Method and apparatus for processing digital video camera signals

Claim 3

The system of claim 1, wherein the camera means comprises: (a)(1) charged-coupled device (CCD) means for capturing the plurality of video signals in response to the image; and (a)(2) analog-to-digital means for converting the plurality of video signals to the plurality of raw digital signals.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1, wherein the bus means is a high-speed serial bus.

Claim 5

The system of claim 1, wherein the bus means is a parallel bus.

Claim 6

The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of raw digital signals are in {Y, Cr, -Cb} format.

Claim 7

The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of usable digital video signals are in YUV format.

Claim 8

The system of claim 6, wherein the plurality of raw digital signals are in {Y, Cr, -Cb} format.

Claim 9

The system of claim 7, wherein the computer means comprises look-up table means for converting the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals, wherein {Y, Cr, -Cb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals provide an index to the look-up table means and the look-up table means provides, in response thereto, YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 10

The system of claim 8, wherein the look-up table means performs the equivalent of the following functions: (1) convening the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals; (2) color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals; (3) gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals; and (4) mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 11

The system of claim 8, wherein the look-up table means performs the equivalent of the following functions: (1) converting the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU8## (2) color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU9## wherein α and β are detemmined such that white objects have equal red, green, and blue outputs; (3) gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals to match desired computer monitor gammas, for each of R, G, B color channels, in accordance with the transform equation I'=I.sup.γ=0.4, wherein: I is an input R, G, or B color value; I' is an output color value; I'.sub.(I=0) =0; and I'.sub.(I=255) =255; and (4) mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU10##

Claim 12

The system of claim 7, wherein the computer means comprises processor means for converting the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 13

The system of claim 11, wherein the processor means comprises: (1) means for convening the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals: (2) means for color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals; (3) means for gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals; and (4) means for mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 14

The system of claim 11, wherein the processor means comprises: (1) means for converting the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU11## (2) means for color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU12## wherein α and β are determined such that white objects have equal red, green, and blue outputs; (3) means for gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals to match desired computer monitor gammas, for each of R, G, B color channels, in accordance with the transform equation I'=I.sup.γ=0.4, wherein: I is an input R, G, or B color value; I' is an output color value; I'.sub.(I=0) =; and I'.sub.(I=255) =255; and (4) means for mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU13##

Claim 15

The system of claim 1, wherein the computer means comprises look-up table means for converting the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 16

The system of claim 1, wherein the computer means comprises processor means for converting the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 19

The method of claim 16, wherein the camera means comprises: (a)(1) charged-coupled device (CCD) means for capturing the plurality of video signals in response to the image; and (a)(2) analog-to-digital means for converting the plurality of video signals to the plurality of raw digital signals.

Claim 20

The method of claim 16, wherein the bus means is a high-speed serial bus.

Claim 21

The method of claim 16, wherein the bus means is a parallel bus.

Claim 22

The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of raw digital signals are in {Y, Cr, -Cb} format.

Claim 23

The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of usable digital video signals are in YUV format.

Claim 24

The method of claim 21, wherein the plurality of raw digital signals are in {Y, Cr, -Cb} format.

Claim 25

The method of claim 22, wherein the computer means comprises look-up table means for converting the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals, wherein {Y, Cr, -Cb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals provide an index to the look-up table means and the look-up table means provides, in response thereto, YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 26

The method of claim 23, wherein the look-up table means performs an equivalent net result of the following steps: (1) converting the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals; (2) color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals; (3) gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals; and (4) mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 27

The method of claim 23, wherein the look-up table means performs the equivalent of the follwings steps: (1) convening the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU14## (2) color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU15## wherein α and β are determined such that white objects have equal red, green, and blue outputs; (3) gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals to match desired computer monitor gammas, for each of R, G, B color channels, in accordance with the transform equation I'=I.sup.γ=0.4, wherein: I is an input R, G, or B color value; I'is an output color value; I'.sub.(I=0) =0; and I'.sub.(I=255) =255; and (4) mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU16##

Claim 28

The method of claim 22, wherein the computer means comprises processor means for converting the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 29

The method of claim 26, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of: (1) converting the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals; (2) color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals; (3) gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals; and (4) mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 30

The method of claim 26, wherein step (b) comprises the steps of: (1) converting the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU17## (2) color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU18## wherein α and β are determined such that white objects have equal red, green, and blue outputs; (3) gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals to match desired computer monitor gammas, for each of R, G, B color channels, in accordance with the transform equation I'=I.sup.γ=0.4, wherein: I is an input R, G, or B color value; I' is an output color value; I'.sub.(I=0) =0; and I'.sub.(I=255) =255; and (4) mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU19##

Claim 31

The method of claim 16, wherein the computer means comprises look-up table means for convening the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 32

The method of claim 16, wherein the computer means comprises processor means for converting the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 35

The system of claim 31, wherein the camera comprises: (a)(1) charged-coupled device (CCD); and (a)(2) an analog-to-digital converter; wherein: the CCD captures the plurality of video signals in response to the image; and the analog-to-digital converter converts the plurality of video signals to the plurality of raw digital signals.

Claim 36

The system of claim 31, wherein the bus is a high-speed serial bus.

Claim 37

The system of claim 31, wherein the bus is a parallel bus.

Claim 38

The system of claim 31, wherein the plurality of raw digital signals are in {Y, Cr, -Cb} format.

Claim 39

The system of claim 31, wherein the plurality of usable digital video signals are in YUV format.

Claim 40

The system of claim 36, wherein the plurality of raw digital signals are in {Y, Cr, -Cb} format.

Claim 41

The system of claim 37, wherein the computer comprises a look-up table that converts the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals, wherein {Y, Cr, -Cb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals provide an index to the look-up table and the look-up table provides, in response thereto, YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 42

The system of claim 38, wherein the look-up table performs the equivalent of the following functions: (1) converting the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals; (2) color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals; (3) gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals; and (4) mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 43

The system of claim 38, wherein the look-up table performs the equivalent of the following functions: (1) converting the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU20## (2) color balancing the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU21## wherein α and β are determined such that white objects have equal red, green, and blue outputs; (3) gamma correcting the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals to match desired computer monitor gammas, for each of R, G, B color channels, in accordance with the transform equation I'=I.sup.γ=0.4, wherein: I is an input R, G, or B color value; I' is an output color value; I'.sub.(I=0) =0; and I'.sub.(I=255) =255; and (4) mapping the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU22##

Claim 44

The system of claim 37, wherein the computer comprises a processor that converts the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 45

The system of claim 41, wherein the processor: (1) converts the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals; (2) color balances the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals; (3) gamma corrects the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals; and (4) maps the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 46

The system of claim 41, wherein the processor: (1) converts the {YCrCb} input bytes of the plurality of raw digital signals to a linear RGB color space representation to provide linear RGB signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU23## (2) color balances the linear RGB signals to provide color-balanced RGB signals in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU24## wherein α and β are determined such that white objects have equal red, green, and blue outputs; (3) gamma corrects the color-balanced RGB signals to provide gamma-corrected RGB signals to match desired computer monitor gammas, for each of R, G, B color channels, in accordance with the transform equation I'=I.sup.γ=0.4, wherein: I is an input R, G, or B color value; I' is an output color value: I'.sub.(I=0) =0; and I'.sub.(I=255) =255; and (4) maps the gamma-corrected RGB signals into YUV color space to provide the YUV output bytes of the plurality of usable digital video signals, in accordance with the following equation: ##EQU25##

Claim 47

The system of claim 31, wherein the computer comprises a look-up table, wherein the look-up table converts the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.

Claim 48

The system of claim 31, wherein the computer comprises a processor that converts the plurality of raw digital signals into the plurality of usable digital video signals.