Interpolation Patents (Class 358/525)
  • Patent number: 6741759
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for interpolating between a first and second pixel in a video display system, where the first pixel has a first pixel value and a first coordinate on a first axis, and the second pixel has a second pixel value and a second coordinate on the first axis. The invention provides a first intermediate coordinate in between the first and second coordinates on the first axis, and determines a weight factor for the first intermediate coordinate. The weight factor is determined by either inputting the first intermediate coordinate into a first blending function if the first intermediate coordinate is within a first domain, or by inputting the first intermediate coordinate into a second blending function if the first intermediate coordinate is within a second domain. Once the weight factor is determined, a first interpolated value is calculated from a first product of the weight factor and a function of the first pixel value and the second pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael M. Lee, Kun-Nan Cheng, Fu-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 6738498
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for tissue dependent filtering for digital image magnification includes using bilinear interpolation and digital convolution filters to approximate bicubic interpolation for digital image magnification. A library of set s of representative images may be created for particular anatomies and particular imaging modalities. Two-dimensional convolution filter coefficients may be estimated using a set of representative images chosen for a particular anatomy. The two-dimensional convolution filter coefficients may be employed to form a two-dimensional convolution filter to be used with bilinear interpolation to magnify a digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Aleksandar Zavaljevski
  • Patent number: 6724932
    Abstract: The computation of an R06-signal at a G06-pixel position that has only a G-signal on a line of B-pixels and G-pixels is performed by an equation of R06=G06+(R09+G09), based on the assumption that the difference between an R-signal and a G-signal is constant at local regions of an image, i.e., the assumption that a relation of R06−G06=R09−G09 is established. In this case, the G09-signal at the R09-pixel position is computed by performing a one-dimensional interpolation on a G-signal on an RG line including the R09-pixel position, like G09=(G05+G13)/2, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Ito
  • Patent number: 6724500
    Abstract: A method for selecting CMY coordinates for printing a desired source color represented in an source color-space includes the step of obtaining coordinates for the printer gamut in the source color-space and then dividing the printer gamut into a plurality of tetrahedra, one of which contains the desired source color. This particular tetrahedron, referred to as the source-bearing tetrahedron, is identified and transformed into a target-bearing tetrahedron in the CMY color space. The target-bearing tetrahedron contains the CMY coordinates of the desired color. The specific color within the target-bearing tetrahedron is identified by obtaining barycentric coordinates for the source color relative to the source-bearing tetrahedron and identifying that color in the target-bearing tetrahedron that has the same barycenric coordinates. The CMY coordinates for that color can then be provided to a printer to print the desired source color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Charles M. Hains, Robert R. Buckley
  • Publication number: 20040070776
    Abstract: A gray balancing technique wherein gray balancing curves are determined by interpolating the primary color data values of color samples to determine discrete combinations of primary colors that substantially match predetermined targets, and performing a curve fitting procedure on the discrete combinations of primary colors to produce gray balancing curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Meng Yao, Martin S. Maltz
  • Patent number: 6721003
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus has a one CCD, two CCD, or three CCD with spatial pixel offset imaging system. A parameter calculation section sequentially scans an image signal in units of pixels and calculates a parameter for region segmentation from at least one neighboring region containing the current pixel of interest. An image signal segmentation section segments the image signal into uniform regions having single color correlation on the basis of the calculated parameters. A regression section regresses, to a linear formula, the color correlation between color signals in the uniform region. A restoring section restores a missing color signal on the basis of the linear formula and the color signals present in the uniform region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Tsuruoka, Taketo Tsukioka
  • Patent number: 6718074
    Abstract: A machine vision inspection system and method that increase the resolution of object image-data without physically manipulating the physical optics of cameras used during inspection. The exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a system and method that perform what may be characterized as a digital zoom. Using this digital zoom, the resolution of object image-data provided by a camera may be artificially increased. Moreover, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the invention, a determination may be made regarding whether portions of the object image-data are under-resolved, and based on that determination, a local digital zoom may be performed on that under-resolved portion of object image-data to increase the resolution of that portion of object image-data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Dutta-Choudhury, Joe Scola, Brad Safford, Igor Reyzin
  • Patent number: 6714242
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus for processing the output signal of a CCD area sensor having a color filter with a Bayer arrangement of red, green, and blue primary colors, a VH-correlation detecting section calculates, according to four pieces of pixel information in four directions of the right and left directions (horizontal direction) and the upper and lower directions (vertical direction) from a pixel to be interpolated, correlation values in the four directions, for example, for green. According to these correlation values, interpolation coefficients are determined. Interpolation data is multiplied by the interpolation coefficients in multipliers and the results are summed up in adders to implement interpolation processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20040051892
    Abstract: A method of determining a value for a function which is particularly useful for mapping values from one colour space to another comprises a series of steps, as follows. The method is applicable to n-dimensional spaces, but is particularly described for three dimensions. The first step is to establish a three dimensional lattice, the function having values at the lattice points. The next step is to record values of the function for a subset of the lattice points, the lattice points of the subset being known value lattice points. These known value lattice points form a sparse lattice (preferably the sparse lattice points are regularly spaced along orthogonal axes). A value of the function for a given lattice point is established by returning a weighted average of the values of one or more of four known value lattice points defining a tetrahedron 42 touching or enclosing the given lattice point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Peter Hemingway
  • Patent number: 6704463
    Abstract: The invention provides an interpolation processing apparatus and method which can be applied, for example, to a personal computer such that it can prevent deterioration in picture quality arising from a conversion ratio by applying it, for example, to image processing. Weighting coefficients are varied based on phase information of output data with respect to input data and a ratio between the input sample number which forms the input data and an output sample number of corresponding output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiko Okada, Koji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 6697540
    Abstract: The invention disclosed a method for digital image interpolation and sharpness enhancement, said method includes the following steps: 1) Inputting an image signal Xij to a first interpolation low pass filter FIR 1, said FIR 1 is a cubic interpolation filter having filter coefficient hi(n); 2) inputting an image signal Xij to at least one of second interpolation low pass filters FIR 2, said FIR 2 is an interpolation filter having filter coefficient hi′(n), wherein said FIR 2 has a cut-off frequency lower than that of said FIR 1; 3) making FIR 1 outputted via a band pass filter to obtain an image signal tij; 4) making FIR 2 outputted via a delay buffer to obtain an image signal tij′; 5) inputting said image signal tij and tij′ to a subtractor to get a differential signal tij−tij′; and 6) obtaining an output of image signal Yij by means of the following equation: Yij=tij+S·(tij−tij′), where S is a sharpness level control coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Media Scope Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Wen-Hen Chen
  • Patent number: 6697520
    Abstract: A method of determining a value for a function that is particularly useful for mapping values from one color space to another includes a series of steps, as follows. The method is applicable to n-dimensional spaces, but is particularly described for three dimensions. The first step is to establish a three dimensional lattice, the function having values at the lattice points. The next step is to record values of the function for a subset of the lattice points, the lattice points of the subset known value lattice points. These known value lattice points from a sparse lattice (preferably the sparse lattice points ate regularly spaced along orthogonal axes). A values of the function for a given lattice point is established by returning a weighted average of the values of one or more of four known value lattice points defining a tetrahedron touching or enclosing the given lattice point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.C.
    Inventor: Peter Hemingway
  • Publication number: 20040032604
    Abstract: An effects processor for an effects module. The effects processor comprises a RISC processor, a DSP for fast integer multiplication and a small memory. The processor uses VARK language and a lookup table of VARK scripts to apply a variety of effects to images stored outside the effects module. The effects processor includes a serial bus interface which communicates with the Serial Bus of a compact printer system comprising one or more further modules. The Serial Bus communicates power and data between the effects module and one or more of the further modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Simon Robert Walmsley, Paul Lapstun
  • Publication number: 20040032603
    Abstract: An image to be printed is stored in an image storage memory of approximately 1.3 Mbytes. An image access unit accesses the image and transfers the image to a printhead interface on command from the central processing unit. The printhead interface transforms the image to a 1600 dpi dithered bi-level CMY image for printing by a monolithic printhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Simon Robert Walmsley, Paul Lapstun
  • Publication number: 20040027599
    Abstract: A color conversion method and apparatus for a compact printer system. An image processor converts a stored image from a first tri-color space to a second tri-color space. Resultant transformation values are read from lookup tables for each color component of the stored image pixels and a single cycle interpolator unit performs linear interpolation to generate a single color component in the second tri-color space in 14 cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20040027596
    Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus for, image conversion. The three color channels of a Bayer mosaic image are up-interpolated from input space to output space. The pixels sampled from each two-dimensional color plane of the Bayer image are convolved with a coefficient kernel for each color. To facilitate reconstruction and resampling, the color space for a dominant pixel color of the Bayer image is effectively rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Simon Robert Walmsley, Paul Lapstun
  • Publication number: 20040027598
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, dithering an image to be printed. Color component values of odd and even pixels of an image are stored in a dither cell. The dither cell is mapped to a staggered dither cell such that lines of odd pixel component values are staggered relative to lines of even pixel component values. Addressing of the staggered dither cell is determined by an address generator that also addresses a buffer storing an up-interpolated image. Corresponding values in the staggered dither cell and the buffer are compared to determine which nozzles of a printhead are fired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20040027597
    Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, dithering an image to be printed. Color component values of odd and even pixels of an image are stored in a dither cell. The dither cell is mapped to a staggered dither cell such that lines of odd pixel component values are staggered relative to lines of even pixel component values. Addressing of the staggered dither cell is determined by an address generator that also addresses a buffer storing an up-interpolated image. Corresponding values in the staggered dither cell and the buffer are compared to determine which nozzles of a printhead are fired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Simon Robert Walmsley
  • Patent number: 6690490
    Abstract: There is provided an image processor for obtaining a correction curve used in a gradation correcting process smoothly and quickly. In the image processor, a curve storing section stores reference correction curves and a correction amount storing section stores correction amounts corresponding to a plurality of specified input density values. A halftone output gradation processing section calculates the correction value to the specified input density value by using the reference correction curve and the set of correction amounts in copying original and calculates a correction value to the remaining input density value by means of interpolation operation for moving one part of the reference correction curve in the direction parallel to the axis of density value and for expanding or compressing in that direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Murakami
  • Patent number: 6677991
    Abstract: A portable display apparatus selectively operable in a still picture mode or a movie mode includes an operating section for allowing the user of the device to select either one of the two modes. In the movie mode, a synchronous movie processing section relates color data fed and color data to be output on an integral multiple basis and thereby synchronizes input color data and output color data. Void pixels where color data are absent are interpolated to generate a plurality of lines. Consequently, three colors R(red), G (green) and B (blue) are output at the same time in synchronism with a vertical timing as well. Therefore, the generated lines can adequately display a picture alone. Not all the color data are stored or processed, as customary with conventional two field memories, but only necessary lines are used for display. In the still picture mode, the color data fed are temporarily stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Ito
  • Patent number: 6671072
    Abstract: A conversion parameter computing section computes conversion parameters corresponding to a position included in a partial space with one edge thereof equal to w/2 (where w is a lattice interval). When L*a*b* value for an input color is inputted, an intra-lattice position computing section computes a position in a lattice space identified by a lattice point identifying section using a conversion table. An interpolation section outputs CMY values corresponding to L*a*b* value by executing interpolation according to conversion parameters retrieved by a conversion parameter retrieving section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Akiko Nagae, Shoji Suzuki, Masayoshi Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6647155
    Abstract: An inclination correction device for correcting an inclination of an image caused when the image is read while the image is inclined from a main scanning direction in an image reading apparatus which scans the image in the main scanning direction and in a sub-scanning direction, by shifting processing to shift the image at least in one direction, wherein there is provided an interpolation processing device which corrects an error that is smaller than a pixel unit and is caused in the shifting processing through interpolation processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Washio, Hideki Morita
  • Patent number: 6642956
    Abstract: The invention relates to a digital camera and the methods for using a digital camera. The digital camera includes a programmable processor that provides for flexible operation of the digital camera. The programmable processor also provides the digital camera manufacturer the capability of economically configuring the digital camera as desired. The programmable processor also provides the digital camera user with on demand specialized imaging modes such as the capture mode and the cineview mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad A. Safai
  • Publication number: 20030202197
    Abstract: As a method of calibrating colors other than primary colors such as secondary colors, the contents of an ink color-separation table are reconstructed. However, it is difficult to reconstruct the ink color-separation table within the limitation of total ink amount permissible for a print sheet. Accordingly, a color patch corresponding to a signal value of a color to be calibrated is formed in a printer, then the signal value is calibrated based on a measured color value of the formed color patch and a target value corresponding to the signal value of the color to be calibrated, and calibration multidimensional table data is generated based on the measured color value of the formed color patch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Hiroshi Mori, Mitsuru Uratani
  • Patent number: 6639691
    Abstract: What is disclosed is method that interpolates missing color components for an original pixel by utilizing color gravities for surrounding blocks of green pixels. A new pixel is output which has complete color information which is a function of the original pixel and interpolated color components. The interpolated pixel is a true representation of both luminance and chrominance information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Tinku Acharya
  • Patent number: 6636629
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an interpolation unit, compensation value calculation unit, and compensation unit. The interpolation unit interpolates the pixel value of each color signal at an interpolation point using the pixel values of pixels in the same color falling within a predetermined interpolation region including the interpolation point, and outputs the pixel value as an interpolated pixel value at the interpolation point for each color signal. The compensation value calculation unit generates a pixel compensation value for compensating the pixel value of the interpolation point using the pixel values of a plurality of pixels around the interpolation point that fall within a compensation region wider than and including the interpolation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: NuCore Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Sasai
  • Patent number: 6633409
    Abstract: The image processing apparatus has nonlinear processing device that performs nonlinear processing on a digital color signal. The nonlinear processing device comprises gray region discriminating device which discriminates whether the digital color signals are present in a gray proximate region including gray signals and region correspondence nonlinear processing device which performs the nonlinear processing differently in accordance with cases where the digital color signals are discriminated as signals inside the gray proximate region being present in the vicinity of the gray signals or as signals outside the gray proximate region being not present in the vicinity of the gray signals by the gray region discriminating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshirou Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6631216
    Abstract: For enabling image enlargement or reduction of high image quality with improved definition, there is disclosed an image interpolating device comprising a memory for storing digital image signal, memory readout means for reading pixel data in succession from the memory, first, second and third consecutive delay means for respectively delaying the image signal Sn, read by the memory readout means, to respectively from pixel signals Sn−1, Sn−2, Sn−3, first, second, third and fourth coefficient generation circuits for generating interpolation coefficients respectively corresponding to the pixel signals Sn, Sn−1, Sn−2, Sn−3 and determined by N-th order functions from the position of the interpolated pixel S′ positioned between the pixel signals Sn−1 and Sn−2, and a signal synthesis circuit for calculating the sum of respective product of pixel signal Sn and interpolation coefficient kn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruo Hieda, Ken Terasawa
  • Patent number: 6625305
    Abstract: A method for operating a data processing system to generate a second image from a first image having partially sampled color values at each pixel. The first image includes a two-dimensional array of pixel values, each of the pixel values corresponding to the light intensity in one of a plurality of spectral bands at a location in the first image. The second image includes a second two-dimensional array of color vectors. Each color vector has a light intensity value for each of the spectral bands. There is one such vector corresponding to each location having a pixel value in the first image. One component of the vector is equal to the pixel value in the first image at that location. The present invention computes the missing color components at each location. The method begins by providing an estimate for each component that is not equal to one of the pixel values from the first image for each vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Daniel Keren
  • Patent number: 6621604
    Abstract: A method for transforming a first image defined by a first multi-dimensional color space (RGB) into second image defined by a second multi-dimensional color space (CMYK). The method computes the transformation using information derived from a previous transformation of said second image into said first image. The method then minimizes the error produced while transforming the second image back into the first image. As such, an image editing system can display on a video monitor an image that is defined in one multi-dimensional color space (RGB), print using a printer that prints images using a second multi-dimensional color space (CMYK) and edit an image using any multi-dimensional color space (either RGB or CMYK) that facilitates rapid and accurate image editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Roxio, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruno DeLean
  • Patent number: 6618503
    Abstract: A method for operating a data processing system to generate a full color image from a partially sampled version of the image. The full color image includes a first two-dimensional array of vectors having components representing the intensity of a pixel in the full color image in a corresponding spectral band at a location determined by the location of the vector in the first two-dimensional array. The method generates the first two-dimensional array from a two-dimensional array of scalars. Each scalar determines one of the first, second, or third intensity values at a corresponding location in the two-dimensional array of vectors. The method determines the remaining ones of the first, second, and third intensity values. The method starts by assigning a value to each one of the components of the vectors in the first two-dimensional array of vectors that is not determined by one of the scalars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Yacov Hel-or, Daniel Keren
  • Patent number: 6614553
    Abstract: An image data interpolation apparatus includes an image data obtaining unit for obtaining image data representing an image as dot-matrix picture elements, a picture element interpolating unit capable of selectively executing one of a plurality of interpolating processes when the image data is interpolated so that the number of constituent picture elements thereof is increased, an interpolating scale factor obtaining unit for obtaining an interpolating scale factor suitable for the image data, and an interpolating process selecting unit for selecting one of the interpolating processes capable of obtaining an optimum result of interpolation according to the interpolating scale factor obtained by the interpolating scale factor obtaining unit and causing the picture element interpolating unit to execute the selected interpolating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nakami, Naoki Kuwata
  • Publication number: 20030160875
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which suppresses appearance of a color moire of a color image signal of a wide dynamic range which is produced using an image signal acquired using, for example, a CCD image sensor of the single plate type or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Tomoo Mitsunaga, Seiji Kobayashi, Hiroaki Ono
  • Patent number: 6611356
    Abstract: When an L*a*b* value of a certain color is outside a target color gamut to be converted, it is judged whether the L*a*b* value is located within the range of the color gamut set under a predetermined condition. This set range is a range in which the accuracy is degraded if colors are converted using only a first method, for example, a range in the neighborhood of the color gamut. If a color to be converted is located within the range, colors are converted using a second method. If the L*a*b* value of the color to be converted is outside of the set range, it is converted using the first method until the conversion result is contained within the range. Then, the occurrence of both a problem which the first conversion method has for colors in the neighborhood of the color gamut when colors are converted and a problem which the second method has in the conversion of a color far from the color gamut can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masayoshi Shimizu, Masahiro Mori, Shoji Suzuki, Satoshi Semba
  • Patent number: 6608943
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing method for performing magnification processing at a specified magnifying power. The method divides the magnification processing at the specified magnifying power into a first magnification processing step and a second magnification processing step and performs the first and second magnification processing steps. A start position of the first magnification processing step and a start position of the second magnification processing step are dislocated relatively to each other so that phases of pixel positions in the first and second magnification processing steps are reversed to each other. There is also provided an image processing apparatus for implementing the method. Artifacts that are generated in image magnification (enlargement and reduction) processing can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuya Hirashima
  • Publication number: 20030147098
    Abstract: A method for converting image data coded with run lengths to the format of a page description language, such as PostScript or PDF, the run lengths identifying how many image points of one color follow one another in an image row, includes utilizing the run lengths of the same color that overlap in successive image rows to form an object, and describing the object with operators from the page description language. Objects of the same color can be combined to form one object. An object is described in the page description language by the image mask operator and an associated bitmap, or by a polygon train that connects reference points on the edge of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Frank Gnutzmann
  • Patent number: 6603888
    Abstract: In multiplying circuits, filter coefficients are multiplied to tap outputs between the stages of delay circuits, respectively. The multiplication outputs are added by an adding circuit, thereby performing an interpolation arithmetic operation. Phase information and coefficient adjustment data are inputted to a coefficient generating circuit. Either the nearest neighborhood approximating method or the bilinear approximating method can be selected by the coefficient adjustment data, and any of the intermediate characteristics between the nearest neighborhood approximating method and the bilinear approximating method, characteristics which are closer to those of the nearest neighborhood approximating method between the nearest neighborhood approximating method and the bilinear approximating method, and characteristics which are closer to those of the bilinear approximating method can be freely set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kikuchi, Koji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 6597819
    Abstract: An interpolated image having high sharpness and no artifacts at a portion of changing transparency can be obtained for image data having the &agr; channel. Upon interpolating original image data SO, whether or not the value of the &agr; channel is 1 for all 4×4 pixels surrounding an interpolation point is judged by judging means. When the value is judged to be 1 for all pixels, the area is judged to be completely opaque and a high degree interpolation operation enabling sharpness increase is carried out by high degree interpolation operation means. If the value is judged to be not 1 for all pixels, a linear interpolation operation such as the pre-multiplied &agr; method is carried out by linear interpolation operation means in order not to create an artifact. The interpolated image data obtained in this manner are composed together with combining image data by image composition controlling means to obtain composite image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Ito
  • Patent number: 6590678
    Abstract: The amount in offset of toner or the like is used to determine two points sandwiching lattice points of input data and divide the region between the two points equally in N−1. The output values at the two points and each point equally dividing the region are obtained to calculate gradients m1-m8 between any two adjacent ones of the points. Then, difference values dm1-dm7 in gradient between any two adjacent ones of the straight lines are calculated and (N−1) lattice points serving as dividing points are selected from the difference values in descending order. It should be noted that N is smaller than M. Then, the input and output values of the determined (N+1) lattice points N0-N4 are plotted and they are bounded by straight line and thus plotted to linearly interpolate the output data for the input data. Thus, an image processing apparatus can be provided capable of precisely modifying output images with reduced memory capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junji Nishigaki, Takayuki Nabeshima, Kazuhiro Ishiguro, Hideyuki Hashimoto, Kenichi Morita, Takashi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6587223
    Abstract: A color signal converter comprises first and second color conversion tables for storing color conversion data that correspond to different external conditions; and a color conversion table data interpolation section for generating, based on color conversion data outputted from the first and second color conversion tables and external conditions, color conversion data for image generation that correspond to external conditions. In the event of change in the external temperature conditions, a color conversion table is generated by interpolating the first and second color conversion tables, which are provided for different conditions, according to the current external temperature conditions. Color reproducibility is thus unaffected by external conditions and optimum color conversion can always be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6587602
    Abstract: There is disclosed a resolution conversion apparatus for converting an original digital image into a digital image having a different number of pixels in accordance with an instructed conversion magnification factor. In the apparatus, a determination circuit determines the number of pixels to be interpolated in each block of the original image and positions where they are interpolated in accordance with the conversion magnification factor. The block includes a predetermined number of pixels of the original image. A converted image generation circuit generates pixel data for the interpolation pixels at the positions where they are interpolated in accordance with a predetermined interpolation equation whose coefficients are determined with the positions and data values of the pixels in the block, and combines the pixel data for the digital original image and the generated pixel data to output a converted digital image. The interpolation equation includes spline functions and Bezier functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Device Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Wakisawa, Naruhiko Kasai, Hiroko Sato, Youichi Watanabe, Hiroyuki Koizumi
  • Patent number: 6584237
    Abstract: An expanded-image generating apparatus is provided for original image data, in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, so as to obtain expanded-image data partitioned into a plurality of blocks, each of which is composed of a plurality of pixels When the magnifying power regarding at least one of a direction along width and a direction along length in the original image data is set, a pixel arranging processor arranges each pixel in the original image data at a position corresponding to a center position of each of the plurality of blocks in accordance with the magnifying power. The expanded-image data corresponding to the magnifying power is generated at pixel generating positions corresponding to the each block by applying a fluency transform to each pixel in the original image data at the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Pentax Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuaki Abe
  • Patent number: 6577778
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for interpolating a digital image in response to a requested degree of sharpness. An adjusting signal representing the requested degree of sharpness will then be generated. The interpolated pixel data are computed based on a 3 order or 4 order interpolation function for three sampling input pixels with an adjustable weight coefficient representing the selected degree of sharpness. The apparatus of the present invention mainly includes: a control interface, a control unit, a vertical interpolation computation module, and a horizontal interpolation module. The vertical interpolation computation module and the horizontal interpolation module are implemented according to an interpolation function derived by the present invention. The control unit comprises a lookup table built according to a scaling function of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Myson Century, Inc.
    Inventors: Tung-Hai Wu, Jen-chung Weng, Jia-der Hsieh, Tsung-yi Tseng
  • Publication number: 20030098986
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved system and methodology for generating ink/media transforms. A preferred methodology comprises one or more of the following steps: selecting the ink type; selecting the color set; selecting the media type; selecting the ink saturation level; generating a set of “linearization” color samples, or “ramps”; measuring the linearization ramps; generating a set of “target” color samples, or “patches”; measuring the target patches; screening the target patches and generating the boundary surface of a printer's gamut; implementing an under-color removal (UCR) and black generation (BG); and building the Printer Profile, Transforms and ICC Color Profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventor: Ioan Pop
  • Patent number: 6567568
    Abstract: A pixel interpolating device using the IM-GPDCT method and capable of preventing noise generation divides an original image into a plurality of blocks and picks up a block to be processed as a target block. Further, an image peripheral to the target block is extracted as a peripheral image. By using the peripheral image as an extension region, DCT transform is carried out. Thereafter, the peripheral image is magnified, and the IM-GPDCT processing is carried by using the magnified image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Nabeshima, Kenichi Morita, Junji Nishigaki, Kazuhiro Ishiguro, Hideyuki Hashimoto, Takashi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 6567192
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading a original line by line, by moving the line image sensor in a direction orthogonal to the line, in which the line sensor is displaced in the line direction in each line to read the image of the original in a checkered pattern of pixels, and for interpolating a pixel in spaces of the said checkered pattern, plural interpolation candidate values for the pixel are determined and one of them is selected according to surrounding pixel values of the said pixel position to be interpolated, thereby reproducing edge portion of the original accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Toyomura, Masakazu Mizusaki, Shoichi Kitagawa, Masanobu Narazaki
  • Patent number: 6563538
    Abstract: An interpolation device performs interpolation of an image in which grid points that output a predetermined color and empty grid points that do not output the predetermined color are arrayed in a checkered configuration. A recording medium stores an image interpolation processing program. A first similarity calculator calculates a first vertical direction similarity and a first horizontal direction similarity. A second similarity calculator calculates a second vertical direction similarity and a second horizontal direction similarity. A similarity calculator determines the similarity in the vertical direction of an empty grid point based on the first vertical similarity and the second horizontal similarity and determines the similarity in the horizontal direction of the empty grid point based on the first horizontal similarity and the second horizontal similarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Utagawa
  • Patent number: 6546157
    Abstract: A number-of-pixels conversion apparatus for converting the number of pixels of an original image or a display apparatus using the same has an interpolation coefficient generator for generating an interpolation coefficient that is obtained by a function with the distance between an interpolation pixel and a reference pixel, said function has a first derivative that is smaller than −1 at least in a partial range, whereby the apparatus enables a pixel data interpolation process that produces a post-conversion image that is low in the degree of blurring even if the original image has a steep density variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Okuno, Jun Someya
  • Patent number: 6539128
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and device for interpolating between a first and second pixel in a video display system, where the first pixel has a first pixel value and a first coordinate on a first axis, and the second pixel has a second pixel value and a second coordinate on the first axis. The invention provides a first intermediate coordinate in between the first and second coordinates on the first axis, and determines a weight factor for the first intermediate coordinate. The weight factor is determined by either inputting the first intermediate coordinate into a first blending function if the first intermediate coordinate is within a first domain, or by inputting the first intermediate coordinate into a second blending function if the first intermediate coordinate is within a second domain. Once the weight factor is determined, a first interpolated value is calculated from a first product of the weight factor and a difference between the first pixel value and the second pixel value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Macronix International Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael M. Lee, Kun-Nan Cheng, Fu-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 6532081
    Abstract: For blending two color transformation look-up tables, the weights used for combining the tables are designed such that transitions from one look-up table to another are smooth and do not create objectionable artifacts. Building the individual weights includes obtaining the position of a given input point from the input color space, both in the input device and an output device gamut. Weight calculation is obtained by (1) if the input color falls in the intersection of predefined percentages of both the input gamut and the output gamut, then a pictorial LUT is used and the weight is set to 1.0; (2) if the input color falls outside the input and/or output gamut, then a graphics LUT is used and the weight is set to 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Ann M. Cecchi, Katherine Loj, Clara Cuciurean-Zapan