control signal via a computer mouse.

45. An interactive menu-driven film scanning method as recited in claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized signal processing control data;

receiving a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command; and

providing said computerized signal processing control data in accordance with said second control signal.

46. An interactive menu-driven film scanning method as recited in claim 42, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized video storage and retrieval instructions;

receiving a second control signal corresponding to said second operator control command; and

providing said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with said second control signal.

47. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video conversion and signal processing method, comprising the steps of:

receiving a computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image;

providing a video signal representing said scanned optical film image;

receiving computerized signal processing control data and said video signal;

selectively processing said video signal in accordance with said computerized signal processing control data;

receiving a computerized video storage instruction and in accordance therewith receiving and storing said selectively processed video signal;

receiving a computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored, selectively processed video signal;

providing a plurality of operator feedback signals selectively representing a plurality of pictographic menu displays depicting a plurality of operator control commands corresponding to said computerized film scanning instruction, said computerized signal processing control data, and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions;

receiving a plurality of control signals corresponding to said plurality of operator control commands; and

selectively providing said computerized film scanning instruction, said computerized signal processing control data and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with said plurality of control signals, wherein said computerized film scanning instruction and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions selectively represent defined film and video scenes and frames, respectively.

48. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video conversion and signal processing method as recited in claim 47, further comprising the steps of receiving said plurality of operator feedback signals and selectively displaying said plurality of pictographic menu displays.

49. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video conversion and signal processing method as recited in claim 47, further comprising the step of selectively providing said plurality of control signals via a computer mouse.

50. An interactive menu-driven film-to-video conversion and signal processing method as recited in claim 47, further comprising the steps of selectively receiving and displaying said selectively processed video signal and said retrieved and outputted, selectively processed video signal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to processors for video signals, and in particular, to video signal processors in which processing of video signals originating from a film scanner or a video storage device is controlled via a computerized interactive menu-driven operator control interface.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional film scanners and color correction systems, such as telecines, are well known and widely used. A light source is used to illuminate a film frame, thereby producing an optical film image. The optical film image is color filtered to separate the polychromatic optical film image into its constituent monochromatic optical film images. For example, red, green and blue color filters are typically used to separate the polychromatic optical film image into red, green and blue optical film images for independent or individual processing. Each of these red, green and blue optical film images is projected onto a photosensor, i.e. "imager," for conversion into electronic red, green and blue video color signals. These video color signals may then each be processed (e.g. color corrected), recorded onto a recording medium such as a tape or disk, and subsequently recombined to reproduce a polychromatic video image.

In processing the video image signals, scanning the film or reproducing the recorded video image signals, numerous controls and adjustments must be exercised. For example, video image signal processing, such as color processing or manipulation, often requires that specific features or characteristics of the video image signals, such as color saturation or hue, be precisely manipulated on a local or global scale. Further, it is often desirable to scan the film or reproduce prerecorded video image signals repeatedly or at different speeds to make interactive corrections or modifications to produce alternative images.

To do any of the foregoing, it is necessary to somehow control the devices which produce, process or reproduce the film or image signals, i.e. the scanner, processor and video storage device. Such control is generally exercised by directly manipulating hardware oriented controls, such as levers, buttons, dials or joysticks. However, these types of controls are generally electromechanical in nature and not as precise or accurate as would otherwise be desired. Thus, it is difficult to precisely and accurately process, produce or reproduce a specific portion of a film or video image signal. Further, it is difficult to alter or manipulate specific features or characteristics of a video image signal, such as a selected portion of its color space, or to cue the film or video image signal to a specific point.

Some computerized systems have been developed, but are limited in what they can do with respect to controlling the processing of video signals. For example, one system provides a computerized status monitor which provides the operator with textual information regarding status of various film or video parameters. Another system provides software for emulating the controls of a video tape recorder on a display screen. However, neither system provides for complete and direct control over the video signal processing or cuing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A computerized interactive menu-driven video signal processing apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention includes an apparatus for providing, and a method for using, a computerized interactive menu-driven operator control interface to selectively process a video signal. The present invention further includes an apparatus for providing, and a method for using, a computerized interactive menu-driven operator control interface to selectively cue film images or video signals by defining film and video frames and scenes. The present invention thereby allows selected portions of film images or video signals to be precisely and accurately processed, reproduced and cued.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes processor means for receiving a video signal and computerized signal processing control data, and for selectively processing the video signal in accordance with the computerized signal processing control data; and further includes computer means for providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to the computerized signal processing control data, for receiving a first control signal corresponding to the first operator control command, and for providing the computerized signal processing control data to the processor means in accordance with the first control signal.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes computer means for providing a second operator feedback signal representing a second pictographic menu display depicting a second operator control command corresponding to computerized video storage and retrieval instructions, for receiving a second control signal corresponding to the second operator control command, and for providing the computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with the second control signal.

Another alternative embodiment of the present invention includes computer means for providing a third operator feedback signal representing a third pictographic menu display depicting a third operator control command corresponding to a computerized film scanning instruction, for receiving a third control signal corresponding to the third operator control command, and for providing the computerized film scanning instruction in accordance with the third control signal.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a computerized interactive menu-driven video signal processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of the operator interface devices of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate pictographic menu displays used for interactive control of film transfer characteristic curves and film masking matrix coefficients within the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate pictographic menu displays used for the interactive control of system transfer functions and crosstalk coefficients for the non-film portion of the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate pictographic menu displays used for the interactive control of the color space within the video color signals of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates a pictographic menu display used for the interactive management and control of defined frames within defined scenes within the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a pictographic menu display used for interactive control of scene transfers within the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 illustrates a pictographic menu display representing a film map providing a visual representation of defined scenes within the system of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate pictographic menu displays used for the interactive control of the film scanner, the video framestore and video tape recorder, respectively, of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates a pictographic menu display used in the interactive control of displayed video images in the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a pictographic menu display used in the interactive control of diagnostic testing of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 illustrates a pictographic menu display used in the interactive control of the calibration of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the software architecture for the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be embodied or practiced in accordance with the apparatuses and methods disclosed in each of the following commonly assigned, co-pending patent applications, the specifications of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference: "Non-Real-Time Film Scanning System," filed by Capitant et al. on Aug. 7, 1991, under Ser. No. 07/741,329, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,500; "Film Scanning Apparatus and Method," filed by Galt et al. on Mar. 29, 1991 under Ser. No. 07/677,578, now abandoned; "Digital Color Correction System and Method," filed by Capitant et al. on Jun. 5, 1991 under Ser. No. 07/710,704, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,083; and "Film-To-Video Frame Image Conversion Apparatus and Method for Selectively Identifying Video Fields and Frames," filed by Capitant et al. on May 14, 1991 under Ser. No. 07/699,928, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,787.

Referring to FIG. 1, a computerized interactive menu-driven video signal processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes: a film scanner 10; a video signal processor 12; a video framestore 14; a video tape recorder 16; a video switch 18; a computer 20; and an operator interface 22, all connected substantially as shown. Further, the operator interface 22 includes an operator input device 24, a control display 26 and an image display 28.

In accordance with the disclosures of the aforementioned patent applications incorporated herein by reference, the film scanner 10 optically scans a polychromatic optical film image, and separates it into its constituent monochromatic optical film images. These monochromatic optical film images are outputted in the form of an analog high definition ("HD") video signal 30. Further in accordance with the disclosures of the aforementioned patent applications incorporated herein by reference, the video signal processor 12 receives the analog HD video signal 30, digitizes it and processes (e.g. co