Apparatus and methods for combining video signals representing images having different depths

An apparatus for combining a plurality of video signals into a single video signal, comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a plurality of video signals each comprising a video image signal, a key signal and a depth information signal;
• selecting means for selecting two of said plurality of video signals that are closest to a viewpoint for viewing images represented by the video signals in a predetermined interval as a function of the depth information signals;
• and
• weighting and mixing means for weighting and mixing the selected video signals as a function of the key signals and the depth information signals thereof in said predetermined interval.

An apparatus for combining a plurality of video signals into a single video signal, comprising:

• receiving means for receiving a plurality of video signals each comprising a video image signal, a key signal and a depth information signal;
• selecting means for selecting two of said plurality of video signals that are closest to a viewpoint for viewing images represented by the video signals in a pixel as a function of the depth information signals, said selecting means comprising
• detecting means for comparing the depth information signals contained in the video signals corresponding to said pixel to detect two of said depth information signals of two of said video signals that represent portions of a video image that are closest to said viewpoints, and
• holding means for holding the two video signals having the detected two depth information signals;
• and
• weighting and mixing means for weighting and mixing the selected video signals as a function of the key signals and the depth information signals thereof.

An apparatus for combining at least three video signals into a single video signal, at least one of said video signals representing special video effects, said apparatus comprising:

• receiving means for receiving at least three video signals, including said at least one video signal which represents special video effects, each of said video signals comprising a video image signal, a key signal and a depth information signal;
• selecting means for selecting, for each pixel, two video signals that are closest to a viewpoint for viewing images represented by the video signals from said at least three video signals;
• said selecting means comprising:
• detecting means for comparing the depth information signals contained in the video signals corresponding to said pixel to detect two of said depth information signals of two of said video signals that represent portions of a video image that are closest to said viewpoint, and
• holding means for holding the two video signals having the detected two depth information signals;
• and
• weighting and mixing means for weighting and mixing the selected video signals as a function of the key signals and depth information thereof.

A method of combining a plurality of video signals into a single video signal, each of said video signals being comprised of a video image signal and being further comprised of a key signal and a depth information signal which depend on the video image signal, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving M video signals;
• selecting N of said M received video signals having a higher priority in a predetermined interval;
• and
• weighting and mixing the selected N video signals as a function of the key signals and the depth information signals in said predetermined interval.

A method of combining a plurality of video signals into a single video signal, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a plurality of video signals each comprising a video image Signal, a key signal and a depth information signal;
• selecting two of said plurality of video signals that are closest to a viewpoint for viewing images represented by the video signals in a predetermined interval as a function of the depth information signals;
• and
• weighting and mixing the selected video signals as a function of the key signals and the depth information signals thereof in said predetermined interval.

A method of combining at least three video signals into a single video signal, at least one of said video signals representing special video effects, said method comprising the steps of:

• receiving at least three video signals, including said at least one video signal which represents special video effects, each of said video signals comprising a video image signal, a key signal and a depth information signal;
• selecting, for each pixel, two video signals that are closest to a viewpoint for viewing images represented by the video signals from said at least three video signals, by comparing the depth information signals contained in the video signals corresponding to said pixel to detect two of said depth information signals of two of said video signals that represent portions of a video image that are closest to said viewpoint, and holding the two video signals having the detected two depth information signals;
• and
• weighting and mixing the selected video signals as a function of the key signals and depth information thereof.