Electronic video processing system

A video processing apparatus comprising:

• at least one storing unit for storing digital video data representing a multiplicity of video frames;
• an access circuit connected to said storing unit for providing random access input to and output from said storing unit of video frames;
• two ports connected to the access circuit and each capable, independently or simultaneously with the other, of transferring by way of said access circuit to or from said storing unit a video frame at video rate;
• a frame store for storing data representing at least one video frame and corresponding control image;
• a user operable input device;
• and
• a processor responsive to the user operable input device, the processor comprising a selecting circuit for selecting at least one initial video frame and corresponding initial control image to be processed and for writing data representing the selected at least one video frame and corresponding control image to the frame store, a circuit for processing control image data in the frame store to produce data representing a modified control image for producing further identifying data which enables the modified control image to be uniquely identified and indicates that the modified control image is associated with the selected at least one initial video frame and corresponding control image, and a writing circuit for writing the thus produced modified control image data to the storing unit for storage therein in association with the selected at least one initial video frame and corresponding control image.

An electronic video store method comprising steps of:

• storing digital video data representing a multiplicity of video frames in at least one storing unit;
• providing an access circuit connected to said storing circuit for providing random access input to and output from said storing unit of video frames;
• and
• providing two ports connected to the access circuit and each capable, independently of simultaneously with the other, transferring by way of said access circuit to or from said storing unit a video frame at video rate.

A video processing method comprising steps of:

• storing digital video data representing a multiplicity of video frames in at least one store unit;
• providing an access circuit connected to said storing unit for providing random access input to and output from said storing unit of video frames;
• providing two ports connected to the access circuit and each capable, independently or simultaneously with the other, of transferring by way of said access circuit to or from said storing unit a video frame at video rate;
• storing in a frame store data representing at least one video frame and corresponding control image;
• and
• providing a processor responsive to user input, the processor comprising a selecting circuit for selecting at least one initial video frame and corresponding initial control image to be processed and for writing data representing the selected at least one video frame and corresponding control image to the frame store, a circuit for processing control image data in the frame store to produce data representing a modified control image and for producing further identifying data which enables the modified control image to be uniquely identified and indicates that the modified control image is associated with the selected at least one initial video frame and corresponding control image, and a writing circuit for writing the thus produced modified control image data to the storing unit for storage therein in association with the selected at least one initial video frame and corresponding control image.