Video processing and telepresence system and method

A codec comprising a video input for receiving an encoded video stream, a decoder the decoding the encoded video stream to result in a decoded video stream, a video output for transmitting the decoded video stream and switching means for switching the decoded during decoding between a first mode, in which the encoded video stream is decoded in accordance with a first encoding format, to a second mode, in which the encoded video stream is decoded in accordance with a second encoding format.

A codec according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the codec is capable of changing the resolution and/or size of a video image of the video stream.

A method of generating a telepresence of a subject comprising filming the subject to generate a continuous video stream, transmitting the video stream to a remote location and producing an isolated subject image and/or Pepper's Ghost at the remote location based on the transmitted video stream, wherein transmitting the video stream comprises selecting different ones of a plurality of encoding formats during the transmission of the video stream based on changes in action being filmed and changing the encoding format to the selected encoding format during transmission.

A codec substantially as described herein with reference to FIG. 2.

A telepresence system substantially as described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

A video processer comprising a video input for receiving a video stream, a video output for transmitting the processed video stream, wherein the processor is arranged to identify an outline of a subject in each frame of the video stream by scanning pixels of each frame to identify adjacent pixels or sets of pixels wherein the relative difference between an attribute of the adjacent pixels or sets of pixels is above a predetermined level and defining the outline as a continuous line between these pixels or sets of pixels, and make pixels that fall outside the outline a preselected colour.

A data carrier having stored thereon instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to receive a video stream, identify an outline of a subject in each frame of the video stream by scanning pixels of each frame to identify adjacent pixels or sets of pixels wherein the relative difference between an attribute of the adjacent pixels or sets of pixels is above a predetermined level and defining the outline as a continuous line between these pixels or sets of pixels, make pixels that fall outside the outline a preselected colour and transmit the processed video stream.

A method of filming a subject to be projected as a Pepper's Ghost, the method comprising filming a subject under a lighting arrangement having one or more front lights for illuminating, a front of the subject and one or more back lights for illuminating a rear of the subject, wherein the front lights emit light having a characteristic frequency spectrum that is different from a characteristic frequency spectrum of light emitted by the back lights.

A codec comprising a video input for receiving a video stream of a subject, an encoder for encoding the video stream to result in an encoded video stream and a video output for transmitting the encoded video stream, the encoder arranged to process each frame of the video stream by identifying an outline of the subject and encoding the pixels that fall within the outline whilst disregarding pixels that fall outside the outline to form the encoded video stream.

A codec comprising a video input for receiving a video stream and associated audio stream, an encoder for encoding the video and audio streams and a video output for transmitting the encoded video and audio streams to another codec, wherein the codec is arranged to, during transmission of the video and audio streams, periodically transmit to another codec a test signal (a ping), receive an echo response to the test signal from the other codec, determine from the time between sending the test signal and receiving the echo response a signal latency for transmission to the other codec and introduce a suitable delay to the or a further audio stream for the determined signal latency.

A codec comprising a video input for receiving from another codec an encoded video stream and associated audio stream, a decoder for decoding the video and audio streams and a video output for transmitting the decoded video and audio streams, wherein the codec is arranged to, during transmission of the video and audio streams, transmit an echo response to the other codec in response to receiving a test signal (a ping).

A system for transmitting a plurality of video streams to be displayed as an isolated subject and/or Pepper's Ghost comprising a codec for receiving the plurality of video streams, encoding the plurality of video streams and transmitting the encoded plurality of video streams to a remote location, wherein the plurality of video streams are generation locked (Genlocked) based on one of the plurality of video signals.

A video processor comprising a video input for receiving a video stream, a video output for transmitting the processed video stream, wherein the processor is arranged to identify an outline of a subject in each frame of the video stream by scanning each line of pixels of each frame to identify pixels or sets of pixels that have a contrast above a predetermined level due to a dark background compared to the bright subject and modifying one or both of these pixels or sets of pixels to have a higher luminescence than an original luminescence of either pixel or set of pixels.