Digital video system for assembling video sequences

Abstract

An image processing system ( 10 ) obtains image sequences and assembles a presentation therefrom. The system has a camera ( 12 ) for capturing image sequences, a random-access electronic memory ( 16 ) for temporary storage of the image sequences, an input reader for accepting pre-programmed instructions from a first storage medium, a control panel with a display ( 18 ) for viewing image sequences ( 64 ) and presenting pre-programmed instructions to the operator and an operator interface for accepting responses to the pre-programmed instructions. A control logic processor ( 20 ) executes pre-programmed instructions and arranges the presentation from the captured image sequences stored in random-access electronic memory ( 16 ), according to operator responses. An output writer records the presentation onto a storage medium.

1 . An image processing system for obtaining a plurality of image sequences and assembling a presentation from the plurality of image sequences, the system comprising: 
 (a) a camera for capturing the plurality of said image sequences;    (b) a random-access electronic memory for temporary storage of the plurality of said image sequences;    (c) an input reader for accepting pre-programmed instructions from a first storage medium;    (d) a control panel comprising: 
 (i) a display for viewing said image sequences and presenting pre-programmed instructions to the operator; and  
 (ii) an operator interface for accepting operator responses to the pre-programmed instructions; and  
   (e) a control logic processor for executing the pre-programmed instructions and for arranging playback of said presentation from the plurality of said captured image sequences stored in said random-access electronic memory according to said operator responses;    
   
   
       2 . An image processing system as in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (f) an output writer for recording said presentation onto a second storage medium.    
   
   
       3 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an output writer for recording said presentation onto said first storage medium.    
   
   
       4 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  wherein said operator interface comprises a touch screen.  
   
   
       5 . An image processing system according to  claim 2  wherein said second storage medium is an optical medium.  
   
   
       6 . An image processing system according to  claim 2  wherein said second storage medium is a magnetic medium.  
   
   
       7 . An image processing system according to  claim 2  wherein said second storage medium is a solid state medium.  
   
   
       8 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  wherein said camera comprises a CCD sensor.  
   
   
       9 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  wherein said control panel is part of said camera.  
   
   
       10 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  wherein said operator interface comprises a touch screen.  
   
   
       11 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  further comprising an audio recording mechanism.  
   
   
       12 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  further comprising an audio playback mechanism.  
   
   
       13 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  wherein the pre-programmed instructions provide a plurality of presentation themes that can be selected using the operator interface, each presentation theme having associated pre-programmed instructions.  
   
   
       14 . An image processing system according to  claim 13  wherein the pre-programmed instructions for each of the plurality of presentation themes enable graphics corresponding to be selected theme to be selected using the operator interface.  
   
   
       15 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  wherein the pre-programmed instructions enable text corresponding to be selected using the operator interface and enable the selected text to be included in at least one image sequence of the presentation.  
   
   
       16 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  wherein the pre-programmed instructions include a background image sequence and instructions for compositing the background image sequence with a captured image sequence.  
   
   
       17 . An image processing system according to  claim 16  wherein the background image sequence includes camera motion and wherein the pre-programmed instructions further include instructions to enable the control logic processor to simulate the camera motion of the background image sequence in at least one captured image sequence.  
   
   
       18 . An image processing system according to  claim 17  wherein the camera motion includes zooming and panning.  
   
   
       19 . An image processing system according to  claim 1  wherein the pre-programmed instructions further include an audio soundtrack.  
   
   
       20 . An image processing system according to  claim 19  wherein the control logic processor plays back the audio soundtrack while the camera captures at least one image sequence.  
   
   
       21 . An image processing system according to  claim 20  wherein the pre-programmed instructions further include lyrics for a song provided in the audio soundtrack.  
   
   
       22 . An image processing system for obtaining a plurality of image sequences and assembling a presentation from the plurality of image sequences, the system comprising: 
 (a) a camera for capturing the plurality of said image sequences;    (b) a random-access electronic memory for temporary storage of the plurality of said image sequences;    (c) an input reader for accepting pre-programmed instructions from a storage medium;    (d) a control panel comprising: 
 (i) a display for viewing said image sequences and presenting pre-programmed instructions to the operator; and  
 (ii) an operator interface for accepting operator responses to the pre-programmed instructions;  
   (e) a control logic processor for executing the pre-programmed instructions and for arranging playback of said presentation from the plurality of said captured image sequences stored in said random-access electronic memory according to said operator responses; and    (f) an output writer for recording said presentation onto said storage medium.    
   
   
       23 . A portable digital video camera and audio player comprising: 
 a sensor for capturing images;    a digital memory for storing a motion video sequence;    a digital memory for storing an audio recording;    an audio reproduction mechanism for playing the audio recording; and    wherein a motion video sequence is captured and stored while the audio reproduction means plays back a stored audio recording.    
   
   
       24 . A portable digital video camera and audio player according to  claim 23  further comprising a graphical user interface for selectively enabling the capability to record digital images while playing back an audio file.  
   
   
       25 . A portable digital video camera and audio player according to  claim 23  further comprising a storage component for storing a background image.  
   
   
       26 . A portable digital video camera and audio player according to  claim 23  further comprising a storage component for storing commands for image processing.  
   
   
       27 . A portable digital video camera and audio player according to  claim 23  further comprising a storage component for storing previously recorded video segments.  
   
   
       28 . A portable digital video camera and audio player according to  claim 27  wherein said storage component is read-only.  
   
   
       29 . A portable digital video camera and audio player according to  claim 27  wherein said storage component is read-write.  
   
   
       30 . An image processing system for obtaining a plurality of image sequences and assembling a presentation from the plurality of image sequences, the system comprising: 
 (a) a camera for capturing the plurality of said image sequences;    (b) a random-access electronic memory for temporary storage of the plurality of said image sequences;    (c) an input reader for accepting pre-programmed instructions from a storage medium;    (d) a control panel comprising: 
 (i) a display for viewing said image sequences and presenting pre-programmed instructions to the operator; and  
 (ii) an operator interface for accepting operator responses to the pre-programmed instructions.  
   
   
   
       31 . An image processing system as in  claim 30  further comprising: 
 (e) a control logic processor for executing the pre-programmed instructions and for arranging playback of the presentation from the plurality of said captured image sequences stored in said random-access electronic memory according to said operator responses.    
   
   
       32 . An image processing system as in  claim 31  further comprising: 
 (f) an output writer for recording said presentation.    
   
   
       33 . A method for forming a presentation comprising a set of image sequences captured using an electronic camera, the method comprising: 
 (a) obtaining programmed instructions for capturing members of the set of image sequences;    (b) assembling an electronic storyboard, according to the programmed instructions, comprising a plan for the arrangement of said members of the set of image sequences;    (c) prompting the camera operator to obtain individual members of said set of said image sequences by displaying operator instructions to the camera operator;    (d) storing said set of said image sequences in a memory;    (e) assembling the presentation using said set of said image sequences, according to said electronic storyboard; and    (f) recording the presentation onto a storage medium.    
   
   
       34 . A method for forming a presentation according to  claim 33  wherein the step of obtaining programmed instructions comprises the step of reading a magnetic medium.  
   
   
       35 . A method for forming a presentation according to  claim 33  wherein the step of obtaining programmed instructions comprises the step of reading an optical medium.  
   
   
       36 . A method for forming a presentation according to  claim 33  wherein the step of obtaining programmed instructions comprises the step of communicating over a network.  
   
   
       37 . A method for forming a presentation according to  claim 33  wherein the step of assembling an electronic storyboard further comprises the step of obtaining operator responses to prompts.  
   
   
       38 . A method for forming a presentation according to  claim 33  further comprising the step of obtaining stored images for use in the presentation.  
   
   
       39 . A method for forming a presentation according to  claim 33  wherein the step of assembling the presentation further comprises the steps of: 
 (a) loading into the memory at least one pre-stored image not obtained from the camera; and    (b) using said at least one pre-stored image as part of the presentation.    
   
   
       40 . An image processing system for obtaining a plurality of image sequences and assembling a presentation from the plurality of image sequences, the system comprising: 
 (a) a camera for capturing the plurality of said image sequences;    (b) a random-access electronic memory for temporary storage of the plurality of said image sequences;    (c) an input reader for accepting pre-programmed instructions from a first storage medium;    (d) a control panel comprising: 
 (i) a display for viewing said image sequences and presenting pre-programmed instructions to the operator; and  
 (ii) an operator interface for accepting operator responses to the pre-programmed instructions;  
   (e) a control logic processor for executing the pre-programmed instructions and for arranging playback of the presentation from the plurality of said captured image sequences stored in said random-access electronic memory according to said operator responses; and    (f) an output writer for recording the presentation onto a second storage medium.