IP Library Granted Patent US 7,009,611
Granted Patent B2
US 7,009,611 · App. 09/996,186 · Granted Mar 7, 2006

Generating three dimensional text

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,009,611
App. No.
09/996,186
Granted
Mar 7, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for generating three-dimensional text 1403 within images 1601 composited in real time, by means of generating three-dimensional text 1403 from one or a plurality of text formatting templates 303 . Storage means 204 stores said text formatting templates 303 and instructions 302 for processing means 201, 202 . Said instructions 302 configure said processing means 201, 202 to define ( 404 ) a text formatting template 512 . Said instructions 302 further configure said processing means 201, 202 to equip ( 405 ) said defined text formatting template 512 with three-dimensional preferences with which to format text 1402 to be included in said template and subsequently equip ( 407 ) said defined text formatting template 512 with said text 1402 . Said instructions 302 finally configure said processing means 201,202 to render ( 408 ) said two-dimensional template 512 including said text 1403 formatted according to said three-dimensional preferences ( 1602 ).

Claims (62)

1. Apparatus for generating a live video broadcast in which information to be broadcast develops during said broadcast and said information is reflected in three-dimensional text included with said broadcast, comprising:

(a) video signal generation means for generating a live video signal;

(b) a text input device and text input receiving means for receiving input text from said text input device;

(c) an object database arranged to store a template of three dimensional preferences for input text in one or more objects;

(d) a display means configured to display contents of the object database for the template in a first window, wherein the first window comprises:

(i) an object number referencing column;

(ii) an object referencing column;

(iii) an object type column;

(iv) an object value column; and

(v) a timecode display column;

(e) text generating means for generating three dimensional text by formatting said input text in accordance with the three dimensional preferences of said template; and

(f) combining means arranged to combine said three dimensional text with said live video signal to produce a broadcast signal.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said text input device is a manually operable keyboard.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said text input device is real-time database.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said three-dimensional preferences are defined by a movement or by a alpha-numeric input.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said three-dimensional preferences specify a behaviour that takes place as text is added.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said three-dimensional preferences specify a rotation in two-dimensions or in three-dimensions.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said three-dimensional preferences define a scaling factor, an extrusion, a texture, or a light source, or any combination of the aforesaid preferences.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said object database is arranged to store a plurality of available templates wherein one of said templates is selected for a particular application.

9. A method for generating a live video broadcast wherein information to be broadcast in three-dimensional text develops during said broadcast, the method comprising:

(a) generating a live video signal;

(b) receiving input text from an input device;

(c) reading a template of three-dimensional preferences, stored in one or more objects, for said input text from an object database;

(d) displaying the three-dimensional preferences of the template in a first window, wherein the first window comprises:

(i) an object number referencing column;

(ii) an object referencing column;

(iii) an object type column;

(iv) an object value column; and

(v) a timecode display column;

(e) generating three-dimensional text by formatting said input text in accordance with said three-dimensional preferences of said template; and

(f) combing said tree-dimensional text with said live video to produce a broadcast signal.

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said text input device is a manually operable keyboard.

11. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said text input device is a real-time database.

12. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said three-dimensional preferences are defined by a movement or by a alpha-numeric input.

13. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said three-dimensional preferences specify a behavior that takes place as text is added.

14. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said three-dimensional preferences specify a rotation in two-dimensions or in three-dimensions.

15. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said three-dimensional preferences define a scaling factor, an extrusion, a texture, or a light source, or any combination of the aforesaid preferences.

16. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said object database is arranged to store a plurality of available templates wherein one of said templates is selected for a particular application.

17. A method according to claim 9 , wherein said preferences define the position of said three-dimensional text.

18. Apparatus for generating a live video broadcast in which information to be broadcast develops during said broadcast and said information is reflected in three-dimensional text included with said broadcast, comprising:

(a) video signal generation means for generating a live video signal;

(b) a text input device and text input receiving means for receiving input text from said text input device;

(c) an object database arranged to store a template of three dimensional preferences for input text in one or more objects;

(d) a display means configured to:

(i) display contents of the object database for the template in a first window;

(ii) display a second window when an object displayed in the first window is selected, said second window comprising:

(1) a template properties referencing column comprising one or more properties of the object; and

(2) a template property value column comprising one or more values for each property displayed in the template properties referencing column;

(e) text generating means for generating three dimensional text by formatting said input text in accordance with the three dimensional preferences of said template; and

(f) combining means arranged to combine said three dimensional text with said live video signal to produce a broadcast signal.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first window provides a graphical user interface for a user to edit the contents of the object database displayed in the first window in text based columns.

20. A method for generating a live video broadcast wherein information to be broadcast in three-dimensional text develops during said broadcast, the method comprising:

(a) generating a live video signal;

(b) receiving input text from an input device;

(c) reading a template of three-dimensional preferences, stored in one or more objects, for said input text from an object database;

(d) displaying the three-dimensional preferences of the template in a first window,

(e) displaying a second window when an object, for a three-dimensional preference, displayed in the first window is selected, said second window comprising:

(i) a template properties referencing column comprising one or more properties of the object; and

(ii) a template property value column comprising one or more values for each property displayed in the template properties referencing column;

(e) generating three-dimensional text by formatting said input text in accordance with said three-dimensional preferences of said template; and

(f) combing said three-dimensional text with said live video to produce a broadcast signal.

21. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the first window provides a graphical user interface for a user to edit the contents of the object database displayed in the first window in text-based columns.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 24, 2009
From: AUTODESK CANADA CO.
To: AUTODESK, INC.
Reel/Frame 022445/0222 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 19, 2005
From: AUTODESK CANADA INC.
To: AUTODESK CANADA CO.
Reel/Frame 016641/0922 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 24, 2002
From: DISCREET LOGIC INC.
To: AUTODESK CANADA INC.
Reel/Frame 012897/0077 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 28, 2001
From: DI LELLE, JUAN PABLO
To: DISCREET LOGIC INC.
Reel/Frame 012339/0352 →