Abstract: A method of improving a first color filter array image from an image sensor having a plurality of color channels and a panchromatic channel, includes capturing the panchromatic channel at a different exposure time than at least one of the color channels with the image sensor; using the color channels to provide a luminance channel; and analyzing the color filter array image and the luminance channel to determine defective pixels in the color channels and using neighboring color and luminance pixel values to improve the defective pixels to produce a second color filter array image or full-color image having at least one improved channel.

Abstract: A method of producing a digital image with reduced object motion blur, includes capturing at least a first and second digital image of a scene using an exposure time that reduces image blur; combining pixels of the first digital image to produce a third digital image which is brighter than the first and second digital images and has a lower resolution than either the first or second digital images; identifying static and moving regions between the first and second digital images; operating on the first and second digital images to produce a fourth digital image which is brighter than the first and second digital images and has object motion blur; and replacing the moving regions in the fourth digital image with corresponding regions from the third digital image to thereby provide a fifth digital image with reduced object motion blur and increased brightness.

Abstract: A system and method for determining and correcting for imaging device motion during an exposure is provided. According to various embodiments of the present invention, multiple sets of image pixels are defined on an image sensor, where each set of pixels is at least partially contained in the output image area of the image sensor. Signals from each set of image pixels are read out once or more during an exposure, motion estimates are computed using signal readouts from one or more sets of image pixels, and signal readouts from one or more sets of the image pixels are processed to form the final output image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing image data from multiple image sensors and generating an output image sequence are disclosed. The multiple image sensors capture data with one or more different characteristics, such as: staggered exposure periods, different length exposure periods, different frame rates, different spatial resolution, different lens systems, and different focal lengths. The data from multiple image sensors is processed and interleaved to generate an improved output motion sequence relative to an output motion sequence generated from an a single equivalent image sensor.

Abstract: In a method for altering a video sequence, a first portion of the video sequence is digitally stabilized in accordance with an initial set of image stabilization parameters and displayed to a user. An input from the user is accepted during the displaying. The user input defines a revised set of image stabilization parameters. A second portion of the video sequence is then digitally stabilized in accordance with the revised set of image stabilization parameters and is displayed to the user. A predetermined video frame rate is maintained continuously during and between the displaying steps.

Abstract: In a method for producing output from an image record, the type of input unit supplying the image record is determined. The image record is classified into one of a predetermined plurality of different edit statuses. The classifying utilizes as input the determined type of input unit. The edit statuses are inclusive of unedited status and very-edited status. The image record is digitally enhanced. During the enhancing material alteration of the image record is constrained. The enhancing is more constrained when the edit status is very-edited and less when the edit status is other than very-edited. The image record is rendered to match a predetermined output unit. The resulting image record is output in viewable form.

Abstract: A method of producing a digital image with reduced object motion blur, includes capturing at least a first and second digital image of a scene using an exposure time that reduces image blur; combining pixels of the first digital image to produce a third digital image which is brighter than the first and second digital images and has a lower resolution than either the first or second digital images; identifying static and moving regions between the first and second digital images; operating on the first and second digital images to produce a fourth digital image which is brighter than the first and second digital images and has object motion blur; and replacing the moving regions in the fourth digital image with corresponding regions from the third digital image to thereby provide a fifth digital image with reduced object motion blur and increased brightness.

Abstract: A method for encoding rate-distortion information associated with the compression of an input digital image includes the steps of: computing rate and distortion-reduction values associated with each coding pass of each compressed codeblock bit-stream, and encoding rate and distortion-reduction values associated with coding passes contained in the final compressed bit-stream. A method for using encoded rate-distortion information associated with a compressed digital image bit-stream during transcoding of said compressed digital image bitstream includes the steps of: parsing the compressed digital image bit-stream to obtain compressed codeblock bit-streams, decoding the encoded RD information to obtain rate and distortion-reduction values associated with codeblock coding passes, and using such rate-distortion information to optimally transcode such compressed digital image bit-stream to form a new compressed digital image bit-stream at a given bit-rate, resolution, and for given visual weights.

Abstract: In compressions of digital images having a plurality of initial pixels, an image type and a quantization step-size set preassigned to the image type, are associated with a respective coordinate of each of the initial pixels. The digital image is decomposed to produce a plurality of subbands. Coefficients of the subbands define a plurality of resultant pixels, each having a respective one of the coordinates. The subband coefficients also define, for each subband coefficient, a group of resultant pixels to which the subband coefficient contributes. After the decomposition, each of the subband coefficients are shrunk by a respective adjustment that is a function of the respective quantization step-size sets associated with the coordinates of the resultant pixels to which the subband coefficient contributes.

Abstract: A method for encoding rate-distortion information associated with the compression of an input digital image includes the steps of: computing rate and distortion-reduction values associated with each coding pass of each compressed codeblock bit-stream, and encoding rate and distortion-reduction values associated with coding passes contained in the final compressed bit-stream. A method for using encoded rate-distortion information associated with a compressed digital image bit-stream during transcoding of said compressed digital image bitstream includes the steps of: parsing the compressed digital image bitstream to obtain compressed codeblock bit-streams, decoding the encoded RD information to obtain rate and distortion-reduction values associated with codeblock coding passes, and using such rate-distortion information to optimally transcode such compressed digital image bit-stream to form a new compressed digital image bit-stream at a given bit-rate, resolution, and for given visual weights.