Data Responsive Intensity Control Patents (Class 345/20)
  • Patent number: 11954395
    Abstract: A modular display apparatus is provided. The modular display apparatus includes a plurality of display apparatuses, each of which includes a plurality of pixels; a storage configured to store a plurality of gain sets, each of which includes gain values respectively corresponding to a plurality of power loads; and a processor configured to: identify a gain set from among the plurality of gain sets based on a resolution of the modular display apparatus; transmit the gain set to the plurality of display apparatuses; receive a plurality of gain values which respectively correspond to power loads for the plurality of display apparatuses to display an image from the plurality of display apparatuses; and transmit a gain value from among the plurality of gain values to the plurality of display apparatuses. Each of the plurality of display apparatuses is configured to display the image by driving a plurality of light-emitting devices of the plurality of pixels based on the gain value received from the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joohyun Lee, Junhyung Shin, Jiyong Park, Seongkoo Cheong
  • Patent number: 11688362
    Abstract: Provided are a display method and a display apparatus capable of appropriately displaying a video on a display in a finder while considering user's convenience. In an embodiment of the invention, video data is acquired by imaging under ambient light, display data based on the video data is created, and a display video corresponding to the display data is displayed on the display in the finder. Then, in a case where intensity of the ambient light is equal to or greater than a first threshold value, lightness of the display video displayed on the display in the finder is made brighter than lightness of a first standard video or in a case where the intensity of the ambient light is equal to or less than a second threshold value, the lightness of the display video displayed on the display in the finder is made darker than lightness of a second standard video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kosuke Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11675073
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight, high resolution portable ultrasound system using components and methods to improve connectivity and ease of use. A preferred embodiment includes an integrated system in which the beamformer control circuitry can be inserted into the host computer as a peripheral or within the processor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Teratech Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Brodsky, Alice M. Chiang, David Christopher Maurer, William M. Wong
  • Patent number: 11488532
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels, a sensing circuit to measure a sensing current value of each of the pixels during a frame period, wherein the frame period includes an active period and a blank period following the active period, and a driving controller to calculate a deterioration weight based on the sensing current value and a reference current value, and to generate output image data by applying the deterioration weight to input image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jaehoon Lee, Byoungkwan An
  • Patent number: 11017116
    Abstract: A method of securely integrating device data from an external device with a user device may include implementing a local data call function of a remote application through a native application of the user device such that the remote application receives device data without the device data being permanently stored on the user device; validating the device data with the remote application according to data elements of the device data and a first set of local fields; requesting a first authorization to integrate the device data; associating a first data control element with the data elements according to a first request result; requesting a second authorization to integrate the device data; and populating storage fields that are maintained by a backend and associated with the first control data element, with the data elements according to a second request result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: ONSITE HEALTH DIAGNOSTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Riddle, Steve Staneff
  • Patent number: 10542179
    Abstract: There is herein described a method and apparatus for the calibration and validation of motion picture scans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: iMetafilm
    Inventor: Michael Howell
  • Patent number: 10305869
    Abstract: Methods and systems for directly and securely transferring encrypted medical data between two remote locations, such as an imaging site and a diagnostic site, wherein the diagnostic site is not within a data transfer network utilized by the imaging site. The invention allows the diagnostic site to receive medical data and view the data using a thin client viewer, and allows the diagnostic site to register as an in-network site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MEDICOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Rosenberg, Malcolm Benitz, Chase Ballard, Jason Suttles, Chris Woodlief
  • Patent number: 10013905
    Abstract: An image whose visibility has been more suitably improved is obtained. The device includes an image input unit which inputs an image, an image processing unit which performs Retinex processing with respect to the input image input by the image input unit and performs image signal generation to generate a new image signal based on information concerning a color of the input image and information of an absolute value or Y-value of a color space vector of the image signal having undergone the Retinex processing, and a display unit which displays an image based on the image signal having undergone image processing by the image processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Nakajima, Nobuhiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9921303
    Abstract: Provided are an object detection apparatus and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9922616
    Abstract: A display controller includes a local contrast enhancement circuit that includes a plurality of scale circuits. Each scale circuit includes a block separation circuit configured to divide input display data into sub blocks, a calculation circuit configured to calculate a feature value that characterizes each of the sub blocks, and a storage device configured to store the feature value. The number and size of the sub blocks differ among the scale circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Ho Yang, Miaofeng Wang, Ho Seok Shin
  • Patent number: 9778102
    Abstract: A method for adjusting an ambient light sensor includes: acquiring a color temperature of light received by the ambient light sensor; and adjusting an output light intensity of the ambient light sensor according to the color temperature to enable output light intensities of the ambient light sensor to be consistent under received light with different color temperatures. The ambient light sensor includes: an acquiring device, configured to acquire a color temperature of light received by the ambient light sensor; and an adjuster, configured to adjust an output light intensity of the ambient light sensor according to the color temperature acquired by the acquiring device to enable output light intensities of the ambient light sensor to be consistent under received light with different color temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: HUAWEI DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Leilei Pang
  • Patent number: 9728117
    Abstract: Tone and/or gamut mapping apparatus and methods may be applied to map color values in image data for display on a particular display or other downstream device. A mapping algorithm may be selected based on location and/or color coordinates for pixel data being mapped. The apparatus and methods may be configured to map color coordinates differently depending on whether or not a pixel corresponds to a light source in an image and/or has special or reserved color values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventor: Neil W. Messmer
  • Patent number: 9568527
    Abstract: A proximity switch assembly and method for detecting activation of a proximity switch assembly is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of proximity switches each having a proximity sensor providing a sense activation field and control circuitry processing the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation. The control circuitry controls the activation field of each proximity switch to sense activation, monitors signals indicative of the activation field, and determines a first stable signal amplitude and a subsequent second signal amplitude, and generates an activation output when the second stable signal amplitude exceeds the first stable amplitude by a known amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Dipanjan Ghosh, Khaled Omar, James Stewart Rankin, II
  • Patent number: 9324278
    Abstract: Techniques for operating a display system in a wide range of ambient light conditions are provided. An intensity of ambient light on a display panel may be detected. The display panel may be illuminated by light sources in addition to the ambient light. An individual light source may be individually settable to an individual light output level. If it is determined that the luminance level of the ambient light is above a minimum ambient luminance threshold, an ambient black level may be calculated using the intensity of ambient light. Light output levels of one or more of the light sources may be elevated to first light output levels. Here, the one or more light sources may be designated to illuminate one or more dark portions of an image. The first light output levels may create a new black level equaling the determined ambient black level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Ajit Ninan, Wenhui Jia
  • Patent number: 9253374
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of obtaining a gamma characteristic (non-linear conversion characteristic) giving consideration to a difference between light and dark parts in a subject region is provided along with a method for controlling the same. A value indicating the difference between light and dark parts in the subject region is calculated based on image data. Then, by interpolating multiple basic gamma characteristics using the value indicating the difference between light and dark parts, a gamma characteristic depending on the difference between light and dark parts is generated and applied to the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9235878
    Abstract: The invention described here provides a novel method of preventing the loss of focus and range of colors when digital image files are expanded to a larger size. Unlike interpolation algorithms and algorithms using Fourier analysis to create new pixels, the present system uses a combination of pseudo-randomizing functions and user controlled edge detection to enhance edges initially softened by expansion using interpolation algorithms. The resulting images can be optimized to provide a superior approximation to what would be an accurate photographic representation at the larger image size. Furthermore, the flexibility in edge detection sensitivity allows the operator to strongly mitigate the structural artifacts produced by lossy compression algorithms such as the jpeg system and sampling errors widespread in very small images. As a result files as small as 200 kilobytes can be effectively expanded to 250 or even 500 megabytes in many cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Inventor: Allen Gene Hirsh
  • Patent number: 9230497
    Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device having a configuration in which one pixel is divided into a plurality of sub pixels, low power consumption is realized by reducing an amplitude of a video signal. In each pixel formation portion, an amplification circuit unit including a second-capacitor is provided between a dark display pixel electrode and a bright display pixel electrode. A selection period consists of a precharge period and an amplification period. In the precharge period, a potential of a control wiring is applied to the dark display pixel electrode, and a potential of a video signal line is applied to the bright display pixel electrode. In the amplification period, a potential of the video signal line is applied to the dark display pixel electrode in the state where the bright display pixel electrode is placed in a floating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kohhei Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9105202
    Abstract: A mirror assembly mountable to a wall, the mirror asembly includes a mirror platform having a front surface and a rear surface and a chassis, the chassis is engageable with the mirror platform to define a mirror assembly interior. The chassis is mountable to the wall, and the chassis has an outer edge section. The outer edge section further includes a plurality of areas, the plurality of areas permits light radiated from the mirror assembly interior to illuminate the surroundings of the mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRIC MIRROR, LLC
    Inventor: James V. Mischel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9053294
    Abstract: The invention provides the ability to produce long, complex passwords from simple, easy to recall, pictorial selections. The invention features a picture based interface unit, linked to a series of individual process modules. Selecting images contained in the image selection module generates a reference pointer corresponding to coordinates in the reference pointer of the control module which thereby generates a rotor sequence that is passed to the password generator module containing ASCII characters groups. The character groups are processed according to the rotor sequence contents to produce a password that is displayed in a display module for editing and/or use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Vance Burkill
  • Patent number: 8922544
    Abstract: A method for characterizing and eliminating the effect of propagation delay on data and monitor lines of AMOLED panels is introduced. A similar technique may be utilized to cancel the effect of incomplete settling of select lines that control the write and read switches of pixels on a row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ignis Innovation Inc.
    Inventors: Gholamreza Chaji, Yaser Azizi
  • Patent number: 8891899
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for approximating vertical and horizontal correction values in a pixel value correction calculation. Multiple vertical and/or horizontal correction curves are used and may be employed for one or more color channels of the imager. The use of multiple correction curves allows for a more accurate approximation of the correction curves for image pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Michael Hunter
  • Patent number: 8890908
    Abstract: A calibration system may be provided for calibrating displays in electronic devices during manufacturing. The calibration system may include calibration computing equipment and a test chamber having a light sensor. The calibration computing equipment may be configured to operate the light sensor and the display to gather display intensity performance data for obtaining a display gamma model. The display intensity performance data may be gathered using a range of display control settings that will be used in performing color calibration operations for the display. The calibration computing equipment may be configured to operate the light sensor and the display to gather display color performance data for determining a display white point calibration. Display white point calibration data may be provided to the electronic device and stored in volatile or non-volatile memory in the device or may be permanently stored in circuitry associated with the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jiaying Wu, Gabriel Marcu, Wei Chen, Hopil Bae, Cheng Chen, Ye Yin, Anuj Bhatnagar
  • Patent number: 8861887
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a shading correction unit. The shading correction unit executes at least one of the use of shading correction parameters calculated in accordance with exposure information for capturing a subject image and the adjustment of a center position in a two-dimensional direction which is used as the basis of the shading correction in accordance with the exposure information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shiroshi Kanemitsu, Kazuhiro Tabuchi, Takaaki Kawakami
  • Patent number: 8824828
    Abstract: A method of fusing two images includes adjusting contrast of (a) a visual image and (b) a thermal image. Also included is modifying the adjusted contrast of the thermal image to form output brightness levels, by using a transformation curve, and then displaying both (a) the brightness levels of the thermal image and (b) the adjusted contrast of the visual image. Modifying the adjusted contrast of the thermal image includes using a V-curve as the transformation curve, in which the V-curve includes similar maximum output brightness levels at the coldest and hottest relative temperatures, respectively. The V-curve also includes a minimum output brightness level at a midpoint between the coldest and hottest relative temperatures. Furthermore, the method assigns different hues to the intensity values of the thermal image, ranging from coldest to hottest relative temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart Martin Winn
  • Patent number: 8780106
    Abstract: A computer is used to create a plan for repositioning an orthodontic patient's teeth. The computer receives an initial digital data set representing the patient's teeth at their initial positions and a final digital data set representing the teeth at their final positions. The computer then uses the data sets to generate treatment paths along which teeth will move from the initial positions to the final positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Chishti, Andrew Beers, Huafeng Wen, Phillips Alexander Benton
  • Patent number: 8711187
    Abstract: A definition control method and an image display device using the same are provided. The definition control method includes displaying a first pattern and a second pattern, inputting a control value, and changing a display state of the first pattern according to the input control value, wherein a display state of the second pattern is not changed by the control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Jin Park, Mun-Sik Bae, Il-Gun Kwon
  • Patent number: 8538191
    Abstract: An image correction apparatus and method for eliminating a lighting component are provided. A photographed original image is divided into a plurality of block units to calculate a representative brightness value of each of the divided block units. A background image having the size of the original image is generated using the calculated brightness value and interpolation. A lighting component is extracted from the background image and a lighting component included in the original image is eliminated using the extracted lighting component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Hyeon Kim, Hee-Bum Ahn, Seong-Taek Hwang
  • Patent number: 8494303
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for automatically improving the contrast of an input image that is obtained from a digital camera or the like, and obtaining a sharper and clearing image. A contrast improvement unit performs a contrast improvement process on the input image by comparing an object pixel in the input image with pixels in the surrounding area. An image combination unit combines the enhanced image obtained by the contrast improvement process with the input image. The combined image is then output to a desired device such as a printer by an image output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsumi Watanabe, Akio Kojima, Yasuhiro Kuwahara, Yusuke Monobe, Toshiharu Kurosawa, Hirotaka Oku
  • Patent number: 8488901
    Abstract: A video input signal is analyzed to detect image content and image properties, wherein detecting the image content includes automatically deriving image features. A content group is determined for the video input signal based on the detected image content, the content group including predefined image properties. The image properties of the video input signal are adjusted based on a difference between the detected image properties and the predefined image properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Berestov, Chuen-Chien Lee
  • Patent number: 8478066
    Abstract: An image-correction method is realized, in which, by utilizing a table having small storage area, high-accuracy shading correction can be implemented, that does not undergo deterioration of performance, even when shading properties dynamically change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeo Fujita, Narihiro Matoba
  • Patent number: 8472713
    Abstract: There is provided an image processor for processing input image data having a luminance component and other components, which are defined in a prescribed color space. The image processor includes: a first emphasis processor configured to process first image data so as to emphasize the contrast of the first image data in accordance with a first emphasis amount, wherein the first image data correspond to the luminance component of the input image data; a second emphasis processor configured to process second image data so as to emphasize the chroma of the second image data in accordance with the first emphasis amount, wherein the second image data correspond to said other components of the input image data; and an image data generator configured to generate new image data by combining the contrast-emphasized first image data and the chroma-emphasized second image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshitsugu Manabe
  • Patent number: 8463068
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses are disclosed for approximating vertical and horizontal correction values in a pixel value correction calculation. Multiple vertical and/or horizontal correction curves are used and may be employed for one or more color channels of the imager. The use of multiple correction curves allows for a more accurate approximation of the correction curves for image pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Michael Hunter
  • Patent number: 8452109
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, assembling a feature vector for the image file, the feature vector containing information regarding a likelihood that a selected pair of regions of the image file are of a same intrinsic characteristic, for example, a same texture, providing a classifier derived from a computer learning technique, computing a classification score for the selected pair of regions of the image file, as a function of the feature vector and the classifier and classifying the regions as being of the same intrinsic characteristic, as a function of the classification score.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Alldrin, Kshitiz Garg, Andrew Neil Stein, Kristin Jean Dana, Bruce Allen Maxwell, Casey Arthur Smith, Youngrock Yoon, Besma Roui Abidi
  • Patent number: 8452122
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an assumed deteriorated image pixel value computing unit configured to calculate a pixel value of an assumed deteriorated image, wherein deterioration of a target image configured of multiple channels is assumed, for each of the channels as an assumed deteriorated image pixel value; a pseudo target image pixel value computing unit configured to calculate, regarding a pixel of interest that is a pixel of the target image corresponding to the assumed deteriorated image, a pixel value estimated for each of the channels as a pseudo target image pixel value for each of the channels based on the pixel values of the pixel of interest, and pixels adjacent thereto; and a restored image creating unit configured to create a restored image restored from the target image based on the calculated assumed deteriorated image pixel value and the calculated pseudo target image pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporartion
    Inventors: Yasunobu Hitomi, Tomoo Mitsunaga
  • Patent number: 8428390
    Abstract: A “Blur Remover” provides various techniques for constructing deblurred images from a sequence of motion-blurred images such as a video sequence of a scene. Significantly, this deblurring is accomplished without requiring specialized side information or camera setups. In fact, the Blur Remover receives sequential images, such as a typical video stream captured using conventional digital video capture devices, and directly processes those images to generate or construct deblurred images for use in a variety of applications. No other input beyond the video stream is required for a variety of the embodiments enabled by the Blur Remover. More specifically, the Blur Remover uses joint global motion estimation and multi-frame deblurring with optional automatic video “duty cycle” estimation to construct deblurred images from video sequences for use in a variety of applications. Further, the automatically estimated video duty cycle is also separately usable in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Yunpeng Li, Sing Bing Kang, Neel Suresh Joshi, Steven Maxwell Seitz
  • Patent number: 8421719
    Abstract: A driving circuit includes digital/current converting (DCC) circuits one for each data line. The DCC circuit charges a capacitor with a reference current according to a supplied signal from a shift register. The DCC circuit stores a current value of the reference current and outputs the current value to a data line via a switching element turned on by a digital image data signal of a single line supplied from a line latch. The output value of each DCC circuit is reset one after another in every select scan period in which an OFF signal is sent to all the data lines. Thus, the reset of the output value and the output of the image data signal can be successively carried out within one frame period, so the data applied to the pixel circuit with the DCC circuits one for each data line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Senda, Akira Tagawa
  • Patent number: 8411992
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: an estimated plane calculation portion calculating, for inputted image data, estimated planes defined by luminance values in blocks each containing a predetermined number of pixels including a reference pixel; an optimal estimated plane selection portion selecting an optimal estimated plane having a least summation of errors between luminance values of respective pixels in a block and an estimated plane among the estimated planes; a weighting factor calculation portion calculating a weighting factor for the reference pixel base on luminance values of the reference pixel and in the optimal estimated plane; and a weighted smoothing portion computing a sum of products of relative luminance differences between the luminance values of the respective pixels in the block and in the optimal estimated plane and the weighting factor for the reference pixel and adding a luminance value in the optimal estimated plane at a reference pixel position to a result of computation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiro Hamada, Nobuhiro Tsunashima
  • Patent number: 8411987
    Abstract: A method of enhancing a contrast and an apparatus for enhancing a contrast are provided. The method of enhancing the contrast includes: dividing an image into a plurality of blocks and calculating an average luminance value of each block; interpolating a peripheral luminance value for each input pixel of the image by using the average luminance value; and enhancing the contrast of the input pixel by using the interpolated peripheral luminance value of the input pixel and a unique luminance value of the input pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Ran Han, Seung Sin Lee, Du-Sik Park
  • Patent number: 8406563
    Abstract: A photometric calibration method includes: obtaining a target image and a reference image by a light field camera and transforming the reference image into a revised target image corresponding to the target image; calculating a photometric calibration ratio according to a function for correlating the target image and the revised target image by using a numerical algorithm; and the intensity of the target image is divided by the photometric calibration ratio to obtain a calibrated target image. A light field of a scene is formed by all of the calibrated target image so as to improve the quality of the light field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Chia-Kai Liang, Homer H. Chen, Bing-Yi Wong, Gene Liu
  • Patent number: 8379047
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for simulating bristle brush behavior in an image editing application. User input may represent a stroke made by a paintbrush comprising multiple bristles sweeping across a canvas. The application may calculate a per-bristle opacity value using an exponential function dependent on a target opacity value for the brush stroke and an expected number of overlapping bristles during the brush stroke. The per-bristle opacity value may be used to determine per-bristle effects of the deposition of paint on the color and/or opacity values of the canvas pixels affected by the brush stroke as these per-bristle effects are composited to determine the cumulative effect of the brush stroke. The per-bristle opacity value may be calculated based on the brush orientation or position, direction of the stroke, number of bristles, type or shape of the brush tool, and/or pressure applied to the brush tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen J. DiVerdi
  • Patent number: 8320701
    Abstract: A smoothing filter generates a smoothed picture by smoothing a brightness component of an input picture. An adjustment filter generates an adjusted picture by applying a filter to an area of the input picture. The filter has the same characteristic as the smoothing filter. The area has a brightness matched with a predetermined condition of noise detection. A contrast component calculation unit calculates a contrast component of the input picture by dividing each pixel value of the adjusted picture with a corresponding pixel value of the smoothed picture. An output picture generation unit generates an output picture by multiplying the smoothed picture with the contrast component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuyasu Ohwaki, Goh Itoh
  • Patent number: 8294729
    Abstract: Methods of performing stroke-to-raster video conversion having leading-edge error correction and/or falling-edge error correction are provided. Incoming data is pipelined before being written into a frame buffer. This allows each sample of data to be manipulated based on information obtained in samples that occur both before and after it. Highly accurate digital conversion of stroke video into a raster format having significantly reduced or eliminated noise and stray pixels from the video is therefore achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Scram Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Rodgers, Michael Covitt
  • Patent number: 8270753
    Abstract: An image processing device includes: a saturated area extraction unit that extracts a saturated area corresponding to a saturated pixel from an image expressed by a color component signal of a predetermined color system corresponding to a pixel; a color information acquisition unit that acquires color information from a color component signal corresponding to a pixel contained in an area in contact with the saturated area of the image; and a color component signal modification unit that modifies a color component signal of a pixel in the saturated area so that color information on the saturated pixel contained in the saturated area approaches the color information acquired by the color information acquisition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Doida, Hideaki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8229240
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for changing the look of an image. In some implementations a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes decomposing a first image using a first plurality of wavelet transforms, each first wavelet transform creating a first transformation resolution, each first transformation resolution having respective first data, and decomposing a second image using a second plurality of wavelet transforms, each second wavelet transform creating a second transformation resolution, each second transformation resolution having respective second data. The method also includes determining a first measure of texture for each first transformation resolution's respective data, applying each first transformation resolution's first measure of texture to each corresponding second transformation resolution's data, and recomposing the second image based on the modified second transformation resolutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Anubha Rastogi, Balaji Krishnamurthy
  • Patent number: 8165419
    Abstract: A histogram stretching apparatus and a histogram stretching method are disclosed to enhance image contrast by stretching a histogram of an input image within a range of a preset maximum expansion level and a preset minimum expansion level. The histogram stretching apparatus performs proper stretching suitable for a characteristic of the input image in due consideration of a saturation portion and a distribution range of a histogram of the input image. The histogram stretching apparatus can improve stretching effects by removing the saturated portion of the input image, and can prevent image distortion even for a monochromatic image. The histogram apparatus can improve histogram stretching effects by adjusting entire image levels of an image having a histogram frequency distribution skewed to a dark or bright side before a stretching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung Joong Min, Hak Sun Kim, Won Tae Choi
  • Patent number: 8144078
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling brightness, color and contrast in CRT monitors used in information handling systems. In accordance with the present invention, a viewing area on a CRT monitor is enhanced by applying appropriate signals directly to the grids in the CRT. In one embodiment of the present invention, appropriate voltage signals are applied to the G1 grid of the CRT. Parameter data is provided to the CRT using a DDC2/CI data channel, with the parameter data being based on the VESA MCCS command set. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to achieve significantly greater brightness, color and contrast control in enhanced viewing areas displayed on a CRT monitor used in an information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Joseph Edgar Goodart
  • Patent number: 8139059
    Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying an image as a virtual representation of an object based upon detected external light are described. An illustrative computer-implemented method includes steps of detecting the ambient light of an environment, such as a room, at a display surface. Data representative of the detected ambient light is processed to determine a direction of the detected light with respect to the display surface. An image is displayed on the display surface as a virtual representation of an object based upon the detected ambient light. Shadowing affects may be displayed to create the appearance that the virtual representation of the object casts a shadow on the display surface. Physical objects placed against or near to the surface of the display surface may also have images displayed on the display surface corresponding to shadows created by the ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Forrest Trepte
  • Patent number: 8139856
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus, a computer readable medium and the like in which a dither effect in a neighborhood of a highlight area can be obtained easily and certainly. For this purpose, an image processing apparatus includes an inputting unit which inputs a pixel signal group representing a field image, an averaging unit (21-2 and 21-3) which performs a processing having an averaging effect among the pixel signal group input by the inputting unit, and an irregularizing unit (21-4) which irregularizes mutually continuous signal-values at least near a saturated level among the pixel signal group after having been processed by the averaging unit, into discontinuous signal-values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yuko Hattori, Tsutomu Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 8098953
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for automatically improving the contrast of an input image that is obtained from a digital camera or the like, and obtaining a sharper and clearing image. A contrast improvement unit performs a contrast improvement process on the input image by comparing an object pixel in the input image with pixels in the surrounding area. An image combination unit combines the enhanced image obtained by the contrast improvement process with the input image. The combined image is then output to a desired device such as a printer by an image output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsumi Watanabe, Akio Kojima, Yasuhiro Kuwahara, Yusuke Monobe, Toshiharu Kurosawa, Hirotaka Oku
  • Patent number: 7881555
    Abstract: A system and method to reduce bright burn in images, such as x-ray images. The reduction of bright burn may be accomplished by processing a received raw image to obtain a grey-value histogram. The raw image may be divided into a plurality of regions of interest, and an average signal of each region of interest is calculated. Regions of interest are identified as bright burn candidates based on a predetermined function of the average signal of each region of interest and the grey-value histogram of the entire raw image. The regions of interest may be analyzed for local connectivity to estimate bright burn areas. An image with reduced bright burn is generated by either automatically adjusting a physical wedge filter position based on the bright burn areas, or by adaptively reducing a signal level of the bright burn areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Spahn