A system and method for real time occlusion processing for seamlessly and realistically blending an inserted image (308) such as an advertisement into a region of a live broadcast image (300) without obscuring the action of the live image. The average color and intensity of a synthetic reference image containing at least some of the region to be replaced is compared to the average color and intensity of the current live broadcast image to determine the difference between the two images (835). The resulting difference image obtained from processing the current image and the synthetic reference image determines areas of the intended insertion region within the current image which are obscured by live action. The processor (840, 845) then generates an occlusion mask (855, 860) based on the difference image and only those pixels that are unoccluded within the intended insertion region are allowed to be inserted into the live broadcast.

System and method of real time insertions into video using adaptive occlusion with a synthetic reference image

A computer generated image simulator is disclosed for scanning a visual target and then providing a visual image of the target which is to be displayed upon a reflective display screen such that a trainee pilot may observe the target. A head tracker which monitors the position of the trainee pilot's head, and an eye tracker which monitors the position of the trainee pilot's eyes, respectively provide head and eye orientation signals to be processed by electronic circuitry such that the target which is projected upon the reflective display screen by a helmet mounted projector will be orientated upon the screen in accordance with the orientation of the trainee pilot's head.

Computer generated image simulator

Methods and apparatus for determining dynamically a blending ratio for blending features in a computer image generated scene are disclosed. The invention is for use with a computer image generation system which provides a dynamic scene as viewed by the pilot of an aircraft simulator. Such a computer image generator system includes a main data base (62) which contains information representing features of the scene to be presented, a display means (76) and a main computational unit (74) for generating the dynamic visual scene. Apparatus of the present invention includes a control data base (78) which contains selected information related to selected features contained within main data base (62). The selected information contained in control data base (78) includes the spatial coordinates of a control point of the selected feature, and the range at which the feature should be included. Also included in computational unit (74) is a means for determining the location of the central point on a theoretical image plane (61). Means such as CRT (92) which has a pie shaped cut out (98) works in conjunction with a light detector (100) and A/D convertor (106) to determine a proper blending ratio signal. This blending ratio signal is then provided to computational unit (74) to provide the blending of a new feature into the dynamic visual scene. Alternately, a read only memory (ROM) (108) could be used to replace CRT (92), photo detector (100) and A/D convertor (106).

Methods and apparatus for blending computer image generated features

A colored display system for displaying a plurality of colored solid surfaces each of which is obtained by coloring or painting in a region, comprising circuit means for generating figure information signals representative of the respective solid surfaces, a priority circuit for selecting one of the figure information signals in response to a predetermined priority order when the figure information signals are simultaneously generated, a memory circuit for storing color information, circuit means for reading out the color information corresponding to the selected figure information signal from the memory circuit and a color cathode ray tube for displaying the colored solid surfaces in response to the color information read out.

Colored display system for displaying colored planar figures

A keyed, true-transparency combine and keyer receive a plurality of image information signals Vi, each having a corresponding input key signal Bki, over a respective channel. The image signals are dynamically ranked in a prioritized order, even on a field-by-field basis. However, rather than switch the individual image signals as the prioritized order changes, the order of the channels is dynamically and switchably interchanged within a keyer by switchably interchanging a plurality of substantially identical keyer units while generating a plurality of processed true transparency image key signals Pki. While there may be some structural distinctions among the keyer units, there is commonalty of function among the keyer units within the keyer. The keyer also generates processed background key signals PkB. The keyer units are switchably changed to produce true transparency processed key signals such that processed key signal Pki for an i-th channel is produced by the i-th respective one of the substantially identical keyer units. The i-th keyer unit can modify the value of its input key signal Bki with the values of the input key signals Bkj in the higher priority channels to generate a true transparency processed key signal Pki for the i-th priority channel so that: ##EQU1## where Bk0 =0 and Pk1 +Pk2 + . . . +PkN +PkB =1.0. The combiner also cuts each respective image signal Vi and background signal VB by its respective processed key signal and combines the plurality of cut signals to generate the special video effect of an image information combine VC so that: VC =Pk1 V1 +Pk2 V2 + . . . +PkN VN +PkB VB.

Keyed, true-transparency image information combine

An image generated by a television camera is combined with an image generated from digitally stored information to form a composite scene wherein objects appearing in either image properly occlude one another with respect to the eyepoint from which the scene is viewed. This is accomplished by processing the camera video signal to provide pulses for each raster line which indicate the starting and stopping points of an object viewed by the camera. At the same time, the camera video signal is provided on a delay line to a video switch which also receives the digitally generated video signal. The switch is controlled by logic circuitry in accordance with the established occlusion priority to pass to the video display device the proper signal from either the camera or the image generator.

Bennett William Stanislaus

Papers

Method and apparatus for combining video images with proper occlusion