Downstream video composition

Abstract

A video source, a display and a method of processing multilayered video are disclosed. The video source decodes a multilayered video bit stream to transmit synchronized streams of decompressed video images and corresponding overlay images to an interconnected display. The display receives separate streams of video and overlay images. Transmission and reception of corresponding video and overlay images is synchronized in time. A video image received in the display can be selectively processed separately from its corresponding overlay image. The video image as processed at the display is later composited with its corresponding overlay image to form an output image for display.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of processing video in a display device, said method comprising:
 i) receiving from a video source, a first stream comprising video images decoded at said video source;   ii) concurrently receiving a second stream comprising overlay images formed at said video source;   iii) selectively processing said received video images at said display device; and   iv) compositing said overlay images with said video images, as processed at said device, to form output images for display at said display device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said selectively processing comprises at least one of: de-noising, scaling, and inverse telecine, de-interlacing, de-blocking, and color space conversion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: concurrently receiving a plurality of additional streams comprising additional overlay images decoded at said video source, wherein said compositing further comprises blending said additional overlay images with said video images, as processed at said device to form said images for display. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first stream is received over a first video link and said second stream is received over a second video link. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first stream comprises pixels of said video images; and said second stream comprises pixels of said overlay images and transparencies associated with each of said pixels of said overlay images. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , said video images and said overlay images are received at the same rate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second stream are multiplexed at said video source. 
     
     
         8 . A method of providing video from a video source, for processing at a display device, said method comprising:
 i) forming video images from a first input bitstream comprising compressed video;   ii) forming overlay images from a second input bitstream comprising overlay data;   iii) transmitting a first stream comprising said video images to said display device;   iv) concurrently transmitting a second stream comprising said overlay images to said display device, for compositing with said video images at said display device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said first stream is transmitted over a first video link and said second stream is transmitted over a second video link. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said second stream comprises pixels of said overlay images and transparencies associated with said pixels. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 i) forming a plurality of additional overlay images from a plurality of additional input bitstreams comprising additional overlay data; and   ii) concurrently transmitting a plurality of supplementary streams comprising said additional overlay images, for compositing with said video images at said display device.