Patent US 5,237,657

Apparatus for manipulating a picture (P1) represented by a video signal (V1) includes a picture manipulator (16R, 16G, 16B, 18R, 18G, 18B) responsive to data representing a desired manipulation to manipulate the picture by changing at least one geometrical parameter thereof. The picture manipulator is controlled by a computer (40) that comprises a keyboard 48 and track ball assembly (50) for entering command information indicative of how the picture is to be manipulated. The computer (40) incorporates processing software that enables the computer to act as processor means responsive to the command information to generate the data representing a desired manipulation. The computer (40) has a VDU (42) and incorporates display software responsive to the command information to cause the VDU to display a frame which is subjected to the same manipulation as that desired for the picture. The computer (40) is selectively connectable to the picture manipulator such that the computer can be used on-line to generate the data and supply it to the manipulator, to control the manipulator, or can be used off-line to generate the data.