Single instrument/card for video applications

Abstract

Video processing arrangement including a host computer having a monitor, a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and an interface for connecting the video asset to the computer to enable the display of video signals on the monitor. The video asset includes various primary elements including a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels and a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes. The video asset also includes a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of the primary elements.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A video processing arrangement for use with a computer, comprising:
 a host computer including a monitor; 
 a video asset coupled to said the computer for generating video signals and including a plurality of sets of external output channels through which the generated video signals are output from said video asset; and 
 an interface for connecting said video asset being connected to said the computer to enable the display of the video signals on said a monitor coupled to the computer, 
 said video asset being a single instrument adapted for insertion into a single slot of said host the computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal from the video asset via a first set of said external output channels of said video asset, 
 a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal from said video asset via a second set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first set of output channels of said video asset, and 
 a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal from said video asset via a third set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first and second sets of external output channels of said video asset, 
 said secondary video source module being arranged configured to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein said primary elements of said video asset further comprise a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes and reading back a captured, fully formatted image for analysis or redisplay. 
     
     
       3. The arrangement of claim  2  1, wherein said video asset further comprises a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of said primary elements. 
     
     
       4. The arrangement of  claim 3 , further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of said primary elements together and to said interface A video processing arrangement for use with a computer, comprising:
 a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and including a plurality of sets of external output channels through which the generated video signals are output from said video asset; and 
 said video asset being connected to the computer to enable the display of the video signals on a monitor coupled to the computer, 
 said video asset being adapted for engaging with the computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal from the video asset via a first set of said external output channels of said video asset, and 
 a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal from said video asset via a second set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first set of external output channels of said video asset, 
 said secondary video source module being configured to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal, 
 
 wherein said primary composite video module includes a deflection waveform generator including memory containing data blocks from which a plurality of analog waveforms are generated, and filters for band-limiting the generated analog waveforms prior to output from said deflection waveform generator. 
 
     
     
       5. The arrangement of claim  2  1, further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of wherein said primary elements together and to said interface are autonomous or autonomously operational such that each of said primary elements does not share operational components with other of said primary elements aside from an interface connecting said video asset to said computer to thereby enable each of said primary elements to act as a stand-alone instrument and all of said primary elements to act simultaneously. 
     
     
       6. The arrangement of claim  2  4, wherein said video asset further comprises a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of said primary elements. 
     
     
       7. The arrangement of  claim 2 , further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of said primary elements together and to said interface A video processing arrangement, comprising:
 a computer; 
 a monitor coupled to said computer; 
 a video asset coupled to said computer for generating video signals and including a plurality of sets of external output channels through which the generated video signals are output from said video asset; 
 said video asset being connected to said computer to enable the display of the video signals on said monitor, 
 said video asset being adapted for engaging with said computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal from the video asset via a first set of said external output channels of said video asset, and 
 a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal from said video asset via a second set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first set of external output channels of said video asset, 
 said secondary video source module being configured to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal; and 
 
 a software calculation and control module incorporated into said computer, said software calculation and control module calculating composite and raster video image pattern data and directing the calculated data into memory of at least one of said primary elements, the calculated data including image content facilities that enable, upon retrieval of the calculated data from said memory of said at least one of said primary elements, creation of the composite and raster video image, the image content facilities including drawing primitives and software macros. 
 
     
     
       8. The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein video asset further comprises a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of said primary elements A video processing arrangement, comprising:
 a computer; 
 a monitor coupled to said computer; 
 a video asset coupled to said computer for generating video signals and including a plurality of sets of external output channels through which the generated video signals are output from said video asset; 
 said video asset being connected to said computer to enable the display of the video signals on said monitor, 
 said video asset being adapted for engaging with said computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal from the video asset via a first set of said external output channels of said video asset, and 
 a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal from said video asset via a second set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first set of external output channels of said video asset, 
 said secondary video source module being configured to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal; and 
 
 a software calculation and control module incorporated into said computer, said software calculation and control module calculating composite and raster video image pattern data and directing the calculated data into memory of at least one of said primary elements, the calculated data including image content facilities that enable, upon retrieval of the calculated data from said memory of said at least one of said primary elements, creation of the composite and raster video image, the image content facilities including software macros of predefined alphanumeric characters. 
 
     
     
       9. The arrangement of  claim 8 , further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of said primary elements together and to said interface A video processing arrangement, comprising:
 a computer; 
 a monitor coupled to said computer; 
 a video asset coupled to said computer for generating video signals and including a plurality of sets of external output channels through which the generated video signals are output from said video asset; 
 said video asset being connected to said computer to enable the display of the video signals on said monitor, 
 said video asset being adapted for engaging with said computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal from the video asset via a first set of said external output channels of said video asset, and 
 a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal from said video asset via a second set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first set of external output channels of said video asset, 
 said secondary video source module being configured to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal; and 
 
 a software calculation and control module incorporated into said computer, said software calculation and control module enabling entry of one or more of a plurality of colors associated with composite and raster video image patterns and directing the entered color or colors into memory of at least one of said primary elements, the entered color enabling, upon retrieval from said memory of said at least one of said primary elements, creation of the composite and raster video image in the entered color or colors. 
 
     
     
       10. The arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising A video processing arrangement for use with a computer, comprising:
 a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and including a plurality of sets of external output channels through which the generated video signals are output from said video asset; and 
 an interface for connecting said video asset to the computer to enable the display of the video signals on a monitor coupled to the computer, 
 said video asset being adapted for engaging with said computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal from the video asset via a first set of said external output channels of said video asset, and 
 a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal from said video asset via a second set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first set of external output channels of said video asset, 
 said secondary video source module being configured to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal; and  
 
 a serial data interface for connecting each of said primary elements together and to said interface, 
 wherein said primary elements further comprise a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal from said video asset via a third set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first and second sets of external output channels of said video asset, 
 said video asset being a single instrument adapted for insertion into a single slot of the computer. 
 
     
     
       11. The arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface for connecting said video asset to the computer, wherein said interface is a VXI interface, a PXI interface, a PCI interface, or a LXI interface. 
     
     
       12. The arrangement of  claim 2 , A video processing arrangement for use with a computer, comprising:
 a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and including a plurality of sets of external output channels through which the generated video signals are output from said video asset, 
 said video asset being connected to the computer to enable the display of the video signals on a monitor coupled to the computer, 
 said video asset being adapted for engaging with said computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal from the video asset via a first set of said external output channels of said video asset, and 
 a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal from said video asset via a second set of said external output channels of said video asset different than said first set of external output channels of said video asset, 
 said secondary video source module being configured to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal; and  
 
 wherein said real time capture module is arranged to read back a captured, fully formatted image for analysis or redisplay primary composite video module includes a line parameter memory including data blocks each corresponding to a line of video, each of said data blocks including a pointer to a sync memory, said primary composite video module being configurable to simulate faults by controlling the sync memory pointer. 
 
     
     
       13. A video processing arrangement, comprising:
 a host computer including a monitor; 
 a video asset coupled to said computer for generating video signals; and 
 an interface for connecting said video asset to said computer to enable the display of the video signals on said monitor, 
 said video asset being a single instrument adapted for insertion into a single slot of said host computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, and a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal via output channels, said secondary video source module being arranged to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal. 
 
     
     
       14. The arrangement of  claim 13 , wherein said primary elements of said video asset further comprise a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes. 
     
     
       15. The arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein video asset further comprises a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of said primary elements said primary composite video module includes a deflection waveform generator including memory containing data blocks from which a plurality of analog waveforms are generated, and filters for band-limiting the generated analog waveforms prior to output from said deflection waveform generator. 
     
     
       16. The arrangement of claim  15  13, further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of wherein said primary elements together and to said interface are autonomous or autonomously operational such that each of said primary elements does not share components with other of said primary elements aside from said interface to thereby enable each of said primary elements to act as a stand-alone instrument and all of said primary elements to act simultaneously. 
     
     
       17. The arrangement of claim  14  13, further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of wherein said primary elements together and to said interface further comprise a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels. 
     
     
       18. The arrangement of  claim 13 , wherein said video asset further comprises a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of said primary elements. 
     
     
       19. The arrangement of  claim 13 , further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of said primary elements together and to said interface. 
     
     
       20. The arrangement of  claim 19 , wherein video asset further comprises a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of said primary elements primary composite video module includes a line parameter memory including data blocks each corresponding to a line of video, each of said data blocks including a pointer to a sync memory, said primary composite video module being configurable to simulate faults by controlling the sync memory pointer. 
     
     
       21. The arrangement of  claim 13 , wherein said interface is a VXI interface, a PXI interface, a PCI interface, or a LXI interface. 
     
     
       22. The arrangement of  claim 14 , wherein said real time capture module is arranged to read back a captured, fully formatted image for analysis or redisplay. 
     
     
       23. A video processing arrangement, comprising:
 a host computer including a monitor; 
 a video asset coupled to said computer for generating video signals; and 
 an interface for connecting said video asset to said computer to enable the display of the video signals on said monitor, 
 said video asset being a single instrument adapted for insertion into a single slot of said host computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, and 
 a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes, said real time capture module including a plurality of identical input channels, each of said input channels being arranged to receive and format a respective input component of the same video signals. 
 
 
     
     
       24. The arrangement of  claim 23 , wherein said video asset further comprises a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of said primary elements. 
     
     
       25. The arrangement of claim  24  23, further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of wherein said primary elements together and to said interface are autonomous or autonomously operational such that each of said primary elements does not share components with other of said primary elements aside from said interface and said distributed time base module to thereby enable each of said primary elements to act as a stand-alone instrument and all of said primary elements to act simultaneously. 
     
     
       26. The arrangement of  claim 23 , further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of said primary elements together and to said interface. 
     
     
       27. The arrangement of  claim 23 , wherein said interface is a VXI interface, a PXI interface, a PCI interface, or a LXI interface. 
     
     
       28. The arrangement of  claim 23 , wherein said primary elements of said video asset further include a secondary video source module that produces a secondary composite video signal and outputs the secondary composite video signal via output channels, said secondary video source module being arranged to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal. 
     
     
       29. The arrangement of  claim 23 , wherein said real time capture module is arranged to capture synchronized and deflection (XYZ) video images. 
     
     
       30. The arrangement of  claim 23 , wherein said real time capture module is arranged to read back a captured, fully formatted image for analysis or redisplay. 
     
     
       31. A video processing arrangement, comprising:
 a host computer including a monitor; 
 a video asset coupled to said computer for generating video signals; and 
 an interface for connecting said video asset to said computer to enable the display of the video signals on said monitor, 
 said video asset being a single instrument adapted for insertion into a single slot of said host computer and comprising a plurality of primary elements including:
 a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels and 
 a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes, said real time capture module including a plurality of identical input channels, each of said input channels being arranged to receive and format a respective input component of the same video signals. 
 
 
     
     
       32. The arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said video asset further comprises a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of said primary elements. 
     
     
       33. The arrangement of claim  32  31, further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of wherein said primary elements together and to said interface are autonomous or autonomously operational such that each of said primary elements does not share components with other of said primary elements aside from said interface to thereby enable each of said primary elements to act as a stand-alone instrument and all of said primary elements to act simultaneously. 
     
     
       34. The arrangement of  claim 31 , further comprising a serial data interface for connecting each of said primary elements together and to said interface. 
     
     
       35. The arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said interface is a VXI interface, a PXI interface, a PCI interface, or a LXI interface. 
     
     
       36. The arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said primary elements of said video asset further include a primary composite video module that produces different types of a primary video signal and outputs the primary video signal via output channels. 
     
     
       37. The arrangement of  claim 36 , wherein said primary elements of said video asset further include a secondary video source module that produces a secondary composite video signal and outputs the secondary composite video signal via output channels, said secondary video source module being arranged to produce the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal. 
     
     
       38. The arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said real time capture module is arranged to capture synchronized and deflection (XYZ) video images. 
     
     
       39. The arrangement of  claim 31 , wherein said real time capture module is arranged to read back a captured, fully formatted image for analysis or redisplay.