Perfless and cadenceless scanning and digitization of motion picture film
AssigneeWarner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
InventorsSteven Craig Klevatt, Michael Charles Borquez, Christopher Eugene Gillaspie
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Motion picture film is scanned by high-resolution, continuous sprocketless scanner, producing a first sequence of digital images each representing a plurality of motion picture frames and perforations (perfs) of the film input. The first sequence of images is processed using a processor running an analysis and extraction algorithm, producing a second sequence of images each including a single, edge-stabilized frame of the motion picture.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- accessing, by at least one processor, a digital image sequence produced by a sprocketless film scanner from motion picture film in a computer memory, wherein images in the sequence include a plurality of frames.
- determining, by the at least processor, a count of perfs and perf image positions in each of the images;
- analyzing, by the at least one processor, each of the images using a finite state machine, wherein the analyzing comprises assigning one of a finite number of image states to the each of the images, based at least in part on the count and perf image positions in the each of the images;
- extracting, by the at least one processor, at least one frame of the motion picture from the each of the images, based at least in part on the image states assigned by the analyzing to the each of the images;
- and
- preparing, by the at least one processor, a sequence of frames extracted by the extracting sequenced according to the motion picture film.
An apparatus comprising at least one processor coupled to a memory, the memory holding program instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to perform:
- accessing a digital image sequence produced by a sprocketless film scanner from motion picture film in a computer memory, wherein images in the sequence include a plurality of frames;
- determining a count of perfs and perf image positions in each of the images;
- analyzing each of the images using a finite state machine, wherein the analyzing comprises assigning one of a finite number of image states to the each of the images, based at least in part on the count and perf image positions in the each of the images;
- extracting at least one frame of the motion picture from the each of the images, based at least in part on the image states assigned by the analyzing to the each of the images;
- and
- preparing a sequence of frames extracted by the extracting sequenced according to the motion picture film.
A method for obtaining a digital image sequence from analog motion picture film, the method comprising:
- scanning the motion picture film by a sprocketless scanner, thereby obtaining a digital image sequence;
- and
- saving the digital image sequence in a computer memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.