Abstract: A system that provides a more immersive viewing experience of an image sequence is provided. This is realized by extending the currently presented frame of the image sequence. The backlighting effect is used to display the extended part of the currently presented frame. A method and computer-readable medium is also provided.

Abstract: A video signal includes a plurality of frames of image data. A single frame of image data or multiple frames of image data, one or more reduced resolution frames, or a portion or portions of one or more frames or reduced resolution frames can be analyzed to determine initial statistics. One or more correction operations are then performed on the initial statistics to generate initial correction values. The one or more correction operations include a balance correction operation, a flare correction operation, and a tonal correction operation. After the initial correction values are determined, a temporal filter is applied to the initial correction values to generate final correction values. Optimized image data is then generated by applying the final correction values to image data in one or more frames.

Abstract: System and method for processing videos and images to a determined quality level. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for enhancing video. The method includes providing a first video element that is uncompressed. The method also includes determining motion information associated with the video element. The method further includes providing a second video element by removing at least a defect from the first video element. The second video element includes a color luminance and a luminance. In addition, the method includes de-interlacing the second video element using the motion information. Furthermore, the method includes scaling the second video element. Also, the method includes providing a third video element by enhancing the chrominance and enhancing the luminance of the second video element. The method additionally includes outputting the third video element.

Abstract: The moving images under reproduction are displayed in a main screen and a plurality of thumbnail images that serve as indexes by which to search for a desired scene are displayed. Moreover, the thus displayed thumbnail images are updated at a predetermined timing according as the moving images progress.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video telephony in a mobile terminal includes: extracting, after establishment of a video call, a facial feature from a video image captured by a camera unit of the mobile terminal, comparing the extracted facial feature with that of a pre-stored reference image, and correcting the video image according to the facial feature of the reference image. The corrected video image is transmitted to a counterpart of the video call.

Abstract: A method for red-eye detection in an acquired digital image comprises acquiring a first image and analyzing the first acquired image to provide characteristics indicative of image quality. The process then determines if one or more corrective processes can be beneficially applied to the first acquired image according to the characteristics. Any such corrective processes are then applied to the first acquired image. Red-eye defects are then detected in a second acquired image using the corrected first acquired image. Defect detection can comprise applying one or more, or a chain of two or more, red-eye filters to the first acquired image. In this case, prior to the detecting step, it is determined if the red-eye filter or red eye filter chain can be adapted in accordance with the characteristics. The red-eye filter may be adapted accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for image alteration. A video signal having a plurality of images may be accessed. An alteration request may be received from a user. A portion of the plurality of images of the video signal may be altered to blur the video signal. The blurred video signal may be provided for presentation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus executes image processing on an original image. The image processing apparatus includes a display unit configured to display adjusting images each corresponding to a part or the entirety of the original image; a setting unit allowing setting of values of parameters defining respective degrees of the image processing for the adjusting images such that the values differ among the adjusting images; and an operating unit allowing specification of one of the adjusting images by an external operation. When one of the adjusting images is specified using the operating unit, the setting unit modifies the values of the parameters defining the respective degrees of the image processing for the other adjusting images so that the values for the other adjusting images are approximated to the values for the specified adjusting image. The display unit displays the adjusting images according to the respective modified degrees of the image processing.

Abstract: A moving-picture processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire metadata including information about each temporal region in an input moving picture with a plurality of temporal regions, a decision unit configured to determine a cutout region corresponding to at least any one of the plurality of temporal regions on the basis of the metadata, and a cutting-out unit configured to cut out the cutout region from an image in each frame of the input moving picture.

Abstract: A visible luminance step in a background scene, caused by a signal level mismatch between a matte signal level and a blue backing signal level, is significantly reduced by a soft edge transition region that raises the blue backing signal level up to the signal level of a garbage matte by using a cleanup signal restricted to the transition region. The soft edge formed by cleanup does not make subjects transparent, and actors may enter this zone with little loss of image quality.

Abstract: Signal charge is branched in either of two directions, namely to a first output circuit or to a second output circuit, by a branching portion at the left end of a horizontal transfer line. Imperfect transfer of signal charge occurs at the branching portion owing to the branching operation, and this signal charge is added to signal charge of the next pixel. Data representing an amount of correction that corrects for the imperfect transfer is calculated, and imperfect transfer at the branching portion is compensated for using the data representing this amount of correction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capture of a spherical image is disclosed. The present invention includes at least one camera having a lens with at least a 180° field-of-view for capturing a hemispherical image. In a first embodiment, a second hemispherical image is created corresponding to a mirror image of the hemispherical image captured by the camera. In a second embodiment, two back-to-back cameras capture first and second hemispherical images, respectively. In both embodiments, a converter combines the two images along their outside edges to form a single, spherical image. Finally, the converter stores the complete spherical image for later retrieval and perspective corrected viewing.

Abstract: A technique for correcting white eye in image data is disclosed. In this technique, a white eye candidate pixel is detected from an eye extracted from the image data based on a predetermined detection condition. The white eye candidate pixel as a white eye pixel based on a predetermined determination condition. Then, white eye correction is effected on the determined white eye pixel by changing its luminance.

Abstract: A special effect image generating apparatus provided with an image conversion processing circuit for posterization or other image conversion, a luminance and chroma condition setting circuit for image extraction by luminance and colors, a mask pattern generator for selection of a mask, and mixer for preparing a video signal, a transformation unit for transformation processing such as movement, and a post video modification unit for addition of a locus etc. The extracted image automatically tracks movement of the image so there is no change in visual effects, images having the same luminance and color conditions can be deleted by mask adjustment, movement of the image can be handled by adjustment of the mask, and highly accurate boundaries can be set by the wave-filtering and shaping circuit. Therefore, a special effect image with distinctive luminance and color can be easily prepared.

Abstract: A special effect image generating apparatus provided with an image conversion processing circuit for posterization or other image conversion, a luminance and chroma condition setting circuit for image extraction by luminance and colors, a mask pattern generator for selection of a mask, and mixer for preparing a video signal, a transformation unit for transformation processing such as movement, and a post video modification unit for addition of a locus etc. The extracted image automatically tracks movement of the image so there is no change in visual effects, images having the same luminance and color conditions can be deleted by mask adjustment, movement of the image can be handled by adjustment of the mask, and highly accurate boundaries can be set by the wave-filtering and shaping circuit. Therefore, a special effect image with distinctive luminance and color can be easily prepared.

Abstract: An image processing circuit compares a pixel value to a threshold value and modifies the pixel value if the pixel value has a predetermined relationship to the threshold value. Alternatively, the image processing circuit generates a random number and combines the random number with a pixel value. Such image processing circuits can be used to remove artifacts such as contour artifacts from a decoded electronic image or a sequence of decoded video frames.

Abstract: A special effect image generating apparatus provided with an image conversion processing circuit for posterization or other image conversion, a luminance and chroma condition setting circuit for image extraction by luminance and colors, a mask pattern generator for selection of a mask, and mixer for preparing a video signal, a transformation unit for transformation processing such as movement, and a post video modification unit for addition of a locus etc. The extracted image automatically tracks movement of the image so there is no change in visual effects, images having the same luminance and color conditions can be deleted by mask adjustment, movement of the image can be handled by adjustment of the mask, and highly accurate boundaries can be set by the wave-filtering and shaping circuit. Therefore, a special effect image with distinctive luminance and color can be easily prepared.

Abstract: In an image display apparatus in which a display attribute of a specific area of the display can be modified based on an information input from a processor, a resolution of the image is determined from the input vertical and horizontal synchronization signals, dot clocks are generated by multiplying the horizontal synchronization signals depending on the determined resolution, a horizontal display period in one horizontal synchronization signal is detected using a signal in the image signals input from the processor, the actual count value of the dot clocks in the detected horizontal display period is compared with a standard value thereof in the horizontal display period in one line at the determined resolution of the image and the multiplication number of a dot clock generation circuit is corrected so that the count value coincides with the standard value to modify the display attribute of the specific area of the display.

Abstract: A television system allows extraction of a sub-image and streaming of the sub-image contents to an external device during a sequence of successive screen refresh intervals.

Abstract: Image data of still images are created based on data produced by one-dimensionally sampling a sequence of two-dimensionally displayed moving image data in one direction while sequentially moving a sampling position in another direction, and particular frame images are detected in the sequence of moving images based on the moving image data, such that the detected particular frame images are displayed together with a still image based on the created image data along a common time base, thus enabling an operator to immediately recognize an overall stream of moving images represented by the moving image data based on the displayed particular frame images and still image, thereby making it possible to realize an image display apparatus and method capable of readily confirming an outline of the moving images and selecting a desired scene therefrom in a short time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a TV-receiver 220 for receiving and decoding a broadcasted TV-signal representing an image and control data wherein the control data defines a vector indicating a location of a partition of important subject matter within said image. The invention further relates to an image display apparatus 200 and to a TV-system comprising the TV-receiver and to a method for operating the TV-receiver. It is the object of the present invention to improve a known TV-receiver 220, an image display apparatus, a TV-system and a method for displaying an image such that at least a partition of important subject matter within the original broadcasted image can entirely be shown on a screen even if the size of said screen is smaller than the size of said partition with only a minimal loss of details.

Abstract: A color processing system is provided that corrects color artifacts such as red eye typically formed in images from a camera flash. An image is captured or processed by inputting the image into the system. To correct red eye artifacts, a “redness” mask is computed by calculating the colorimetric distance, in an approximately perceptually linear color space, between a prototypical reference “red eye” color and each pixel of the image, or a selected portion thereof, containing the red eye. Each pixel of the redness mask is then reduced to one of two values by comparing the calculated colorimetric distance recorded by each mask pixel to a threshold value. Various filtering, morphological, and blob analysis techniques may be applied to the mask to eliminate noise, reduce errors, and facilitate a more natural look. The mask serves to identify pixels in the color image needing correction, and further serves to identify the amount of correction needed.

Abstract: A method for independently controlling hue or saturation of individual colors in a real time digital video image, without affecting the hue or saturation of any other color in the same real time digital video image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display apparatus, a marker signal making process, a marker signal detector circuit, and a control signal generator circuit that are suitable for use when making a display in which a display screen is divided into a plurality of areas and images whose picture qualities are different at every area are displayed. Thus, in the present invention, image signals (R/G/B) from input terminals 1R, 1G, 1B are supplied to a preamplifier IC 3, e.g. to respective sharpness improving circuits 32R, 32G, 32B therein. Image signals derived from the preamplifier IC 3 are subjected to DC voltage conversion by a cutoff adjusting amplifier 6 and then supplied, e.g. to a cathode ray tube 7 as a display means. A microcomputer 40 which is present within this apparatus and controls various kinds of functions forms first and second DC voltage data for controlling, e.g. the sharpness.

Abstract: An image display device has an image output unit for displaying an overall image represented by an image signal, a region designation unit for designating a particular region within the overall image, the region designation unit including a position signal extraction unit for extracting a position signal from a predetermined signal on which the position signal is superimposed and received by the image display device, and a region decision unit for deciding the particular region on a basis of the position signal, and a control unit for selectively controlling an image quality of an image for the particular region.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for automatically adjusting luminance, and more particularly, apparatus and method for automatically adjusting luminance per region in plurality of luminance regions of an image to be displayed according to its average luminance value. An average luminance of an image is detected, and then contrast and brightness of image is automatically adjusted according to detected average luminance. Amplification of contrast and brightness is increased to brighten an image in an image with low luminance and reduced to suppress image dazzle in an image with high luminance, thereby providing user with an image of appropriate brightness, irrespective of original brightness. It is possible to prevent diversion of image by dividing its luminance level into a plurality of regions and controlling contrast and luminance per region. Further, a buffer region between luminance regions prevents flickering of image on a screen due to diversion of an adjustable gain.

Abstract: Techniques for removing ringing artifacts from video data. A deringing filter in accordance with the present invention preserves real image edges in a video frame, while smoothing out the interiors of objects. In one aspect, a 9-tap low-pass filter is applied to an adaptive processing window. The filter window is initialized with the values in a 3×3 mask centered on the position whose output is computed. Then all values that are very different from the central one are replaced with the central value. The deringing filter varies between 3×3 low-pass and identity, depending on how much the central value differs from its surrounding ones. A deblocking filter in accordance may also be suitably used in conjunction with the deringing filter.

Abstract: A digital enhancement method enhances a subsection of video. Video is received by a receiver from a sender. The video includes information or displaying a video image. The subsection of the video for digital enhancement is selected. The selecting the subsection of the video for enhancement includes partitioning the video image into the selected subsection and a remainder unselected subsection. The selected subsection is digitally enhanced by the sender to provide the video including a digitally enhanced subsection. The video including the digitally enhanced subsection is received by the receiver from the sender.

Abstract: A displaying apparatus comprises: a displaying part for displaying a picture; a selection input part for selecting for display a highlight portion within the picture of the displaying part; a storage part for storing data according to the selection made through the selection input part; and a controller for generating a highlight signal corresponding to the highlight portion based on the selected data, for composing or combining the highlight signal and the video signal to thereby generate a composed or combined video signal, and for displaying the highlight portion within the picture of the displaying part based on the composed or combined video signal. With this configuration, the size, position and brightness of a highlight portion can be adjusted, as desired, by specifying the highlight portion within a picture of a displaying part. A method for controlling such a displaying apparatus includes steps corresponding to the functions of the various components of the displaying apparatus, as described above.

Abstract: A digital camera has an integral flash and stores and displays a digital image. Under certain conditions, a flash photograph taken with the camera may result in a red-eye phenomenon due to a reflection within an eye of a subject of the photograph. The digital camera has a red-eye filter which analyzes the stored image for the red-eye phenomenon and modifies the stored image to eliminate the red-eye phenomenon by changing the red area to black. The modification of the image is enabled when a photograph is taken under conditions indicative of the red-eye phenomenon. The modification is subject to anti-falsing analysis which further examines the area around the red-eye area for indicia of the eye of the subject.

Abstract: A video decoder is connected with a block distortion detector for specifying the boundary of blocks where block boundary occurs, using decoded image data and information of motion vectors, which are supplied from the video decoder; and a block distortion remover for subjecting pixels in the vicinity of the block boundary of the decoded image to filtering on the basis of the result of detection from the block distortion detector, thereby removing the block distortion. Therefore, block distortion is accurately detected when a compressed and coded image is decoded, and the detected block distortion is removed while minimizing the blurriness of the image.

Abstract: A non-linear video editing system includes a graphical user interface to facilitate editing of video clips in a composition. The system includes the ability to display and edit a video frame on a field-by-field basis. Each field can be edited separately from the other field of the same frame. Additionally, inter-field jitter, present when fields are displayed individually, is removed by determining which field includes the top-most line of the frame and adjusting accordingly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the processing of video data in which the appearance characteristics of picture elements are modified using digital apparatus such as a color processor which provides a plurality of channels having respective processing means, each channel being adapted normally to operate to process a discrete range of characteristics, wherein the method comprises the step of operating the apparatus in an alternative mode in which at least two of the channels are used to carry out identical processing steps, spatial segments of the video data being split between said at least two channels to thereby increase the speed of processing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprises display means for displaying a moving image on the basis of input image data; designation means for designating a partial region in a display screen of the display means; and encoding means for encoding the image data. The display means displays a still image of the moving image during designation by the designation means. The encoding means encodes the image data with an image included in the region designated by the designation means of the moving image displayed by the display means being decodable to have higher image quality than an image of a non-designated region.

Abstract: In a video signal character converting device, a sampling window signal generator generates a signal for sampling an input video signal “a”. A video scene amplitude discrimination circuit samples the video signal in response to the sampling signal, detects a change in image level either field by field or frame by frame based on an integrated value for every duration of vertical scanning, and outputs a resetting pulse when the change in picture level exceeds a predetermined level. A video scene periodicity discrimination circuit measures a time interval between two successive resetting pulses, and outputs a control signal if the time interval is shorter than a predetermined period. A video scene conversion circuit converts a video scene in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A method and system for removal of flash artifacts from a digital image containing pixels therein, including using a database of reference flash-corrupted images for identifying corrupted pixels within the digital image that have been corrupted by a flash, and modifying the color values of each corrupted pixel of the digital image, to correct the corrupted pixel color values.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating at least a selected area in a picture is disclosed herein. The picture and the selected area are displayed on a video display means, and the user can optionally adjust the position and size of the selected area. The apparatus including the following devices. A first converting device that is used to generate a digital signal and a pointer defining signal according to a computer video signal. The picture is transferred from the computer video signal, and the selected area is defined in the pointer defining signal. A first adapting device that is utilized to adapt the format of the computer video signal to suit a digital display format corresponding to the pointer defining signal. A storage device determines said display timing of all the pixels of the picture. A pointer generating device generates a plurality of edge of the selected area according to the pointer defining signal.

Abstract: An image converting apparatus for converting an image of an input video signal into an image with a metallic luster and representing the metallic luster with parameters designated corresponding to the input image. The apparatus is based on the concept that a model of reflected light can represented with a model of reflected light of diffusion reflection and mirror-surface reflection and that even though the resultant model of reflected light is three-dimensional data, assuming that the brightness of an input video signal linearly varies, the model can be represented with brightness data. A color correction circuit 5 has a look-up table with which calculations for generating an image with a metallic luster are performed with the brightness data and the designated parameters. A matrix calculating circuit extracts a luminous signal component from the input video signal. A pre-modifying circuit adjusts the amplitude.

Abstract: Image-distorting artifacts are added to selected areas of a color image. A first artifact change is made to a luminance component of a selected area, and at least one other artifact change is made to chrominance components of the selected area. The artifact changes are perceptively balanced such that the artifacts are not perceptible when the image is displayed on a monitor. For example, changes in saturation are selected to balance changes in intensity of luminance. However, when the image is filtered such that one of the artifacts is modified, the remaining artifact becomes visible. Such filtering might be performed by an RGB-to-NTSC converter. Thus, if the RGB-to-NTSC converter is used between an RGB output of DVD-ROM electronics and a computer monitor (in an attempt to make an unauthorized copy), the video signal leaving the RGB-to-NTSC converter will contain perceptible artifacts and, therefore, images of reduced viewability.

Abstract: A method of selective color control of a digital video image, using a digital technique. The method features using simple Look-Up-Tables (LUTs), whose values are calculated from uniquely defined color control functions, to digitally change the saturation of a single color of the chromatic part of a video image without affecting saturations of the remaining colors of the chromatic part of the same video image. A digital video input image is scanned, row by row, pixel by pixel. Each input image pixel value, defined from the chromatic part of the video input image, is assigned an address to be operated on by values in individual color LUTs. For a desired change in an individual color of that image, a new digital video output image is produced featuring the desired change in the individual color without affecting the remaining colors of that same image. Application of this method to video images precludes the need to convert video components (e.g., YCrCb) into RGB (red, green, blue) components.

Abstract: A method for previewing a scene before actual capture by a motion-picture camera for permitting improved creative control of the scene ultimately captured by the motion-picture camera, the method comprises the steps of providing a digital representation of the scene; mapping the digital representation through a transfer function which maps the digital representation to image data representative of image data that a predetermined film will create; providing the mapped image data to a display; and displaying the image data on the display.

Abstract: In a red-eye detection/retouch apparatus, a first area extraction unit receives an image including a red eye and a signal representing a small area including the red eye and designated by a user and extracts a first area including the red eye. A first pixel selection unit detects the reddest pixel from the first area and outputs coordinate values and color information of the pixel. A determination unit determines whether the other red eye is present on the basis of the signal representing the small area and the coordinate values of the reddest pixel. The determination unit outputs an instruction signal for extracting a second area where the other red eye is present upon determining that the other red eye is present. A second area extraction unit receives the instruction signal and extracts the second area from the first area. A second pixel selection unit detects the reddest pixel from the second area and outputs coordinate values and color information of the pixel.

Abstract: An image processor which provides a color space conversion characteristic suitable for an image includes a transfer unit which transfers digital color image data representing a desired image input by an image input unit and having a color space depending on the image input unit, and extraction unit which extracts a color space conversion characteristic used to convert the color space depending on the image input unit into another color space. The transfer unit transfers the digital color image data having the color space depending on the image input unit and the color space conversion characteristic.

Abstract: A video memory stores a plurality of image data, and an attribute storage means stores image attributes indicating whether or not the respective image data require expansion of a luminance range. An image data conversion means receives an image data digital signal output from the video memory and an image attribute signal output from the attribute storage means. When the image attribute signal provides an instruction to expand the luminance range, the image data conversion means outputs, to a display unit, a display data analog signal representing a higher luminance value, as compared with the display data analog signal to be output therefrom when the image attribute signal provides no instruction to expand the luminance range.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for editing a video frame is disclosed. The video frame comprises scan lines of a first video field interlaced with scan lines of a second video field, and the scan lines comprise a plurality of pixels, each having values representing image information. The method comprises displaying the video frame on a display screen of a computer system, the computer system having a processor and input means which are coupled to the display screen, receiving an input from the input means which indicates which of the first and second video fields of the video frame is to be edited and in response to the input, de-emphasizing the scan lines of the video field which is not to be edited.

Abstract: The synchronization of an existing video to a new soundtrack is carried out through the phonetic analysis of the original soundtrack and the new soundtrack. Individual speech sounds, such as phones, are identified in the soundtrack for the original video recording, and the images corresponding thereto are stored. The new soundtrack is similarly analyzed to identify individual speech sounds, which are used to select the stored images and create a new video sequence. The sequence of images are then smoothly fitted to one another, to provide a video stream that is synchronized to the new soundtrack. This approach permits a given video sequence to be synchronized to any arbitrary utterance. Furthermore, the matching of the video images to the new speech sounds can be carried out in a highly automated manner, thereby reducing required manual effort.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of adjusting the display of the monitor by modifying the parameter values of the adjustable display functions. When the user begins to press the select key on the control panel, the display of the monitor is altered by recursively varying the parameter value of the selected display function from the maximum to the minimum, for indicating the type of the display function to be selected. Such a dynamic display can be obtained by using the microcontroller of the monitor. The monitor will exhibit the display effect of the display function to be selected. Therefore, the user can realize the display effect of these display functions, without having to memorize the simplified figures associated with these display functions. Then the user can adjust the display of the monitor through depressing the adjust key on the control panel.

Abstract: A method of transposing data. Either eight bit or sixteen bit data is placed in a buffer. Each buffer is defined to contain one or more sub-buffers. Rows of the sub-buffer are selectively interleaved with the results of the selective interleaving being again interleaved in a specific order. Successive interleavings create the transpose of the original sub-buffer.

Abstract: A device and method for performing a coloring set operation for a specific region on a screen of a video signal process device which designates the specific region on a liquid crystal monitor and displays the specific region with a specific color onto the screen. The method includes determining whether the specific region is designated by a user in response to an input corresponding to a coloring mode and a specific region select mode; setting a luminance signal level of the specific region, if the specific region is designated and maintaining a color phase in a default state; if a color up/down input is entered, performing an up/down operation for the color phase by a predetermined angle to set the color phase; and completing the coloring set operation in response to an input corresponding to a coloring completion mode.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing or magnifying the picture size of a video composite signal with the use of fewer memories than a conventional video composite signal processor which processes pixel data after being converted into R, G, B signals. A video composite signal is directly converted into digital data and sampled with a sampling frequency of four times the color sub-carrier and stored in a pair of field buffers to be processed for picture size reduction or magnification. The digital data are reduced or multiplied in units of pairs of data with a phase difference of .pi./2. Color information is reproduced from corresponding two pairs of data of two adjacent fields having a phase difference of .pi..