Patent ID: 6657637
Filing Date: 2003-12-02
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
A moving image combining apparatus combining computer graphic images (hereafter referred to as CG images) and at least one video sequence composed of a plurality of video frames, the moving image combining apparatus comprising:an information storage means for storing object information showing an outline and location for at least one object in three-dimensional (3D) space; a video obtaining means for obtaining from an external source at least one video sequence composed of a plurality of video frames generated at a fixed video display rate; an image storage means; a receiving means for receiving position information showing a position of a moving viewpoint; a graphics generating means for generating CG images one at a time at a graphics display rates and, on completing the generation of a CG image, writing the CG image into the image storage means, the CG image obtaining by projecting each object whose outline and location is shown by the object information onto a projection surface, as seen from a current position of the moving viewpoint shown by the position information; and a video frame generating step fetching at least one video frame from the at least one video sequence at the video display rate and writing the fetched at least one video frame over a CG image, the CG image being stored in the image storage means immediately prior to the time that the at least one video frame was fetched, wherein the graphics generating step further performs rendering on each generated CG image, and writes the rendered CG images into the image storage means, each object includes at least one video display area, the moving image combining apparatus combines, on at least one video screen located on the projection surface, at least one video sequence and a CG image, each video screen corresponding to a video display area, the object information includes information showing an outline and location for each video display area, the graphics generating step further calculates screen information showing an outline and location for each video screen, each video screen obtained by projecting a video display area shown by an outline and location in the object information onto the projection surface, and the video frame generating step overwrites fetched video frames at each location shown by the screen information, so that each fetched video frame fits an outline shown in the screen information.