Abstract: An image processing device includes a separation unit that separates image information including a first image having plural color components and a second image having a specific color component and to be overlaid at least in part on the first image into a specific color component image of the same color component as the specific color component and an image with color components other than the specific color component among the plural color components; a color conversion unit that performs color conversion of the image with color components other than the specific color component, separated by the separation unit; and a combination unit that combines the color-converted image with color components other than the specific color component, converted by the color conversion unit, and the specific color component image separated by the separation unit.

Abstract: Automatic white balance of captured images can be performed based on a gray world assumption. Initially, a flat field gray image is captured for one or more reference illuminations. The statistics of the captured gray image are determined and stored for each reference illumination during a calibration process. For each subsequent captured image, the image is filtered to determine a subset of gray pixels. The gray pixels are further divided into a one or more gray clusters. The average weight of the one or more gray clusters is determined and a distance from the average weights to the reference illuminants is determined. An estimate of the illuminant is determined depending on the distances. White balance gains are applied to the image based on the estimated illuminant.

Abstract: Dropping out of color form backgrounds from images of completed forms to obtain color form dropout images retaining only the respondent information. In one embodiment, a color form image processing method (100) includes retrieving (102) a template image, retrieving (104) a respondent image, registering (106) the images against one another to establish correspondence between pixels in the respondent and template images, dilating (108) the template image, and performing (110) a color form dropout including comparing (112) corresponding pixels in the respondent and dilated template images, and determining (114) whether to keep corresponding pixels by applying (116) a geometric solid threshold comparison to assess both color similarity and relative darkness, and removing (118) pixels from the respondent image based on such comparison.

Abstract: A method, service, and product for hiding a watermark existing in a digital media within a software application, comprising creating a set pattern of pixels represented by coordinates which represent a red, a green, a blue, and an alpha level of color, where the set pattern of pixels covers a set of original pixels within the digital media. The method including determining whether the transparency level of color should be removed from the set pattern of pixels based on a known pixel transparency removal parameter; and modifying the set pattern of pixels to remove the transparency level of color coordinates, wherein an original pixel color can be seen because the set pattern of pixels are made transparent; or not modifying the set of pixels to remove the transparency level of color coordinates, wherein the original pixel color cannot be seen because the set of original pixels is made transparent.

Abstract: The present invention presents a framework for separating specular and diffuse reflection components in images and videos. Each pixel of the an M-channel input image illuminated by N light sources is linearly transformed into a new color space having (M?N) channels. For an RGB image with one light source, the new color space has two color channels (U,V) that are free of specularities and a third channel (S) that contains both specular and diffuse components. When used with multiple light sources, the transformation may be used to produce a specular invariant image. A diffuse RGB image can be obtained by applying a non-linear partial differential equation to an RGB image to iteratively erode the specular component at each pixel. An optional third dimension of time may be added for processing video images. After the specular and diffuse components are separated, dichromatic editing may be used to independently process the diffuse and the specular components to add or suppress visual effects.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for processing an image receives color information including three variables representing a color of each of a plurality of pixels which constitute the image. The system derives a target characteristic value corresponding to a target pixel among the plurality of pixels based on the three variables of the target pixel. The system derives proximate characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of proximate pixels which are proximate to the target pixel. The system replaces the three variables of the target pixel with the three variables of one of the proximate pixels depending on a relationship between the target characteristic value and the proximate characteristic values.

Abstract: Provided is a method of obtaining a monochrome image from a color image, said color image comprising a plurality of color pixels, and having at least two color channels, each pixel of said plurality of color pixels comprising a value for each color channel of said at least two color channels, said monochrome image comprising a plurality of monochrome pixels, each monochrome pixel having a value for a monochrome channel, the method comprising: calculating a local weighting factor for each color channel of each pixel of said color image; calculating said value of said monochrome channel for each pixel as a sum over said at least three color channels of products of said local weighting factor and said value for each color channel.

Abstract: A method for compressing an elevation map by means of digital image processing, according to which local and global parameters of an elevation map are calculated for sorting the elevation map into a corresponding category and the elevation map is categorized according to the calculated local and global parameters. Optimal parameters for compressing the elevation map are determined according to the calculated local and global parameters and according to the corresponding category and then the elevation map is compressed by applying on it digital image processing by using the determined optimal compression parameters.

Abstract: A method is provided for correcting undesired eye color in a digital image. Color information from the digital image is used to identify an orthogonal color channel. The orthogonal color channel is a channel corresponding to a color that is orthogonal to the undesired color. Information from the orthogonal color channel is used to perform channel mixing. The channel mixing is selectively applied to the original digital image using a masking effect to retain certain portions of the original image and replace certain portions of the original image with the channel-mixed image. This method achieves natural-looking black pupils and preserves specular reflections to conceal the fact that the digital image has been corrected.

Abstract: A method for generating a non-graphical digital image from an original digital image includes the following steps: performing edge detection to generate a third digital image, performing screen dot detection to detect the photo regions in the original digital image, detecting color regions in the original digital image, removing the photo regions and the color regions from the third digital image to generate the non-graphical digital image.

Abstract: A printer driver of a Non-PC controls to quantize image data at quantization resolution (resolution 1), convert the quantized data into data resolution (resolution 2), and then transfer the data of the data resolution to an engine unit of an image output apparatus. The engine unit converts the data resolution of the received data into recording resolution (resolution 3) for a recording medium. Here, the quantization resolution is set to be lower than the data resolution. Thus, processing loads in the image processing unit can be reduced, whereby it is possible to provide image output capable of maintaining image quality and speed even under the circumstance that there is no sufficient memory and high-speed CPU, and to provide image output capable of maintaining image quality and speed according to a matrix recording method flexibly coping with various environments and minimizing the load in the engine unit.

Abstract: Whether or not a discoloring motion has been performed by a player character is determined, and a discoloration portion set for the determined discoloring motion is discolored. A discolored mark texture of which the discolored mark pattern is denser and of a thicker color is mapped as a current discoloration value set to the discoloration portion becomes larger. The current discoloration value is added and updated by a discoloration unit set based on the stadium in which the game is performed and the game day weather each time the discoloring motion is performed.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes a selector, an image sensing unit, a memory unit, an image combining unit and a recording unit. The selector is used to select a main object. The image sensing unit senses a plurality of images including the main object. The memory unit stores the plurality of images. The image combining unit combines the plurality of images stored in the memory unit to generate a combined image in which the main object appears to be stopped and an object other than the main object appears to be flowing. The recording unit compresses the combined image and records the compressed combined image on a recording medium.

Abstract: An iris color correction apparatus has a skin color identification section which identifies the skin color of a photographed person in an inputted image, a skin correction color calculation section which obtains a skin correction color that is an iris color of said person that should be shown in said image based on the skin color identified by said skin color identification section, a brightness estimation section which estimates a brightness before a color tone abnormality occurs in pixels of an iris portion of said photographed person from a value of said pixels, and a correction section which corrects the iris color of said photographed person based on said estimated brightness and a correction reference color based on said skin correction color.

Abstract: A display driver for outputting gradation voltages corresponding to gradation data from an external device to pixels. The display driver includes a generator for generating a plurality of gradation voltages having a plurality of levels based on a reference voltage, and a selector for selecting at least one gradation voltage corresponding to the gradation data from the plurality of gradation voltages generated by the generator. The gradation data includes multi-bits for each color of red, green and blue, and the generator outputs or stops outputting each gradation voltage according to data for color reduction from the external device. The generator stops outputting at least one gradation voltage that is unnecessary for displaying as a result of the color reduction, when the color of the gradation data is reduced according to the data for color reduction.

Abstract: An image processing method and an image processing apparatus capable of correcting with high efficiency a specific part are provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an original photographed image file is acquired. If face region information is added to the original photographed image file, this face region information is acquired. Subsequently, a first decoding region is determined based on the acquired face region information, and the first decoding region is decoded to the original photographed image file to generate first decoded image data. Subsequently, a red-eye region is detected from the generated first decoded image data, and specific part position information about a position of this red-eye region is acquired. Subsequently, the original photographed image file is decoded to generate second decoded image data, and a red-eye is corrected for the second decoded image data, based on the acquired specific part position information.

Abstract: Red-eye area detection accuracy is improved according to a pattern of appearance of red-eye areas generated frequently in an actual photography environment. A red-eye candidate area finding unit finds red-eye candidate areas in a digital photograph image, by using reference data. A display unit displays the image with the red-eye candidate areas having been marked and preliminary corrected. A user can specify an unfound red-eye area and an erroneously specified area by using a specification unit 22. An update unit 24 updates the reference data by learning a characteristic of the unfound red-eye area and the erroneously specified area so that a probability becomes higher regarding detection of an area having a characteristic similar to the unfound red-eye area as a red-eye candidate area while becomes lower regarding detection of an area having a characteristic similar to the erroneously specified area as a red-eye area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for erasing in a digital image. A method includes identifying a plurality of tip regions on the image, establishing an erasure color, and completely erasing pixels in the tip region that have a color matching the erasure color. Pixels having partially matching colors are partially erased and color decontaminated.

Abstract: A representative color calculation section calculates a representative color representing a region, which is a subject of color adjustment in an input image. A color adjustment distance calculation section calculates, as a color adjustment distance, a Euclidean distance on a color space between the representative color calculated by the representative color calculation section and a given target color. A reproduction color calculation section calculates a reproduction color expressing the adjusted color of the region, which is the subject of the color adjustment, in such a manner that the colors of the region is adjusted on the basis of the color adjustment distance so that the colors of the region is adjusted little when the color adjustment distance is long, but the color of the region is brought near to the target color when the color adjustment distance is short.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus accurately and automatically determines whether a page to be printed out or rendered is a color page or a monochrome page. In order to efficiently output the page, color/monochrome determination is performed to the page by examining all the pixels forming a bitmap image based on the bitmap image and an attribute bitmap image.

Abstract: A method of color image processing comprises at least the following steps: the color image is converted into an intermediate image comprising components that depend solely on the H and S components of the original image in an HSV or HLS representation; the intermediate image comprising at least two components X and Y, determined by functions especially of the H component, these functions taking the same value when the H component is zero or equal to one; a new image comprising only one component is generated from the intermediate image, the component of this new image being a function of the components of the intermediate image. The disclosed method can be applied especially to the heightening of contrast in remote surveillance, and to image processing before segmentation in mobile robotics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing color manipulation using virtual gamuts. In one aspect of the invention, a method to perform color manipulation on a digital processing system includes: performing color manipulation using a virtual gamut of a device if a real gamut of the device is poor in quality. When the real gamut of the device is wide, color manipulations are performed using the real gamut of the device. In one example according to this aspect, whether or not the real gamut of the device is poor in quality is determined by comparing an area of the real gamut with a threshold gamut area in a chromaticity diagram. A virtual profile of the device specifies the virtual gamut of the device.

Abstract: Properties of pixels in a digital image are sampled within different subdivisions of an editing tool impression to produce different property distributions. The different subdivisions can automatically alter their size, geometry, and/or location, based on image content within one or more of the subdivisions, in order to encompass a set of pixels having a substantially uniform distribution of a pixel property. Uniformity can be defined relative to the editing operation or context of the image. The property distributions from each region are classified to identify different edit classes within the property space, which are then used to apply an edit effect to the digital image within the tool impression. The edit classes may be represented by an edit profile in two or more dimensions.

Abstract: Images are offloaded from a portable camera automatically to a network server at the time the images are taken, transparently to a user of the camera. The server executes processing functions on the images and returns the output of the processing over the network to the camera and/or other user-defined destination device to thereby relieve the camera processor of potentially complex processing chores.

Abstract: An album with the color arrangement harmonized with images is provided. An album creating apparatus for creating an album including a plurality of images includes: a color extraction section for extracting a plurality of colors included in the plurality of images; an appearance frequency of color calculating section for calculating the appearance frequency of the plurality of colors extracted by the color extraction section; a characteristic color determining section for determining characteristic colors which are colors characteristic of the plurality of images based on the appearance frequency of the plurality of colors calculated by the appearance frequency of color calculating section; and a template color selecting section for selecting colors for template which are used for a template of the album including the plurality of images based on the characteristic colors determined by the characteristic color determining section.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a feature value detecting section, an image processing section, and an audio processing section. The feature value detecting section determines, when a first image and a second image that are captured at different positions include a specific subject, a feature value of the subject included in the supplied first and second images. The image processing section detects motion of the subject on the basis of the feature value determined by the feature value detecting section. The audio processing section localizes a sound image of the subject in accordance with the motion of the subject detected by the image processing section.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a cartoon are provided. The method includes receiving a digital image for processing at a server. The method includes executing a color structure coding procedure to produce a color-reduced interim image. The method includes generating a sketch from the digital image with a Difference of Gaussian procedure. The method includes combining the color-reduced interim image and the sketch into a processed cartoon.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing eye coloration artifacts in an image. In the system and method, an eye is detected in the image and a pupil color for the eye in the image and a skin color of skin in the image associated with the eye are determined. At least one region of artifact coloration in the eye in the image is then identified based on the pupil color and the skin color, and a coloration of the region is modified to compensate for the artifact coloration.

Abstract: The subject application is directed to a system and method for isolating near achromatic pixels of a digital image. First, image data encoded as a plurality of pixels is received, with each pixel having component values in a multi-dimensional color space. From the received image data, chroma data is extracted. Histogram data is then calculated from the extracted chroma data. An adapted threshold value is then determined based upon the calculated histogram data. Component values of the plurality of pixels are then compared to the determined adapted threshold value. Isolation of pixels as near achromatic then occurs in accordance with the output of the comparison of the adapted threshold value to the component values.

Abstract: It is possible to compatibly set multiple “dropout” color ranges and “non-dropout” color ranges and uniquely determine a dropout boundary. An object of the present invention is to greatly conserve maintenance cost of adding a new dropout form after apparatus operations. A conventional technology aims at assuring relation to a predetermined color region, determining the presence or absence of contention, or uniquely settling a dropout boundary. The present invention provides a means for supplying levels to a “dropout” color range and a “non-dropout” color range. A registered color range histogram can be quasi-three-dimensionally visualized so that an operator can make adjustment by viewing a contention determination result and an image.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that determines a background image for a sequence of image frames. During operation, the system receives a sequence of input image-frames, wherein an input image-frame associates pixels with pixel-attributes. The system then computes a labeling, wherein the labeling associates pixels in the output background image with input image-frames in the sequence of input image-frames. Next, the system determines the output background image using the sequence of input image-frames and the labeling.

Abstract: An original image is received. The original image is divided into tiles. A whitepoint value of each tile is determined. A blackpoint value of each tile is determined. A whitepoint value of each pixel in the image is determined by interpolating the determined whitepoint values of neighboring tiles. A blackpoint of each pixel in the image is determined by interpolating the determined blackpoint values of neighboring tiles.

Abstract: A business form processing program to cause a computer to execute a character box-image reading step for reading by a scanner all colors of a business form with blank character boxes and storing them as character box images, a business form reading step for reading by a scanner a recognized image from which colors of unwanted recognized parts on a filled-out business form are dropped out and storing it, a character recognizing step for recognizing characters on the recognized image, and a composite display step for displaying the character recognized results and a filled-out business form image in which the recognized image is superposed on the character box image when character recognized results need correted.

Abstract: The image processor is connected to an image output apparatus or an image input apparatus, and has an image processing unit which performs predetermined image processing on image data using photographing information, a preprocessing unit which performs preprocessing on the image data, and a determination unit which determines whether the image output apparatus and the image input apparatus include the image processing unit or not. When the image output apparatus and the image input apparatus do not include the image processing unit, the determination unit determines that the image processor performs the preprocessing and the image processing. The image processing system has two image processors equipped with an image input function and an image output function, respectively.

Abstract: In a method or computer program product for trapping of image data, the image data in an output image per image point is prepared as color separation data, and the image data is processed.

Abstract: A system and process for automatically learning a reliable color-based tracking system is presented. The tracking system is learned by using information produced by an initial object model in combination with an initial tracking function to probabilistically determine the configuration of one or more target objects in a temporal sequence of images, and a data acquisition function for gathering observations relating to color in each image. The observations gathered by the data acquisition function include information that is relevant to parameters desired for a final color-based object model. A learning function then uses probabilistic methods to determine conditional probabilistic relationships between the observations and probabilistic target configuration information to learn a color-based object model automatically tailored to specific target objects.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a color calibration method includes rendering a color image, in response to a user selecting an adjustment to a color in the image, making a perceptually uniform adjustment to the color in the image, and rendering an adjusted color image reflecting the adjustment made to the color in the image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for generating several single-color images from a multicolor image of a sample or object defined by intensity pixels (I?(x,y), I?(x,y), I?)(x,y)) of at least two color channels (?, ?, ?) in order to identify properties of structures of the object or sample or/and identify inherent colors of the object or sample or colors added thereto by a coloring treatment. The single-color images are defined by intensity pixels of only one of the color channels, intensity pixels of several of the color channels having the same intensity ratio among the color channels for all intensity pixels, or intensity pixels of only one resulting color channel that corresponds to a defined combination of the color channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining missing color pixel values in image data (i.e., for demosaicing image data) using a small number of lines in a buffer memory. Pixel values are interpolated in a horizontal or a vertical direction based on gradient scores. Interpolation direction selection can be refined based on a chroma scores or morphological operations. A chroma blurring technique to reduce false color artifacts is also disclosed. A disclosed embodiment can be implemented in an imager having as few as three buffer lines.

Abstract: An image processing device has a storage unit, a read-out unit, a color information generating unit, a color information converting unit and a color replacing unit. The storage unit stores color information of spot colors. The read-out unit reads out the color information from the storage unit. The color information generating unit generates color information of an alternate color based on the color information of the spot color. The color information converting unit generates each of first and second color information, the first color information is generated by converting the color information of the color plate for which color replacement is instructed into the color information of the spot color, the second color information is generated by converting the color information of the color plate for which the color replacement is instructed into the color information of the alternate color. The color replacing unit generates new color information.

Abstract: Digital ink strokes may be fragmented to form a training data set. A neighborhood graph may be formed as a plurality of connected nodes. Relevant features of the training data may be determined in each fragment such as local site features, interaction features, and/or part-label interaction features. Using a conditional random field which may include a hidden random field modeling parameters may be developed to provide a training model to determine a posterior probability of the labels given observed data. In this manner, the training model may be used to predict a label for an observed ink stroke. The modeling parameters may be learned from only a portion of the set of ink strokes in an unsupervised way. For example, many compound objects may include compositional parts. In some cases, appropriate compositional parts may be discovered or inferred during training of the model based on the training data.

Abstract: A vehicle navigation apparatus is provided which can reliably guide a vehicle along a guidance route when the vehicle approaches an intersection of interest at which it is to make a turn even if another intersection exists between a vehicle position and the intersection of interest. A controller determines whether or not another intersection exists between the vehicle position and the next guidance intersection (an intersection at which the vehicle is to make a turn) when the vehicle reaches a predetermined distance from the guidance intersection. If another intersection is determined to exist, an intersection guidance map with an arrow indicative of the guidance route colored in a predetermined color is displayed on a display device. In one embodiment, if another intersection does not exist between the vehicle and the guidance intersection, the color of the arrow displayed is changed to a different color.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a first area extraction unit that extracts as a first area an area assuming an intensity value equal to or greater than a first threshold value from an image; a second area extraction unit that extracts as a second area an area assuming an intensity value equal to or greater than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold value from the image; a light source area designating unit that designates as a light source area an area in the image containing a light source based upon characteristic quantities indicating characteristics of the first area and the second area; and a control unit that controls the first area extraction unit, the second area extraction unit and the light source area designating unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including an image reading mechanism, a display, a memory, an image processing mechanism, an image creating mechanism, and a controller. The image processing mechanism performs first and second corrections using the plurality of stepped values. The image creating mechanism creates first and second subtractive images based on a first corrected image corrected by the first correction and a second corrected image corrected by the second correction. The controller controls the display to display the input image, the first corrected image, the final corrected image, the first subtractive image, and the second subtractive image in a screen image. A method of image processing and a computer readable data storing medium storing a program for image processing are also described.

Abstract: An image retrieval method and apparatus independent of an illumination change are provided. The image retrieval method involves: inputting a query image; detecting an illumination color from the query image and converting the illumination color into a standard illumination color; extracting color information of the query image by using color descriptors; and retrieving a similar image by comparing the extracted color information with color information of a database which converts a variety of images into images of standard illumination colors and extracts and stores the color information of the images in advance. According to the method, without changing the structures of color descriptors or a similarity comparison using color information, an image retrieval independent of illumination changes is enabled by adding only a preceding step of standard illumination conversion.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus reads an original by R, G and B sensors and a monochromatic sensor, and includes Log conversion means for subjecting signals produced by the reading to Log conversion. When two-color printing is performed, Log conversion parameters are individually set for one of signals produced by the reading of the R, G and B sensors and for a signal produced by the reading of the monochromatic sensor.

Abstract: A method of estimating, illuminant comprises minimising a Minkowski norm with illuminant constraints. The norm is preferably between 3 and 7 and most preferably between 4 and 6. The method is used to remove the colour of an illuminant from an image.

Abstract: A color interpolation method of an image sensor including a pixel array which green, red and blue pixels are arrayed in Bayer pattern is provided. The method includes: calculating a first average value of first values filtered by green pixels on even rows and a second average value of a second values filtered by green pixels on odd rows; comparing a value difference between the first average value and the second average value with a standard value; and performing one of a normal interpolation method and a compensation interpolation method with respect to the values filtered by the green pixels according to the comparison.

Abstract: An imaging device and method for producing an infrared (IR) filtered digital image of a scene of interest uses IR image signals derived from light transmitted through infrared pass filters of a color filter array to remove IR light components of color image signals derived from light transmitted through color pass filters of the color filter array. The color and IR image signals are generated using an image sensor that includes an imaging array and the color filter array.

Abstract: Image data of a color patch is created using a printer profile according to a color conversion method and the image output apparatus 3 prints and outputs the color patch on a storage medium using the image data of this color patch. The color of each color patch recorded on the above-described storage medium is measured using the colorimeter 20, and the matching accuracy calculation section 8 calculates the accuracy (CRI) of color matching using the measurement data of the measurement result. The matching accuracy decision section 9 compares the CRI and a present threshold TH, decides the quality of the accuracy of color matching and notifies the decision result.