DE2935328A1 - STILL IMAGE STORAGE SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

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MICRO CONSULTANTS LIMITED £
5 West Mills

Newbury, Berkshire, England

Still image storage system

The invention relates to a still image storage system.

There is a general need in the television industry to store still images that are later used in the broadcast of a television program should be used »Usually the images are in the form of slides of 2 inches in photographic format stored and broadcast using a light spot scanning system.

The main object of the invention is ^ a system electronic Create still image storage. That the photographic Method replaces and a compact, reliable electronic System for storing large numbers of slides represents how these are required by a central archive without impairing the quality of the recovered images will.

It is a further object of the invention ;, a method to specify _a after the withholdeth of the stored images is transmitted over phone lines to a remote location to _s are around there, the sequence used by a smaller memory which is accessible during the broadcast of the program.

Previously known electronic still image memories make use of the photographic one Input as the main material source. An electronic one

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Scanner converts the still photo into a normal television format, which is subsequently converted digitally and stored in digital form on a disk. By accessing the disk to a At a later time, the picture information can be reconstructed and transmitted as part of the television program.

The known system has the disadvantage that the storage is very expensive and that the storage of a large number facilities required by images are very large.

According to the invention, the object on which the invention is based is achieved by a still image storage system which is characterized by a storage device for storing a plurality of

Image information blocks, each block from one and the same still image is derived and represents this, and by an image integration processing means for integrating the information contained in the blocker so that noise-reduced image information are available at an exit of the same.

Furthermore, according to the invention, a method for storing still images in a storage device is specified, which is carried out by the storage of a plurality of blocks of image information is characterized, each block from one and the same still image is derived and represents this, and by integrating the information contained in these blocks when these are from the storage device can be recovered to noise reduction Provide image information.

According to the invention, the main storage system can be a normal analog or digital magnetic tape recorder (VTR)

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as you usually find it in a broadcast studio. It is only necessary that such a recording device can be controlled by digital signals coming from a computer, for example. With many existing magnetic tape recorders this possibility is given, which is necessary for cutting machining. Furthermore, it must be possible be able to recognize every single image position on the tape and access to it Obtain single image under digital control.

Preferably a digital magnetic tape recorder is included zum Einsatζj that has just been released on a trial basis is. This version has all the standard features of analog devices, but the track spacing on the tape is modified, so that digital data with high packing density can be accommodated ^ which are sufficient to display television pictures without significant Record loss of quality »An experimental design with a BCN recorder was recently released by the Independent Broadcasting Authority and it is known that further experimental designs are available.

As stated above, either analog or digital Tape recorders "are used and through use a standard magnetic tape recording machine that does not have a Requires conversion to record television signals., the system can be constructed more simply and cheaply. The known Disadvantages of using tapes, particularly analog tapes, as a recording medium for long-term storage damage that can occur to the tape and the noise

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distance that controls the operation of the analog tape recorder impaired. In the system described below, a noise reduction integration system is used that effectively eliminates these disadvantages.

In the following, the invention is intended, for example, with reference to the drawings are explained in more detail. Show it:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the storage system according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows an alternative arrangement in which a moving image can be captured as a still image in the system for subsequent storage,

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement for realizing the system from FIG. 1 with additional facilities,

Figure 4 shows a part of the overall system of Figure 3, the main memory is remote,

FIG. 5 shows the image integration process in a preferred embodiment in detail and

Figure 6 shows an alternative integration design.

In the system shown in FIG. 1, each still image 10 (e.g. a slide A) over the television camera 11 several times (in the example four times, but this number is usually higher) recorded on the magnetic image tape recorder 12. The repeated Image information is available when required for output from the device 12, and the sequence for a specific one Image is received by the image integration processor 13 which effectively integrates the information from each of the images in the order

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grated to provide an enhanced image in which noise, which is due to the not entirely flawless tape storage medium, due to its essentially statistical character this noise is essentially eliminated. A single image A is thus available again at the output of the processor 13. The next image B would be recorded repeatedly in the same way and would be available for processing so that a complete Image archive would be built on the tape. A normal tape would be used from an hour to several thousand . Save still images, each of which is repeated several times is. Each image would have an index number and would be accessible through a recognition addressing facility. Tape machineη are Provided as standard equipment with a connection for computer control so that cutting can be carried out; as well it is part of the standard equipment on these machines that the single rope images can be numbered in sequence »

The image processor 13, which is described in detail below can be realized in that a solid-state memory · and a noise reduction device, which an image integration allowed j to be provided. The integrated image information can be taken directly from the output of the processor 13., but would usually be temporarily stored on disk 20 to provide immediate access for some of the images on the tape to allow the producer to broadcast the recovered images in live (or for caching before tape recording again). The quality of the memory storage is so good that none

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subsequent noise reduction is required. The tape on device 12 can also be used as a master tape for copying on device 21. Any noise is eliminated when the tape is played back via the device 12 and the sequentially stored image information is integrated in the processor 13.

It has been described above that the system reduces tape noise; however, other sources of noise (e.g. camera noise) would also be attenuated.

In the modified system of FIG. 2, a single image memory 15 is provided between the camera 11 and the recording device 12 so that a single image can be captured from a moving image. This still image is then recorded repeatedly as before.

The system of Figure 1 is shown in more detail in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 3, in which there is also the possibility of transmitting the image information over a telephone wire; a modulator / demodulator 29 and a long data access time from the solid-state memory in the processor 13 are used here.

As stated earlier, each still image becomes 10 recorded many times on the tape via the camera 11, common is a repetition in the range of 8 to 16 identical frames which are successively recorded by the device 12 from the still image and the position in which they are recorded is indicated, for example, by the frame number on the tape

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marked, which can be referred to as the tape address. With normal electronic cutting systems, this puncture is provided, and only the electronic controls need be provided to command the operation to take place on the required place takes place. It can be one of the standard photo tape recorders generated time code can be used to identify the frame for later retrieval. This code accompanies the video data.

The tape machine 12 records the complete archive of still images as required and indicates the position on the tape to which each image is assigned. Each standard tape of one The hour takes about ten thousand separate still photos are repeated eight times each. An archive index is provided at the beginning of the tape roll, which contains the tape address of a required photograph makes recognizable. In operation, reference is made to the index loaded into the computer memory 15,,,, and it is then accessed by referencing the computer memory. Pairing with a computer is a standard feature of such recording devices.

The standard tape machine 12 becomes the main archive register. Access to an image on the tape is as quick as the tape machine can reach the correct point and go into a return mode. This can usually be one to take two minutes, and it is unlikely that the process will be fast enough to allow a recovery to occur during the broadcast allow.

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The data is retrieved by the processing system 13j which accepts the input from the tape machine and a Frame memory 18 into which the tape replay data can be transferred (shown as via the time base corrector 14 and the decoder 16 in progress to decode the Y, I, Q signals). A suitable frame memory can be made up of MOS devices according to our UK patent application 6585/76 (U.S. Patent Application 764,148). The capacity of the Exnzelbxldspexcher will be sufficient to store only a complete television picture grid with the information have been implemented in digital form as required. However, there is sufficient data storage at each pixel location be present to the multiple inputs of the consecutive identical records that are stored on the tape are to be added together. If, therefore, eight identical records are present and each image is digitally converted to an accuracy of eight bits, the capacity is used each pixel in the frame memory in this particular image integration design should be eleven bits as it is in detail is explained below with reference to FIG.

To prepare the image so that it can be broadcast or is suitable for checking, the content of the frame memory effectively divided by the number of repeated images, i.e. in this case one eighth of the total content of each memory location used. The data generated in this way can then be recorded on a disk 20 in normal digital format that has sufficient capacity to run perhaps 10 -

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Store 100 slides in a standard computer compatible format (usually a main code followed by the datan and a parity code). The access time to the digital disk is in the range of milliseconds and can be used to transfer data which are transferred to a frame store so that pictures are rebuilt so quickly in the picture store as required by the program sequence for the broadcast. For example, it can be possible to add 1 to 5 new images generated per second using standard computer data disk facilities.

Although the image memory 18 stores the video data at normal television speed at the system exit, the reading into the disk 20 must be slower due to the limited Plate performance. This can be achieved simply by using the independently working selection and the write-in clock generator switches to the corresponding frequency.

Although the frame memory which contains the data for visual display is shown ₃ as having the same memory for integration, this can alternatively be a second image memory, depending on the choice of the designer. Data from the image memory is then converted back to an analog format using a digital-to-analog converter 22 using normal methods so that the information is suitable for direct input to a television system via the encoder 23.

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Although the system of FIG. 3 is shown receiving a still image through the camera 11, it is as in FIG shown, it is possible to receive a captured moving image using the image memory so that the magnetic image tape recorder 12 effectively receives information about a still image. For this step you can use the image memory 18, instead of necessarily providing a separate image memory. Thus, the system can be used in several Operating modes work, namely:

1. Record still images through the camera 11 on the magnetic tape recorder as repeated recording for the purpose of creating the still image archive. The recovery takes place through Read out from the recording device 12 via the time base corrector 14 and the decoder 16 to the field or frame memory 18, in which the integration process with several individual images, which are equal to each other takes place. Disk storage can be used for random and quick access Allow use during broadcast.

2. Images captured on disk 20 can be passed through processor DAU 22 and encoder 23 to convert video information for re-storage on a tape recorder to create an archive storage of this information can be done by repeated repeated storage, whereby, as explained above, the integration when the same is recovered takes place.

3. Moving pictures pass through decoder 16 to frame memory 18, who does a stop trick, so that a still image (without integration) for the purpose of storage, for example on

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the plate 20 can be created. The recorded on the plate 20 Image can be repeatedly saved on the tape recorder as explained in mode 2.

The system described above operates under control of a computer 15 (e.g. a standard DEC LSIII mini computer with assigned plate). The computer enables sequential access to the desired individual images, which from be retrieved from the archive storage, as well as the format of the slowed down data to be recorded on the conventional computer disk in the order in which it was accessed subsequently allows as required for broadcast purposes is. An optical control display unit and keyboard 25 can be used to provide input for specifying To create picture numbers etc. for the computer. The noise reduction arrangement 28 improves the image quality through the "use of integrated image information. The combination with and the various elements in the system are accessed by normal techniques such as those described in U.S. Pat. Patent no. 4,148,070.

It is also possible to view the contents of either the archive store or the digital data disk via a standard remote computer link (e.g. modem 29) to a second remote system, which has a similar computer, a data disk and comprises an image memory. An example of such a system is shown in FIG. The data \ is downloaded from the main station received via a data line connected to one of the normal

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Telecommunication frequencies works. In practice this can be 9600 baud be. By means of a computer 41, which receives the data via modem 40, the data from the remote station is put together in a form so that they can be stored on the remote data disk 42 and subsequently used in a broadcast, namely by accessing the remote data disk to the remote picture memory 43 and from there through the DAU 45 and the encoder 46. It is a remote control visual display unit and keyboard 44 for processor 41 is shown.

A number of such subsidiary unit systems, as shown in FIG. 4, can be set up remotely from the main device and provided with access to the main archive.

Thus, the invention is concerned with a system that has a plurality of identical recordings on tape, which are then fed into a noise reduction system, whereby an integration the image information takes place. With such a system, the use of the relatively cheap tape medium is now possible possible to create a quality that can be achieved with normal tape recording methods is not reachable.

As already mentioned in connection with FIG. 3, the 8-bit image data from identical individual images is used for image integration are used, a frame memory with a capacity of 11 bits is required, which is described below with reference to FIG shall be. In this type of image integration arrangement, the video data (from decoder 16 of Figure 3) comes in 8-bit form and run via the adder 50 to the frame memory 51

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Assuming that the same image has been recorded eight times, Each pixel is effectively saved frame by frame until the eight frames are saved «by each The current content will be saved in memory 51 is added to the incoming data in adder 50. So if one assumes that a certain incoming pixel has a vertex level for white has 100, after 8 frames the level stored in the image memory 51 will have increased to 800 (i.e. a gain of 8). Because of this, there are 11 memory bits used to enable this gain increase. To create the gain one from the system, gets the memory output to multiplier 52, which is controlled, to multiply the data by a coefficient of 1/8 when processing 8 frames of each image «

While this type of noise reduction system is preferred, it would be possible to use other noise reduction systems. However, as shown in FIG. G , the quality of the final image would not be so good because the suppression process takes place one frame at a time and not all frames together during the readout. In this system, only 8 image memory bits are required in the memory 51. This can be seen because the multiplier 52 is provided between the adder 50 and the memory 51. If the coefficient chosen for the multiplier is 1/2, the memory will only receive half the sum of the incoming and stored data. In the case of a pixel with a vertex level for white 100, the stored value is at the end of a stored individual image

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50, for the next single image 75, for the next but one 87.5, etc. until it is close to 100 after 8 single images. While for this arrangement a memory with a smaller storage capacity is required, but the noise suppression is also lower.

The digital adder 50 and the multiplier 52 can be used in a known manner Be carried out, for example, in U.S. Patent application 841 519 described.

The noise suppression arrangements of FIG and 6 can be provided in duplicate to both the luminance and d.To be able to handle the chrominance components of the video data in the event that the data is decrypted prior to processing.

In a system in which the arrangement of Figure 5 is used, in which it was desired to vary the number of individual images from each image to be stored, for example to increase the packing density on the tape or the level of noise suppression. To change, the selectable coefficient could expediently be stored in a read-only memory (ROM) stored with the multiplier (as described for example in the above-mentioned patent application) is used.

By using a digital magnetic tape recorder instead of an analog device, the need for noise reduction is not eliminated since errors are assumed to occur image interference from a number of sources, including tape defects, on the digital device.

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Claims (23)

Claims / 1} Still image storage system, characterized by a memory device (12) for storing a plurality of image information blocks, each block being derived from and representing one and the same still image, and by an image integration processing device (13) for integrating the information contained in the blocks, so that noise-reduced image information is available at an output of the same. 2. System according to claim I _9, characterized in that the processing device has an integrating frame memory (18) for storing information from each of the blocks and a noise suppression device (28) for integrating the information held in the image memory in order to produce an enhanced image. 3. Plant according to claim 2 _S characterized in that the Rauschuntei * · drückungseinrichtung an adder (50) for adding the incoming image information on the stored image information, and a multiplier (52) for multiplying the stored information with a selected coefficient. k. System according to claim 2 or 3 »characterized in that an intermediate memory (20) is provided for storing the integrated image information from at least one still image in order to enable rapid image display. 5 · Plant according to claim 4, characterized in that the intermediate storage comprises a video storage disk. - 030014/0640 6. Plant according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the storage means comprises a magnetic image tape recorder and that a time base corrector (1 * 0 for correcting Errors in the information originating from the same is intended. 7 · Plant according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by a holding means (15) for capturing information of a moving picture to allow repetitive storage of still picture information, which are held in the holding device to enable. 8. Plant according to claim 7, characterized in that the holding device comprises a solid-state frame store. 9. Installation according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a decoder (16) for separating the incoming image information into Luminance and chrominance components before storage in the holding device and an encoder (23) for reassembling the luminance and chrominance information into a blanking sync signal are provided in front of the system exit. 10. Plant according to claim 9 _}, characterized in that the output from said holding device takes place in digital form and that a digital-to-analog converter (22) is provided for converting the image information into analog form before it is received by the encoder. 11. Plant according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that that transmission means (29) are provided in order to be able to direct the processed information to a remote location. 0300U / 0640 12. Plant according to claim 11, characterized in that the transmission means have a modulator / demodulator. 13 · Plant according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that that a control device is provided for controlling the storage and processing of the image information. 14. Plant according to claim 13, characterized in that the control device a computer (15) and a device (25) which has access to the computer for selecting a desired system function procured. 15 · System according to claim 11 to 14, characterized in that Pern receiving means (40) sum receiving the information and remote storage means (42) for keeping the received information are provided. 16. Installation according to claim 15, characterized in that the remote storage means a pest body storage (43) unci. a video storage disk (42) include. 17. Plant according to claim 15 or 16 _3, characterized in that the remote receiving means have a modulator / demodulator. 18. A method for storing still images on a storage medium, which includes storing a plurality of image information blocks, each block \ ^r on one and the same still picture is derived and is this, as well as integrating the information contained in these blocks, if this from the Storage medium can be recovered in order to provide noise-reduced image information. 030014/0640 -U- 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the integrating step adding the incoming and stored image information from each of the blocks and multiplying of the added information with a selected coefficient after storage. 20. The method according to claim 18 or 19 »characterized in that any time errors in the information retrieved from the storage medium are corrected. 21. The method according to claim 18, 19 or 20, characterized in that that the noise-reduced image information from selected still images is temporarily stored on a separate storage medium to allow quick access to them. 22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that that information of a moving picture is captured to store the order of the same still picture to enable. 23. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that that the integrated image information is transmitted to a remote location that the transmitted information is received and that the information received is stored for later publication. 0300U / 0640