Gray Scale Transformation (e.g., Gamma Correction) Patents (Class 348/254)
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Patent number: 7999822Abstract: In order to obtain colorimetric data close to the color appearance under an actual viewing condition, a plurality of conversion data for converting colorimetric data measured under the first geometric condition of colorimetry into that measured under the second geometric condition of colorimetry are held, and the information of a viewing illuminant and colorimetric data measured under the first geometric condition of colorimetry are obtained. Conversion data which corresponds to the information of the viewing illuminant is interpolated from the plurality of conversion data which are held. The colorimetric data measured under the first geometric condition of colorimetry is converted into that measured under the second geometric condition of colorimetry using the interpolated conversion data.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toshiyuki Ishii
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Patent number: 7995070Abstract: In order to obtain an excellent color processing result by calculating an optimal white point in partial adaptation, first white point data which indicates white of a device is input, the first white point data is projected onto a predetermined curve, and white point data in the partial adaptation located on the predetermined curve is calculated using the projected first white point data and the second white point data located on the predetermined curve. Color processing of input color data is performed using the white point data in the partial adaptation, which is corrected in accordance with the positional relationship between the first white point data and projected first white point data, and the color reproduction characteristics of the device.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kosei Takahashi
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Patent number: 7995135Abstract: In an image capturing apparatus, a hue shift is prevented. A digital camera has a gray level correction function. Image data obtained with a CCD 10 is divided into a plurality of blocks and further has brightness data and color difference data converted in a brightness/color difference conversion section 20. When it is determined, based on the color difference data, that image data includes blue sky image or that chroma of the image data is high, an image processing exposure compensation adjustment/exposure correction amount calculation section 30 sets an underexposure value, which is employed when capturing images with an exposure value being lower than a correct exposure value, to be smaller than a default value to prevent a hue shift caused by gray level correction performed by a gray level correction section 32.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventor: Tetsuji Uezono
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Patent number: 7995120Abstract: An apparatus and a method of smoothing the brightness of an image photographed in an image sensor without amplifying a noise component of a surrounding part of the image are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Mtekvision Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yo-Hwan Noh
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Publication number: 20110187905Abstract: Provided are an auto focus adjusting device, method, and a recording medium storing a program product for executing the auto focusing method. The method includes: deriving an input image from an image capturing device by changing a position of a focus lens; deriving a gamma correction image by applying a gamma curve to the input image; and deriving an auto focus (AF) value about a position of a focus lens through the gamma correction image.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2011Publication date: August 4, 2011Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Sugimoto, Sung-shik Ko, Jin-ok Ha
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Patent number: 7990443Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes: an image sensing device for sensing light representing a subject image; a first component extractor for extracting a first component having a predetermined frequency out of a photographic image obtained by the image sensing device; a second component extractor for extracting a second component having a frequency higher than the frequency of the first component out of the photographic image; a compressor for compressing a dynamic range of the first component extracted by the first component extractor with a predetermined compression ratio; an image generator for generating an image based on a compressed first component obtained by compressing the dynamic range of the first component by the compressor, and the second component extracted by the second component extractor; and a compression correction coefficient calculator for calculating a compression correction coefficient used in compressing the first component, using the second component extracted by the second componentType: GrantFiled: August 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.Inventors: Tetsuya Katagiri, Koichi Kamon
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Patent number: 7990392Abstract: White balancing is performed using a mapping that maps the visible gamut's boundary into itself. A predefined color Win is mapped into a color Wout which is a white color or a color perceived as white under some viewing conditions. If Sin is some other color, a corresponding color Pin is determined on the visible gamut's boundary. Pin can be on the intersection of the visible gamut's boundary with a plane containing Sin and Win in a linear color coordinate system. Sin is mapped into a color Sout obtained from Wout and a value of the mapping on Pin.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: KWE International, Inc.Inventor: Sergey N. Bezryadin
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Patent number: 7986853Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which obtains a synthesized image whose exposure is corrected by synthesizing a first image and a second image, is disclosed. The image processing apparatus comprises a detection section which detects an amount of displacement of the second image with respect to the first image which is a reference image, a coordinate conversion section which performs coordinate conversion to the second image so as to conform to the first image, and a synthesis section which synthesizes the second image having been subjected to the coordinate conversion with the first image.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Koichi Washisu
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Patent number: 7986356Abstract: A method of determining a gamma curve of a display device includes identifying a region of interest of a display surface of the display device. A centroid of the region of interest is calculated. A plurality of input levels is applied to the display device to generate a corresponding plurality of displayed images on the display surface. At least one image of each of the displayed images is captured with a camera. A gamma curve of the display device is calculated based on the captured images and the centroid.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Nelson Liang An Chang, Niranjan Damera-Venkata
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Patent number: 7986355Abstract: A picture displaying method is disclosed. In the picture displaying method, a first picture is displayed. A luminance distribution chart which represents a distribution of luminance levels of the first picture is displayed. A first luminance level and a second luminance level are selected on the luminance distribution chart. The second luminance level is higher than the first luminance level. Input and output characteristics defined by the first luminance level and the second luminance level are changed to correct a gradation of the first picture and obtain the second picture. The first picture changes to the second picture and the second picture is displayed.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Kazuhiro Nozawa
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Patent number: 7982744Abstract: An image processing device outputs four-color image data to a display section, the display section performing display using display pixels each composed of four sub-pixels, and having an arrangement of the display pixels in which a pixel arrangement in an even line of a scan lines and a pixel arrangement in an odd line of the scan lines are shifted a half pitch of the display pixels from each other, and the image processing device includes a color conversion section which obtains three-color image data and converts the three-color image data into first four-color image data while maintaining the number of display pixels in the three-color image data, a conversion section which generates second four-color image data by performing an interpolation process on the first four-color image data based on a relationship between a position of a sub-pixel in the first four-color image data and a position of a sub-pixel in the display section, and an output section which outputs the second four-color image data to the diType: GrantFiled: January 3, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Hidekuni Moriya, Takumi Aragaki
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Patent number: 7978203Abstract: A method for color grading within a component color space associated with a display includes receiving a source image comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel is associated with a color comprising a plurality of color component values in the component color space, wherein the component color space comprises RGB, and wherein a pixel is associated with a color inside a gamut of the display but outside a gamut of a target media, receiving a color grading signal from a user, modifying the color associated with the pixel from the plurality of pixels in response to the color grading signal, to form a graded image comprising the pixel, wherein the pixel is associated with a graded color comprising a plurality of color component values, displaying the graded image on the display to the user, automatically performing a gamut remapping of the graded color associated with the pixel, to form a gamut remapped image comprising the pixel, wherein the pixel is associated with a gamut remapped color comprising a pType: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: PixarInventors: Rod Bogart, Rick Sayre
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Patent number: 7969448Abstract: A method of converting image signals for a display device including six-color subpixels is provided, which includes: classifying three-color input image signals into maximum, middle, and minimum; decomposing the classified signals into six-color components; determining a maximum among the six-color components; calculating a scaling factor; and extracting six-color output signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2004Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Young-Chol Yang, Seong-Deok Lee, Chang-Yeong Kim, Mun-Pyo Hong, Nam-Seok Roh, Won-Hee Choe, Hyun-Wook Ok, Ho-Young Lee, Du-Sik Park, Keun-Kyu Song
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Patent number: 7965302Abstract: The invention provides a Gamma conversion system applied on a source of image pixel data. Each image pixel data in the source of image pixel data has an M-bit pixel value with a first Gamma exponent. The Gamma conversion system comprises a storage module, a processing module, and a selecting module. The storage module therein stores I look-up tables. The processing module is respectively coupled to the source of image pixel data and the storage module, and the processing module comprises I converting modules, each of the converting modules corresponds to one look-up table. The selecting module is coupled to the source of image pixel data and the processing module respectively, and generates a selection signal according to the M-bit pixel value. In response to the selection signal, the processing module assigns one of the converting modules to convert the M-bit pixel value into an N-bit pixel value with a second Gamma exponent according to the look-up table corresponding to the assigned converting module.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.Inventors: Hsin-Hung Lee, Yu-Hsiang Huang, Yu-Wen Huang, Wan-Ching Lee
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Patent number: 7965300Abstract: Elements of the present invention relate to systems and methods for determining device white point and gamma correction curve characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.Inventor: Xiao-Fan Feng
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Patent number: 7965301Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for color conversion of a digital image. The digital image comprises a source set of pixels. A perceptual distance may be determined between the source set of pixels and a respective destination set of pixels for each of a plurality of rendering intents. A rendering intent corresponding to the smallest perceptual distance may be selected automatically. The source set of pixels may be converted to an output set of pixels using the selected rendering intent.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Adobe Systems IncorporatedInventor: Chintan Intwala
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Publication number: 20110141326Abstract: This invention has been made to solve the problem that when a duplicated image is generated by capturing an original image using a digital camera and printing the captured image, lighting unevenness occurs in an image captured under a viewing light source, compared to that under flash light with a predetermined irradiation amount, and accurate color conversion cannot be performed. To solve this problem, pixels exhibiting identical colors are selected from a plurality of positions from the image captured under flash light. The positions of the corresponding pixels are selected from the image captured under the viewing light source. If the color values at the pixel positions differ, the influence of lighting unevenness in the viewing light source exists. Thus, shading correction data for the image captured under a viewing light source is generated so as to remove the shading of the image captured under the viewing light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yuki Ishida
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Publication number: 20110133510Abstract: A system and method for detecting a sun-shade line on a vehicle driver's face so as to automatically position a sun blocker at the appropriate location to block the sun. The method includes providing a detected image of the vehicle driver using, for example, a camera. A saturation analysis is performed on the detected image to generate a saturation image that includes bright dots and dark dots as a binary image. The method then performs a region enhancement of the saturation image to filter the saturation image. A histogram analysis is performed on the filtered saturation image to generate a graph that identifies a count of the bright dots in the image on a row-by-row basis. The method then performs a sharp change analysis on the graph to identify the largest transition from a row with the most dark dots to a row with the most bright dots to identify the sun-shade line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: Wende Zhang
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Patent number: 7956867Abstract: In accordance with the disclosure, a method is provided for processing color images for rendering on a color image. The method comprises receiving a plurality of device color separations for an image intended for rendering on a color image device; forming at least one intermediate image by interleaving pixels from at least two of the device color separations, compressing the at least one intermediate image in a compression module; decompressing the at least one intermediate image in a decompression module; processing the at least one decompressed intermediate image through a multidimensional calibration transform to output a calibrated device color separation; and, the device color separations include at least three colors.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Raja Bala, Vishal Monga
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Patent number: 7956923Abstract: A mobile terminal has an image corrector which includes a comparator for receiving a first image signal photographed by a camera in a camera mode and a second image signal displayed in a normal mode, and for comparing them with a reference signal to generate a deviation signal, and a corrector for receiving the deviation signal from the comparator, and for supplying the first or second image signal, in which white balancing and gamma are corrected, in response to the deviation signal so that luminance and white balance of the first image signal displayed in the camera mode become equal to or similar to luminance and white balance of the second image signal displayed in the normal mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.Inventor: Eun-Jung Oh
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Patent number: 7952622Abstract: An imaging method is provided. The imaging method includes the steps of: carrying out a nonlinear correction on an imaging signal obtained from an image sensor where imaging light is converted into an imaging signal; adding a predetermined number of frames of the imaging signal with the nonlinear correction per frame; carrying out control for appropriately setting each of the correction characteristic of the nonlinear correction in the case of carrying out no frame addition and the correction characteristic of the nonlinear correction in the case of carrying out a frame addition; and selectively outputting either the imaging signal with the frame addition or the imaging signal without the frame addition.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Takashi Kameyama
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Patent number: 7944466Abstract: An endoscope apparatus comprises: an endoscope comprising an imaging device that forms a color image signal of a body to be observed; a storage portion that stores matrix data for forming a spectral image based on the color image signal; a spectral image-forming circuit that conducts matrix calculation based on the color image signal by using the matrix data of the storage portion and forms at least one spectral image signal each of which corresponds to an arbitrarily selected wavelength range; and an amplifier circuit that amplifies said at least one spectral image signal formed by the spectral image-forming circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Fujinon CorporationInventors: Kazunori Abe, Shinji Takeuchi, Daisuke Ayame
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Patent number: 7940334Abstract: The invention discloses a Gamma transform unit. The Gamma transform unit has a lookup table. The lookup table stores a plurality of difference values corresponding to a plurality of predetermined input values. Each of the difference values substantially equals a difference between an ideal output value and a Gamma function output value, both of which correspond to one of the predetermined input values. After the Gamma transform unit has received an input value, it generates a required Gamma function output value corresponding to the received input value through referring to the lookup table.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Princeton Technology CorporationInventors: Ying-Yuan Tang, Hwa-Hsiang Chang, Hui-Fen Chia
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Patent number: 7940281Abstract: A dithering method includes: utilizing a plurality of large dithering masks to perform dithering on a first set of Least Significant Bits (LSBs) of M-bit video data, utilizing a plurality of small dithering masks to perform dithering on a second set of LSBs of the M-bit video data, and adjusting the content of at least one of the plurality of large dithering masks and/or the content of at least one of the plurality of small dithering masks on a frame-by-frame basis. Each of the plurality of large dithering masks includes a plurality of sub-dithering masks. Each of the plurality of sub-dithering masks includes a plurality of dithering thresholds. Each of the plurality of small dithering masks includes a plurality of dithering thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Shih-Chung Wang, Yun-Hung Shen
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Patent number: 7932939Abstract: In an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an image supplied from an imaging apparatus that captured an original image and that performed gamma processing on the original image to generate the image to be supplied to the image processing apparatus, inverse gamma processing means performs inverse gamma processing on the image supplied from the imaging apparatus so that the image has characteristics the same as characteristics of the original image, which corresponds to the image before the image was subjected to the gamma processing in the imaging apparatus, and correction processing means performs correction processing on the image subjected to the inverse gamma processing using the inverse gamma processing means so that blur in the image is corrected.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Toru Nishi, Kazuhiko Ueda, Mitsuyasu Asano, Takeshi Hiramatsu
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Publication number: 20110080506Abstract: The invention provides an image sensing device capturing a gray level image and a chromatic image on a frame via a mixing illumination of a first light and a second light. The image sensing device includes a color filter array module and a controlling module. The color filter array module includes a first filter unit, a second filter unit, a third filter unit, and a fourth filter unit. The first filter unit is used to sense a first pixel data at the frame; the second filter unit is used to sense a second pixel data at the frame; the third filter unit is used to sense a third pixel data at the frame; and the fourth filter unit is used to sense a narrow banding data. The controlling module controls the sensing form of the color filter array module according to the first light or the second light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2009Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: PING-KUO WENG, Ying-Yih Wu, Hsien-Ming Wu
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Patent number: 7916963Abstract: The present invention introduces an intuitive system for digital processing. The system of the present invention allows a user to enhance digital images that appear dark or dull. In one embodiment, the user activates an image enhancement button on a graphical user interface using cursor control device such as a mouse button. In one embodiment, the digital image enhancement system is implemented using a nonlinear brightness level transformation correction and a pseudo gamma correction. The parameters for both the nonlinear brightness level transformation correction and a pseudo gamma correction are determined from examining the properties of the image to be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Russell Reid
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Patent number: 7916185Abstract: A memory control block performs in parallel a process of writing a current frame of image data captured by an image capturing device into a system shared memory, a process of reading out a previous frame of image data stored in the system shared memory, and a process of writing combined image data generated in an image combining block into the system shared memory.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Toshinobu Hatano, Hiroki Hatiyama
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Patent number: 7911487Abstract: Sub-pixel rendering with gamma adjustment allows the luminance of the sub-pixel arrangement to match the non-linear gamma response of the human eye's luminance channel. For each of a subset of input sampled data indicating a region of an input image, a gamma-adjusted data value is generated for each input image data value in the subset using a local average of at least two input image data values. A sub-pixel rendering operation uses the subset of gamma-adjusted data values and the subset of input image data values to produce an output data value for each sub-pixel element on the display panel. A plurality of output data values collectively indicates an output image. The gamma adjustment allows the sub-pixel rendering to operate independently of the actual gamma of a display device. The sub-pixel rendering techniques with gamma adjustment may improve image contrast in high spatial frequency portions of an image.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Candice Helen Brown Elliott, Seok Jin Han, Moon Hwan Im, In Chul Baek, Michael Francis Higgins, Paul Higgins
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Patent number: 7911540Abstract: In a tone conversion apparatus, a decision-processing section sequentially detects a signal level difference between pixels of an image in a predetermined direction thereof by using the image signal having a first number of bits, determines whether the signal level difference remains within a preset signal level difference, and determines a pixel which has the same signal level as that of an immediately preceding pixel that encounters the signal level difference and is consecutive with the immediately preceding pixel. A bit-allocation-processing section may also be utilized.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Takashi Otani
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Patent number: 7903066Abstract: Gray scale distribution of an input image signal is obtained through statistics to determine the contrast characteristic of the input image signal. Based on the gray scale distribution, by a look up table, corresponding gamma setting values are derived and stored in a register. The register outputs the stored gamma setting values to a gray scale voltage generation circuit to adjust the gray scale voltage. Therefore, the display contrast and display quality are improved.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Wintek CorporationInventors: Ruey-Shing Weng, Shin-Tai Lo, Ching-Fu Hsu, Jyun-Sian Li
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Patent number: 7899266Abstract: An image processing apparatus tone-compresses input luminance values representing luminance values of an input image. The image processing apparatus includes a conversion-curve calculator configured to calculate a conversion curve that is used for tone-compressing luminance values, on the basis of a distribution of the input luminance values; a global-luminance calculator configured to calculate global luminance values representing luminance values of a global-luminance image composed of low-frequency components of the input image; a tone compressor configured to tone-compress the input luminance values and the global luminance values according to the conversion curve; and a contrast corrector configured to correct contrast of a tone-compressed input image composed of the tone-compressed input luminance values, on the basis of a slope of the conversion curve and the tone-compressed global luminance values.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Tomoo Mitsunaga
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Patent number: 7893975Abstract: An automated RAW image processing method and system are disclosed. A RAW image and metadata related to the RAW image are obtained from a digital camera or other source. The RAW image and the related metadata are automatically processed using an Operating System service of a processing device to produce a resulting image in an absolute color space. When automatically processing, a predetermined tone reproduction curve is applied to the interpolate RAW image to produce the resulting image. The predetermined tone reproduction curve is derived from a plurality of reference images and is selected based on the metadata associated with the RAW image. The resulting image is then made available to an application program executing on the processing device through an application program interface with the Operating System service.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mark Zimmer, David Hayward, Gabriel G. Marcu
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Patent number: 7889250Abstract: An image-acquisition apparatus is provided, including a correction-coefficient calculating unit 109 for obtaining an image signal subjected to prescribed image processing and creating, in each region, a first correction-coefficient group formed of a plurality of correction coefficients corresponding to a plurality of pixels; a correction-coefficient-group adjusting unit 110 for creating a second correction-coefficient group by adjusting the first correction-coefficient group using the image signal from an image-acquisition device or a feature of the image signal subjected to the image processing; and a grayscale converter 111 for performing grayscale conversion processing in each region using the second correction-coefficient group.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Hideya Aragaki
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Patent number: 7880771Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an image acquiring section. The image acquiring section images a subject based on an exposure reference value as a reference for an exposure in imaging to acquire image data by. An image outputting section outputs the image data obtained by the image acquiring section together with the exposure reference value.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Tetsuya Toyoda
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Patent number: 7876330Abstract: A technique that can contribute to improvement of processing efficiency in performing image processing employing an SIMD command is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takahiro Hagiwara
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Patent number: 7876367Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a selecting part selecting a first mode where correction of dark area gradation is not performed or a second mode where the correction is performed, and a correcting part performing the correction of improving lightness of dark area gradation of an image data when the second mode is selected; wherein an exposure calculating part calculates a brightness value for exposure control by calculating at least one of the maximum brightness value, the average brightness value, and a central part brightness value based on an output of a photometry part and by adding results by weighting addition; and determines a correction value by adding the results by weighting addition and corrects the brightness value for exposure control based on the correction value if the second mode is selected. Therefore, optimum exposure adjustment that depends on the correction can be performed.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Masaru Muramatsu
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Patent number: 7872678Abstract: A method for checking the functional reliability of an image sensor evaluates statistical fluctuations in the grey-scale values provided by the pixels of the image sensor. An actual noise factor, which is derived for light impinging on the pixels, is evaluated. A pixel failure is assumed if the actual noise factor misses a predetermined criterion defined by a reference noise factor. According to one embodiment, the reference noise factor is a dark noise factor. An electronic camera that operates in accordance with the above-described method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Oliver Fuchs, Dieter Bittner, Martin Wendler, Dietmar Doettling
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Patent number: 7852387Abstract: In an image processing apparatus that performs image processing on an image supplied from an imaging apparatus that captured an original image and that performed gamma processing on the original image to generate the image to be supplied to the image processing apparatus, inverse gamma processing means performs inverse gamma processing on the image supplied from the imaging apparatus so that the image has characteristics the same as characteristics of the original image, which corresponds to the image before the image was subjected to the gamma processing in the imaging apparatus, and correction processing means performs correction processing on the image subjected to the inverse gamma processing using the inverse gamma processing means so that blur in the image is corrected.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Toru Nishi, Kazuhiko Ueda, Mitsuyasu Asano, Takeshi Hiramatsu
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Publication number: 20100309346Abstract: A device, method, computer useable medium, and processor programmed to automatically generate tone mapping curves in a digital camera based on image metadata are described. By examining image metadata from a digital camera's sensor, such as the light-product, one can detect sun-lit, high-light, and low-light scenes. Once the light-product value has been calculated for a given image, a tone mapping curve can automatically be generated within the sensor and adjusted appropriately for the scene based on predetermined parameters. Further, it has been determined that independently varying the slopes of the tone mapping curve at the low end (S0) and high end (S1) of the curve results in more visually appealing images. By dynamically and independently selecting S0 and S1 values based on image metadata, more visually pleasing images can be generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: APPLE INC.Inventors: RALPH BRUNNER, MARK ZIMMER, GUY COTE
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Publication number: 20100295977Abstract: A digital camera 1 comprises a degree-of-color similarity determiner 104, a gain setter 105 and a gradation corrector 106. Degree-of-color similarity determiner 104 determines, based on color information on all pixels of each of a plurality of block areas of an image whose gradation is to be corrected, a degree of similarity of the hue of that block area to a specified reference color. Correction factor setter 105 sets, for each pixel, a correction factor corresponding to the degree of similarity of a hue of the block area determined by the determiner. Gradation corrector 106 corrects the brightness of that pixel based on the correction factor set for that pixel by the setter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshitsugu MANABE
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Patent number: 7839414Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for color compensation of a display having a translucent display cover applied to an outside surface of the display. A method may include characterizing a color shift due to the translucent display cover for when there is rendering of an image on the display and compensating for the color shift when rendering an image on the display. The method further may include measuring the color shift induced by the color of the finish, and as described below compensating the red, green, and blue (RGB) levels of the display so that the display image may be presented to the user as originally intended. In this way, the image quality may be substantially optimized for viewing regardless of the lens/cover surface color.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc.Inventors: Adam Cybart, Roger W. Ady, John A. Burroughs, R. Dodge D. Daverman, Ken K. Foo, Sen Yang, Zhiming (Jim) Zhuang
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Patent number: 7839413Abstract: A dithering method for an LCD is disclosed and comprises a plurality of steps. First, a plurality of long-bit gray-level signals are received. Each of the long-bit gray-level signal is transformed to a short-bit gray-level signal and at least one LSB is obtained based on the bit length difference between the long-bit gray-level signal and the short-bit gray-level signal. A sequence of frames is generated by the short-bit gray-level signals, and the frames can be classified into different groups according to the LSB. The offset pattern is applied on the frames, wherein the offset pattern is displayed at the same polarity in the same column of each frame in the same group.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Himax Technologies LimitedInventor: Huan-Sen Liao
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Publication number: 20100289930Abstract: A brightness adjusting system for an image of an object captured by a camera includes a plurality of light sources configured for emitting light to the object, a driving device driving the light sources to emit the light, and an adjustment device electrically connected to the camera and the driving device. The adjustment device pre-stores a plurality of standard brightness value ranges, analyzes a brightness distribution of the image, compares the brightness distribution of the image with the standard brightness value ranges, determines required adjustment of the brightness distribution of the image according to the comparison, and directs the driving device to drive the light sources to emit the light with a required intensity according to the required adjustment of the brightness distribution of the image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: MING-YANG LIAO
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Publication number: 20100253815Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes, an input device that inputs image data output from an electronic camera, a storage device that stores the input image data; and a control device. The image-processing device is capable of modifying the contents of a look-up table in the electronic camera by using a plurality of control points. The information processing apparatus is capable of exchanging the control points and the contents of the look-up table with the electronic camera and the camera is able to store the control points.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Keita Kimura, Hiroki Uwai, Bungo Fujii, Toshikazu Morikawa
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Publication number: 20100245635Abstract: A method of generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image and a digital image pickup device using the same are described. The digital image pickup device is employed to generate an HDR image according to a single digital image. The method includes the steps of obtaining an original image; performing a gray-scale processing to convert the original image into an original gray-scale pattern, in which each pixel in the original gray-scale pattern is assigned with a gray-scale value; performing a conversion procedure according to a gradient and a compensation value of the gray-scale value of each pixel in the original gray-scale pattern, and generating a high dynamic gray-scale pattern by using the gradients and the compensation values; and compensating the original image with the high dynamic gray-scale pattern, so as to generate the HDR image.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2009Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONA'L CO., LTD.Inventor: Chao Chun Lin
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Publication number: 20100238329Abstract: A color conversion coefficient calculation apparatus includes: a conversion coefficient calculation section that calculates, as a color conversion coefficient for converting a first color signal made up of a plurality of chrominance signals into a second color signal made up of a plurality of chrominance signals, a color conversion coefficient for converting a first spectral characteristic which characterizes the first color signal in a standard fashion into a second spectral characteristic which characterizes the second color signal; a correction coefficient calculation section that calculates a correction coefficient for approximating a base color signal which is the first color signal corresponding to a plurality of base colors into a reference color signal obtained based on the first spectral characteristic corresponding to a plurality of base colors; and a conversion coefficient correction section that corrects the color conversion coefficient by using the correction coefficient.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: Olympus CorporationInventor: Hiroshi SUZUKI
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Patent number: 7800665Abstract: An image processing method is provided. A digital image is outputted by an optical sensor and includes M pixels. The ith pixel among the M pixels has an ith set of original gray levels, wherein i is an integer index ranging from 1 to M. In the method according to this invention, M sets of logarithm values are first generated. The ith set of logarithm values among the M sets of logarithm values is generated based on the ith set of original gray levels and a set of adjusting parameters relative to the optical sensor. Statistics of the M sets of logarithm values is then gathered. According to the statistics result, a target color temperature of the digital image is determined.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.Inventor: Han-Jen Chang
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Patent number: 7796171Abstract: The anti-blooming structure of an image sensor is supplied with varying voltages during different integration periods such that charges generated in response to low level light are fully captured, whereas charges generated in response to a bright light spill over in a controlled manner. Accordingly, sensor's response may be generated to result in higher gains at low light levels and progressively lower gains at the higher light levels.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2007Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Flir Advanced Imaging Systems, Inc.Inventor: David W. Gardner
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Patent number: RE41631Abstract: Gamma correction or other power Power functions and other self-similar functions are generated for correcting the light intensity for digital pixels implemented in hardware. Two levels of mapping of segments are preformed to reduce the total number of segments for a given precision. The A range of inputs is divided into successively smaller segments. Two levels of mapping of segments are performed. Each segment is smaller than the next by a factor of 1/a for a first or primary level, or 1/b for a second level of segments. All inputs are mapped of scaled up to the input range of the largest segment in the primary level. Then the largest primary segment is further divided into several second-level segments, and the input is again mapped or scaled into the largest of the second-level segments. Gamma correction The function is performed on the input scaled into the largest second-level segment. A linear approximation within the largest second-level segment is used.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Inventor: Tao Lin