Abstract: A method of processing image data generated using an image capture device comprising a lens, the method comprising, generating metric data for a plurality of regions of an image, the data representing a plurality of focus measures for each region generated at a plurality of lens positions, processing the metric data in order to cluster regions into at least one group on the basis of their respective focus measures, and determining a lens position for a group corresponding to a position of true focus for the group.

Abstract: A method of digitally processing data for use in representing an image, comprising scaling edge data relating to edges in at least one colour-adjusted component of the image using unadjusted data relating to a colour-unadjusted component of the image, and a device operable in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A digital image capture apparatus is provided which is arranged to capture at least two images of a document and combine the images to produce a final image in which the effects of specular reflection and/or ambient light are removed. The apparatus includes a light source and a first image is captured with the source illuminating the document. A second ambient image is captured with the light source switched off, and the images are combined either by subtracting the ambient image from the first image or by replacing areas of the first image by corresponding areas of the ambient image.

Abstract: A method for automatic focus for an image capture device comprising a lens, the method comprising, for a first lens position, processing image data generated at a plurality of local focus positions of the lens in order to generate first metric data representing a focus measure for the first lens position, adjusting the lens position on the basis of the first metric data, and generating corresponding second metric data for at least one local focus position at the new lens position, and determining an estimated point of true focus for the lens on the basis of the first and second metric data.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment may be generally described as a method of digitally processing data representing at least part of an image, comprising applying a first color adjustment transform to data relating to a first range of spatial frequency of content of the image, the first transform adapted to constrain noise amplification, and applying a second color adjustment transform to data relating to a second range of spatial frequency of content of the image.

Abstract: Processing of a mosaic digital image includes interpolating values of a first color at pixels where the first color was not sampled. The interpolation of the first color value at a given pixel includes determining likelihoods of the given pixel belonging to the same region as each of at least two other pixels having sampled values of the first color. The other pixels are in different directions relative to the given pixel. The interpolation further includes using the likelihoods and the sampled values of the other pixels to interpolate the first color at the given pixel.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a full colour image from image mosaic data in particular where the image mosaic data is unequally weighted between different colours. The image mosaic is composed of a plurality of image pixels. Each image pixel has one of at least three colour values and has a luminance value representing the intensity of the colour value for that pixel in the image mosaic. The pixels of each colour value are interleaved across the image mosaic with pixels of different colour values to form the image mosaic. For each colour value, both a low spatial frequency monochrome image and a high spatial frequency luminance image are generated, the high spatial frequency luminance image extending only across pixels locations of the image mosaic for that colour value. Each of the high spatial frequency luminance images is then combined with a corresponding low spatial frequency monochrome image to form the full colour image.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a full colour image from an image mosaic composed of a plurality of image pixels that have one of at least three colour values. The pixels are interleaved in rows and columns across the mosaic with pixels of different colour values to form the mosaic in such a way that each row and column contains pixels of at least two colours. A high spatial frequency luminance image is generated from the mosaic that extends across all pixel locations of the image mosaic. The luminance values of pixels in the high frequency image are adjusted to reduce zippering effects. The adjustment is performed on pixels generated from a particular colour value at least in a first row and/or a first column of the high frequency luminance image according to the luminance values for said pixels and the luminance values of pixels generated from another colour value. A low spatial frequency luminance image is generated from the mosaic for each colour value.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a color plane in image mosaic data with correction for color aliasing artefacts, in particular where the image mosaic data is unequally weighted between different colors. The image mosaic is composed of a plurality of interleaved image pixels of at least three color values, each of which has a luminance value. Each row and column of the mosaic contains image pixels of at least two colors. An edge strength metric is assessed at locations in the image mosaic using at least two luminance values of the same color value to determine the strength of luminance changes and hence of detected edges at said locations. A low spatial frequency image is generated for each color value in which changes in luminance values are smoothed. The smoothing for each color value is in accordance with said edge strength metric so that smoothing at the locations of detected edges is inhibited.

Abstract: Voice-controlled apparatus is provided which minimises the risk of activating more than one such apparatus at a time where multiple voice-controlled apparatus exist in close proximity. To start voice control of the apparatus, a user needs to be looking at the apparatus when speaking. Preferably, after the user stops looking at the apparatus, continuing voice control can only be effected whilst the user continues speaking without breaks longer than a predetermined duration. Detection of whether the user is looking at the apparatus can be effected in a number of ways including by the use of camera systems, by a head-mounted directional transmitter, and by detecting the location and direction of facing of the user.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a color plane in image mosaic data with correction for color aliasing artifacts, in particular where the image mosaic data is unequally weighted between different colors. The image mosaic is composed of a plurality of interleaved image pixels (13,14,15) of at least three color values (16,17,18), each of which has a luminance value. Each row and column of the mosaic contains image pixels of at least two colors. An edge strength metric is assessed at locations in the image mosaic using at least two luminance values of the same color value to determine the strength of luminance changes and hence of detected edges at said locations. A low spatial frequency image (33,34,35) is generated for each color value (16,17,18) in which changes in luminance values are smoothed. The smoothing for each color value is in accordance with said edge strength metric so that smoothing at the locations of detected edges is inhibited.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a full color image (20) from an image mosaic (13,14,15) composed of a plurality of image pixels 23,24,25) that have one of at least three color values (16,17,18). The pixels are interleaved in rows and columns across the mosaic with pixels of different color values to form the mosaic in such a way that each row and column contains pixels of at least two colors. A high spatial frequency luminance image (30) is generated from the mosaic that extends across all pixel locations of the image mosaic. The luminance values of pixels (43,44,45) in the high frequency image (30) are adjusted (53,54,55) to reduce zippering effects. The adjustment is performed on pixels generated from a particular color value (16,17,18) at least in a first row and/or a first column of the high frequency luminance image (30) according to the luminance values for said pixels and the luminance values of pixels generated from another color value.

Abstract: This invention relates to the reconstruction of a full colour image from image mosaic data (13,14,15), in particular where the image mosaic data is unequally weighted between different colours. The image mosaic is composed of a plurality of image pixels (23,24,25). Each image pixel has one of at least three colour values (16,17,18) and has a luminance value representing the intensity of the colour value for that pixel in the image mosaic. The pixels (23,24,25) of each colour value (16,17,18) are interleaved across the image mosaic with pixels of different colour values to form the image mosaic. For each colour value (16,17,18), both a low spatial frequency monochrome image (33,34,35) and a high spatial frequency luminance image (43,44,45) are generated, the high spatial frequency luminance image extending only across pixels locations of the image mosaic for that colour value.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus is disclosed which includes a digital camera (101) having a detector (107), a light source 106 which illuminates a document (102) to be captured, a read out circuit (108) which captures an image of the document (102) from the detector (107) and a memory with accommodation calibration information. The captured image is processed together with the calibration information which is dependent upon the illumination of the light incident upon the document. The final image produced after applying the calibration information is substantially free of the effects of uneven illumination from the light source (106). A method of capturing an image from the apparatus is also disclosed. Optionally, the detector is a color detector and the calibration information is applied to the raw captured data prior to color plane reconstruction.

Abstract: A digital image capture apparatus is provided which is arranged to capture at least two images of a document and combine the images to produce a final image in which the effects of specular reflection and/or ambient light are removed. The apparatus includes a light source and a first image is captured with the source illuminating the document. A second ambient image is captured with the light source switched off, and the images are combined either by subtracting the ambient image from the first image or by replacing areas of the first image by corresponding areas of the ambient image.

Abstract: A face recognition and information system comprises a headset bearing a camera 10 which is used to capture images in the direction of a user's gaze. The images are processed and any faces in those images are identified from a database which may be held in control means 16. Once the face has been identified information relating to that person will be outputted through a visual display 14 or an earpiece 18 to unobtrusively provide information relating to the person identified.

Abstract: Voice-controlled apparatus is provided which minimises the risk of activating more than one such apparatus at a time where multiple voice-controlled apparatus exist in close proximity. To start voice control of the apparatus, a user needs to be looking at the apparatus when speaking. Preferably, after the user stops looking at the apparatus, continuing voice control can only be effected whilst the user continues speaking without breaks longer than a predetermined duration. Detection of whether the user is looking at the apparatus can be effected in a number of ways including by the use of camera systems, by a head-mounted directional transmitter, and by detecting the location and direction of facing of the user.

Abstract: Target viewing apparatus comprises a plurality of spaced electronic viewing cameras 15-18 for viewing a predetermined region 5 and for providing respective image signals, the field of view of at least two viewing cameras overlapping in at least a part of said region, identification means for identifying or detecting a target object within said part of said region, and control means (FIG. 6) responsive to said identifying means for selecting an image signal from a selected one of said at least two cameras, wherein said control means includes means for assessing the pose (attitude) of the target and selection means arranged for selecting the said one camera at least partly upon the assessed pose. The selected camera may be the one seeing a pose nearest to a predetermined pose, or to a pose determined by other parameters associated with the target and/or other parts of the region 5 whether or not determined in conjunction with a predetermined pose.