Computerized interactive menu-driven video signal processing apparatus and method

A computerized film-to-video signal storage and retrieval device with an interactive menu-driven operator control interface, comprising:

• video storage and retrieval means for coupling to a film scanner and receiving therefrom a video signal which represents a scanned optical film image, for receiving a computerized video storage instruction and in accordance therewith storing said video signal, and
• for receiving a computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored video signal;
• and
• computer means for providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions, for receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command, and for providing said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions to said video storage and retrieval means in accordance with said received first control signal, wherein said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions selectively represent defined video scenes and frames.

A computerized film-to-video converter and signal processor with an interactive menu-driven operator control interface, comprising:

• scanner means for receiving a computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image, and for providing a video signal representing said scanned optical film image;
• processor means for receiving computerized signal processing control data and said video signal, and for selectively processing said received video signal in accordance with said received computerized signal processing control data;
• video storage and retrieval means for receiving a computerized video storage instruction and in accordance therewith receiving and storing said selectively processed video signal, and for receiving a computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored, selectively processed video signal;
• and
• computer means for providing a plurality of operator feedback signals selectively representing a plurality of pictographic menu displays depicting a plurality of operator control commands corresponding to said computerized film scanning instruction, said computerized signal processing control data and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions, and for receiving a plurality of control signals corresponding to said plurality of operator control commands, and further for selectively providing said computerized film scanning instruction, said computerized signal processing control data and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions to said scanner means, said processor means, and said video storage and retrieval means, respectively, in accordance with said received plurality of control signals, wherein said computerized film scanning instruction and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions selectively represent defined film and video scenes and frames, respectively.

An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal processing method, comprising the steps of:

• receiving computerized signal processing control data;
• receiving from a film scanner a video signal representing a scanned optical film image;
• selectively processing said video signal in accordance with said computerized signal processing control data;
• providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized signal processing control data;
• receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command;
• and
• providing said computerized signal processing control data in accordance with said first control signal.

An interactive menu-driven film-to-video signal storage and retrieval method, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a computerized video storage instruction;
• receiving from a film scanner a video signal representing a scanned optical film image;
• receiving a computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored video signal;
• providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions;
• receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command;
• and
• providing said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with said first control signal, wherein said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions selectively represent defined video scenes and frames.

An interactive menu-driven film scanning method, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image;
• providing a video signal representing said scanned optical film image;
• providing a first operator feedback signal representing a first pictographic menu display depicting a first operator control command corresponding to said computerized film scanning instruction;
• receiving a first control signal corresponding to said first operator control command;
• and
• providing said computerized film scanning instruction in accordance with said first control signal, wherein said computerized film scanning instruction selectively represents defined film scenes and frames.

An interactive menu-driven film-to-video conversion and signal processing method, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a computerized film scanning instruction and in accordance therewith scanning an optical film image;
• providing a video signal representing said scanned optical film image;
• receiving computerized signal processing control data and said video signal;
• selectively processing said video signal in accordance with said computerized signal processing control data;
• receiving a computerized video storage instruction and in accordance therewith receiving and storing said selectively processed video signal;
• receiving a computerized video retrieval instruction and in accordance therewith retrieving and outputting said stored, selectively processed video signal;
• providing a plurality of operator feedback signals selectively representing a plurality of pictographic menu displays depicting a plurality of operator control commands corresponding to said computerized film scanning instruction, said computerized signal processing control data, and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions;
• receiving a plurality of control signals corresponding to said plurality of operator control commands;
• and
• selectively providing said computerized film scanning instruction, said computerized signal processing control data and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions in accordance with said plurality of control signals, wherein said computerized film scanning instruction and said computerized video storage and retrieval instructions selectively represent defined film and video scenes and frames, respectively.