GB2224411A

GB2224411A - A still colour picture transmission system

Info

Publication number: GB2224411A
Application number: GB8918305A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kota Akiya
Original assignee: DAITO DENSHI COLOR KK
Current assignee: DAITO DENSHI COLOR KK
Priority date: 1988-08-17
Filing date: 1989-08-10
Publication date: 1990-05-02
Also published as: JPH0252591A; GB8918305D0; FR2635935A1; DE3927207A1; ES2015447A6

Description

2224411

-1DESCRIPTION A STILL COLOUR PICTURE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

This invention relates to a system for transmission of still colour pictures, and particularly relates to a system for transmission of still colour pictures of high definition at high speed by utilizing optical cables or communications satellites.

With the advances in transmitting technological information in recent years, the transmission of characters, voice or image is utilized in various fields.

However. regarding the transmission of still colour pictures, conventional video communication networks or data communication networks have been utilized, wherein the processing mode of video picture and scanning mode of the image scanner are different in each respective communication network. No interchangeability in each of the communication networks, was therefore possible in such cases. For exclusive use, a new communication network would have to be established, and huge investment expended, hence rendering the system uneconomical.

As regards the electronic processing of still colour pictures, the recent developments in information processing by electronic technology have i 1 -2made possible not only the conversion of a still colour picture into an electronic signal, but also the performing of additional functions in which the still colour picture may be combined with other characters or images, and thus the input picture may be modified, or the input picture may be composed mutually, etc. The image processor needed for the above processing would be complicated and huge in size, and the cost thereof, exhorbitant.

An object of this invention is to provide a system for transmission of still colour pictures wherein a data signal corresponding to the still colour picture which is processed with a different video processing mode or with a different image scanning mode can be transmitted with high definition and high speed by utilizing a different type of the communication network. and thereby provide common, efficient use of the huge and highly priced image processor.

In accordance with the present invention.. a transmission system for still colour pictures comprises an image processor which processes a still colour picture into a digital picture signal, or, vice versa, reproduces and displays a still colour picture from a digital picture signal; a multiplexer which converts the digital picture signal into a multiplex signal or, vice versa, converts a multiplex signal 1 into the digital picture signal; and a circuit terminal device which converts the multiplex signal into a transmitting signal, or, vice versa, converts a transmitting signal into the multiplex signal.

When the still colour picture has been transmitted, each respective component operates as follows:

The image processor processes the still colour picture which is plotted by a laser plotter or scanned by an image scanner, or one which is obtained from various picture data stored in video tapes or laser discs etc. into digital picture signals in predetermined arrangements.

The digital picture signals are processed by the image processor outputs to the multiplexer, where it is multiplexed with other digital signals of picture, characters or voice etc., and converted into one multiplex signal.

In the circuit terminal device, the multiplex signal is 'Converted into the transmitting signal adapted to the desired transmitting standard mode of transmission system to be utilized, and is transmitted.

In the case of receiving a still colour picture, the transmitting signal transmitted via any one of transmission systems inputs into the circuit terminal device, wherein it is converted into the multiplex j signal and outputted to the multiplexer. The multiplex signal input to the multiplexer samples the digital picture signal and is forwarded to the image processor for processing, in which processor a still colour picture is reproduced and displayed by means of an optical display, such as a laser. plotter, a digital colour copier or a digital colour film recorder and the like, as well as an electronic display of a CRT display etc. If necessary, the picture can be stored in a storage medium.

By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig.1 shows a schematic diagram of a transmission system for still colour pictures in accordance with the present invention, and Fig.2 shows the constitution of an image processor forming part of the system of Fig.l.

The still colour picture transmission system of Fig.1 comprises an image processor 1, a multiplexer 2 and a circuit terminal device 3.

In the case of transmitting a still colour picture, the image processor 1 processes an electronic signal which is obtained by means of plotting or scanning by a laser plotter la or an image scanner (not shown) respectively, or by means of extracting a 1 -5still colour picture from picture data of video tapes, laser discs or the like, into a digital picture signal in a predetermined arrangement.

The digital picture signal is then output to the multiplexer 2 and is multiplexed with digital signals of other still colour pictures, characters, and/or voices etc. and these digital signals are converted into one multiplex signal.

The multiplex signal converted in the multiplexer is output to the circuit terminal device 3 and is converted into a transmission signal adapted to the transmitting standard mode of the transmission system to be utilized, for example, any one of the transmitting standard modes including a telephone circuit, an optical fibre communication circuit or a satellite communication circuit etc., and thereafter it is transmitted to the receivers.

In the case where the still colour picture is received, the transmitting signal transmitted via any one of communication circuits inputs into the circuit terminal device 3 wherein it is converted into one multiplex signal, and, in the multiplexer 2, it is separated into various digital signals including the digital picture signal.

The digital picture signal sampled at the multiplexer 2 is processed at the image processor 1 and the still colour picture is reproduced and displayed by means of an optical or electronic display such as the laser plotter la, a digital colour film recorder lb, a digital colour hard copier lc or a CRT display etc. If necessary, this still colour picture may be stored in a storage medium.

The image processor 1 to be used for the processing of a still colour picture or a digital picture signal comprises a central processing unit 4, a magnetic tape memory unit 5, an external magnetic disc memory unit 6, a scanner interface unit 7, an operating unit with colour monitor 8, an operating unit with monochrome monitor 9, a display unit 10, a communication unit 11, a power supply unit 12 and an automatic voltage regulation unit 13, as shown in Fig.2.

The central processing unit 4 effects the electronic processing to convert the digital picture signal into a still colour picture, or, vice versa, to convert the digital picture signal into a still colour picture, in co-operation with the magnetic tape memory unit 5 and the external magnetic disc memory unit 6.

The magnetic tape memory unit 5 is connected to the central processing unit so as to exchange programming files pre-programmed in the central processing unit, to exchange data among the image 1 -7processors having different modes of image processing, or to maintain the records of picture data. The external magnetic disc memory unit 6 includes a bulky memory which is connected with the central processing unit, and operates as a storage medium for the still colour picture data either transmitted or received.

The scanner interface unit 7 selects the data type of the still colour picture, type of display medium, or difference of the scanner or the plotter, and reads or reproduces the still colour picture in the accommodated standard mode thereto.

The operating unit with colour monitor 8 provides a function to produce the display of still colour picture, character, or diagram etc., which was received or transmitted, on one image plane, and further provides a function to change the colour tone of the still colour picture electronically.

The operating unit with monochrome monitor 9 has access by means of a key operation to all devices of the present system, as well as the laser plotter la, the digital colour film recorder lb and the digital colour copier lc, and also, accordingly, this unit is utilized for confirmation if the transmission or reception of data is functioning normally, or if the contents of transmitting or receiving data are in order.

k The display unit 10 operates the control of the colour monitor and picture processing; and the communication unit 11 is utilized to transfer the picture data via the multiplexer 2, and provides compacting or regeneration of the data.

The power supply unit 12 and the automatic voltage regulation unit 13 provide distribution and supply of stabilized electric power, to the central processing unit 4, the magnetic tape memory unit 5, the magnetic disc external memory unit 6, the scanner interface unit 7, the operating unit with colour monitor 8, the operating unit with monochrome monitor 9, the display unit 10 and the communication unit 11, respectively.

Shown in Fig.1, the reference numeral 14 denotes a digital exchanger and 15 denotes a transmittingreceiving apparatus for satellite communication.

The digital exchanger 14 is an exchanger for either the telephone or facsimile for smoothly transmitting the picture. The transmittingreceiving apparatus 15 for satellite communication effects the transmission of still colour pictures by utilizing directly, satellite communication, where the still colour picture transmission system of this invention is established.

To the image processor 1 a multi-functional image processor (not shown) may be connected. Thus, additional functions such as the combination of the still colour picture with other characters, modification of the input still picture or mutual composition of input still pictures and the like, may be achieved, whereby the system with no multi-image processor can utilize the same multi-functional image processor.

The image processor of this invention makes possible the processing of a still colour picture plotted or scanned by the laser plotter or the image scanner or obtained from various picture data of video tapes, laser discs etc into a digital picture signal in a predetermined arrangement. The image processor further makes possible the reproduction and display of a still colour picture by utilizing various optical or electronic displays such as the laser plotter, the digital colour film recorder, the digital colour hard copier or the CRT display, and, if necessary, it can be stored electronically.

Further, by providing a multiplexer, it is possible to transmit a still colour picture of high definition at high speed together with other still colour pictures, characters or voices. The circuit terminal device makes possible the free utilization of i k -10each of the networks having a different transmitting standard mode. Thus the huge investment of costly equipment is avoided and high definition communication at high speed is made possible.

Furthermore, by providing the digital exchanger, one may establish an intra or inter company communication network and the transmission of still colour pictures efficiently. By providing the transmitting- receiving apparatus for satellite communication, it makes possible the direct transmission of still colour pictures from any location by utilizing a communications satellite. Further., by combining the multi- functional image processor to any one of the image processor of the systems constituting the network, the high cost and huge size of the multi-functional image processor may be commonly used with other systems.

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Claims

1. A still colour picture transmission system comprising an image processor for processing a still colour picture into a digital picture signal, or, vice versa, for reproducing and displaying a digital picture signal into a still colour picture; a multiplexer for converting the digital picture signal into a multiplex signal, or, vice versa, a mutliplex signal into the digital picture signal; and a circuit terminal device for converting the multiplex signal into a transmission signal, or, vice versa, a transmission signal into the multiplex signal.

2. A still colour picture transmission system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said circuit terminal device is coupled to an optical cable and/or a satellite communication circuit.

3. A still colour picture transmission system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said image processor comprises a central processing unit, a magnetic tape memory unit, a magnetic disc external memory unit, a scanner interface unit, an operating unit with colour monitor. an operating unit with monochrome monitor, a display unit, a communication unit and an electric power supply source.

4. A still colour picture transmission system as claimed in claim 1, further including a digital exchanger.

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5. A still colour picture transmission system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 4, further including a transmitting-receiving apparatus for satellite communication.

6. A still colour picture transmission system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. - . i 1 i 1 i Published 1990 atThePatentOffice. State House, 66'71 High Holborn, London WCIR4TP.Further copies maybe obtainedfrom The Patentoffice Sales Branch, St Mary Cray, Orpington, Kent BR5 3RD. Printed by MultAplex techniques ltd, St Mary Cray. Kent. Con. 1187