Abstract: A system includes a source that rotates about an examination region and emits radiation that traverses the examination region, a radiation sensitive detector array that detects radiation traversing the examination region and generates projection data indicative of the detected radiation, and a projection data de-noiser that de-noises the projection data, wherein the de-noiser de-noises a projection based on a number of detected photons for the projection.

Abstract: Perceptually correct noises simulating a variety of noise patterns or textures may be applied to stereo image pairs each of which comprises a left eye (LE) image and a right eye (RE) image that represent a 3D image. LE and RE images may or may not be noise removed. Depth information of pixels in the LE and RE images may be computed from, or received with, the LE and RE images. Desired noise patterns are modulated onto the 3D image or scene so that the desired noise patterns are perceived to be part of 3D objects or image details, taking into account where the 3D objects or image details are on a z-axis perpendicular to an image rendering screen on which the LE and RE images are rendered.

Abstract: An edge-preserving filtering method and apparatus. The edge-preserving filtering method includes: acquiring an upper edge pixel P(x,y?n), a lower edge pixel P(x,y+m), (m+n) left edge pixels P(x?p,y?), and (m+n) right edge pixels P(x+q,y?) of a pixel to be filtered P(x,y), wherein “x”, “y”, “m”, “n”, “p” and “q” are all positive integers, and “y” takes an integer larger than “y?n” and less than “y+m” in turn; acquiring a filtered pixel value of the pixel to be filtered by using pixel values of the pixel to be filtered, the upper edge pixel, the lower edge pixel, the left edge pixels and the right edge pixels. The edge-preserving filtering method and apparatus in accordance with an embodiment utilize edge information around the pixel to be filtered to swiftly acquire a set of pixels for filtering the pixel to be filtered, and thus implement edge-persevering filtering.

Abstract: In a method and device for improving image rendition by contrast and/or sharpness enhancement the sharpness enhancement is made dependent on the local average luminance value. A mix is made of spatially enhanced image signals is used, wherein for various signal differing spatial frequencies are boosted. The mixing factors for mixing of the boosted signals are dependent on a local average luminance value such that the distribution over frequency bands shifts to higher frequencies and sharper enhancement as the luminance value increases.

Abstract: Noise map for CT images have been estimated by generalizing the prior art even-and-odd views approach. One example is to estimate a noise map from images reconstructed from three sets of independent views. A second example is to estimate a noise map from images reconstructed by using two sets of correlated views. A third example is to estimate a noise map from noise map from two images reconstructed from two sets of independent views while the number of views in each set is unequal. Physical phantom data were employed to validate our proposed noise map estimation methods. In comparison to the existing method, our alternative methods yield reasonably accurate noise map estimation.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a first image processing unit and a second image processing unit. The first image processing unit is configured to calculate a parameter for image processing based on a first image, but not based on a second image, and execute the image processing on the first image using the parameter. The second image processing unit is configured to execute the image processing on the second image using the parameter.

Abstract: In order to generate an X-ray CT image with optimal quality for each part and each region of an object when scanning the object across a plurality of parts using a plane detector, there is provided an X-ray CT apparatus including smoothing means 230 and filtering means 250 for generating a convolution filter on the basis of feature amounts of projection data output from the X-ray detector 12 and superimposing the convolution filter on the projection data, reconstruction means 200 for generating an X-ray CT image of the object by performing a reconstruction operation on the projection data on which the convolution filter is superimposed, and image display means 280 for displaying the image generated by the reconstruction means 200.

Abstract: A system and method using a text extraction application for identifying words with multiple orientations from an image are described. The text extraction application receives an input image, generates progressively blurred images, detects blobs in the blurred images, outputs ellipses over the blobs, detects a word in the input image, orients and normalizes a first version of the word, generates an inverted version of the word, performs OCR on the first version and the inverted version of the word, generates confidence scores for the first version and the inverted version of the word and outputs text associated with the word.

Abstract: A method for determining a position using digital pixel data includes receiving pixel data from a position sensor device at a controller, sorting the received pixel data into pixel banks using the controller, identifying a maximum bank, a close bank, and a far bank using the controller, calculating a close to max ratio using a first equation and a max to far ratio using a second equation using the controller, and determining a position based on said close to max ratio and said far to max ratio.

Abstract: An interpolation computation unit (3B) treats, as positions of interest, positions where pixels within a high-resolution image (D30) occupy when the high-resolution image (D30) is superimposed on a low-resolution image (D01), and for each position of interest, obtains a pixel value for a pixel assumed to exist at the position of interest by performing an interpolation computation using pixel values of a plurality of pixels within the low-resolution image (D01). An interpolation coefficient calculation unit (3A) obtains interpolation coefficients (D3A) having values that increase with increasing strength of correlation of the pixels in the plurality of pixels in the low-resolution image with the pixel of interest, and outputs the interpolation coefficients to the interpolation computation unit (3B). Angles of edges and shapes of edges are not classified into any predetermined patterns; therefore, it is possible to perform suitable interpolation computations regardless of edge shape.

Abstract: A method and a digital filter, for use with photo and video images, includes using a camera or video camera equipped with sensors and an electronic shutter to capture a plurality of frames of low resolution and producing one frame of high resolution. A plurality of frames are exposed. Initial images are in the form of a continuous sequence of frames with high-speed capture. The frequency of the frames is inversely proportional to the magnitude of that part of the light-sensitive region of the sensor that is being scanned. The initial images are aligned and an enhanced image is produced. The enhanced image is filtered using a nonlinear filter which includes a neural network that is pretrained using a test image including radial and sinusoidal test charts, as well as reference points.

Abstract: A hardware architecture is applied to the calculation of a Difference-of-Gaussian filter, which is typically employed in image processing algorithms. The architecture has a modular structure to easily allow the matching of the desired delay/area ratio as well as a high computational accuracy. A new solution is provided for the implementation of multiply-accumulators which allows a significant reduction of area with respect to the conventional architectures.

Abstract: An image processing method is configured to denoise three-dimensional image data. The image processing method includes an image transform step of performing a frequency transform for the three-dimensional image data in the optical axis direction and of calculating three-dimensional transformed image data, an image modulation step of reducing an absolute value of the three-dimensional transformed image data in a specific frequency region and of calculating three-dimensional modulated image data, and an inverse image transform step of performing an inverse frequency transform corresponding to the frequency transform for the three-dimensional modulated image data in the optical axis direction and of calculating three-dimensional inversely transformed image data. The specific frequency region is a part of a predetermined.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a controller to capture one or more images of a conference room using a video camera, generate an illumination model for a plurality of lights associated with the conference room based on the images, and illuminate at least a portion of the lights based on the illumination model during a video conference call that utilizes the video camera, where the video conference call is implemented using an interactive television network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: There are provided embodiments for enhancing the quality of an ultrasound image are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to acquire ultrasound data corresponding to at least one ultrasound image; a storage unit for storing at least one beam profile indicating a spreading degree of an ultrasound beam according to depth based on at least one focusing point; and a processing unit configured to set an amount of blurring corresponding to spreading of the ultrasound beam according to the depth based on the at least one beam profile, and perform a filtering process for compensating the blurring by the spreading of the ultrasound beam based on the ultrasound data and the amount of blurring to enhance quality of the at least one ultrasound image.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an X-ray CT apparatus includes an generation unit, detection unit, processing unit, and reconstruction unit. The generation unit irradiates an object with X-rays. The detection unit includes detection elements corresponding to a plurality of channels, which output detection signals upon detecting X-rays. The processing unit smoothes projection data constituted by numerical values corresponding to signals output from the elements so as to more strongly smooth a portion exhibiting a larger amount of change in the numerical value. The reconstruction unit reconstructs an image by using a plurality of projection data smoothed by the image processing unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards increasing texture filtering performance for texel components represented by more than 8 bits. As the number of bits per component increases, the number of texels that are processed each clock cycle decreases since more bits need to be processed to produce each filtered result. A filtered result may be accumulated over two or more iterations, with each iteration producing a portion of the filtered result. When only a portion of the components for each texel are used, the unused texel components are not processed. Elimination of unnecessary texel processing for unused texel components may improve texture filtering performance.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining device; an image dividing device that divides the image through a fine structure retrieving filter and a basic structure retrieving filter into a detail signal component and a basic signal component, the detail signal component including an edge component, a texture component, and a noise component, and the basic signal component being other than the detail signal component; an image correcting device that retrieves a focused picture cell, determines whether the focused picture cell represents the noise, corrects the detail signal component to reduce the noise component in the focused picture cell when the focused picture cell represents the noise; and an image synthesizing device that synthesizes a basic structure image provided by the basic signal component and a corrected fine structure image provided by the corrected detail signal component.

Abstract: A method for providing a LUT for changing color components of pixels of an image includes generating N two-dimensional slices from a three-dimensional LUT. The N two-dimensional slices are arranged in order from a first two-dimensional slice to an Nth two-dimensional slice. The method includes generating N upsampled slices corresponding to the N two-dimensional slices. The N upsampled slices are arranged in order from a first upsampled slice to an Nth upsampled slice. The method includes forming a first group of slices comprising the N upsampled slices, and forming a second group of slices comprising a second two-dimensional slice of the N two-dimensional slices through the Nth two-dimensional slice and a copy of the Nth two-dimensional slice. The method includes storing the first group of slices and the second group of slices, respectively, in a zero level of a mip map and a first level of the mip map.

Abstract: Devices, systems, apparatuses, methods, and other embodiments associated with bit resolution enhancement are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes logic configured to produce a high-resolution pixel from a low-resolution pixel. The apparatus includes logic configured to classify the high-resolution pixel as being in a smooth region of an image based on at least one of a gradient value and a variance value associated with the low-resolution pixel. The apparatus includes logic configured to selectively re-classify the high-resolution pixel as not being in the smooth region of the image based on a set of neighboring high-resolution pixels associated with high-resolution pixel. The apparatus includes logic configured to selectively filter the high-resolution pixel based on whether the high-resolution pixel remains classified as being in the smooth region of the image.

Abstract: Method for detecting an anomaly on the surface of a tire comprising the following steps in the course of which: A—the image of a given anomaly present on the surface of at least one tire is produced, B—with the aid of a collection of filters, a multivariate image of the said surface is constructed in a space of the filters, in which each pixel is represented in the form of a pixel vector, the components of each pixel vector having a value corresponding to the value of this pixel in the image transformed with the aid of each of the filters of the said collection, C—with the aid of a linear function, this multivariate image is transformed from the space of the filters into a spectral space of given dimension whose variables are the filters or combinations of filters of the said collection, so as to form a spectral image, D—a classifier is constructed by determining, for this anomaly, those zones representative of the spectral space which contain, in a statistically representative manner, the points of the spect

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to image filtering techniques for enhancing image quality. In one embodiment, two filtering techniques are applied on an image. Firstly, an adaptive weighted median filtering operation is performed on an acquired low contrast image corrupted by impulsive noise. Subsequently, a guided image filtering on the image obtained from adaptive weighted median filtering operation to de-blur and enhance the contrast that ultimately assures to preserve the edges of the images. In addition, the image filtering for enhancing image quality is enhanced by several variations of data adaptive guided image filtering and adaptive window sizes for guided image filtering techniques.

Abstract: A denoising apparatus comprising an image input unit which receives pixel data including color information of pixels included in a correction target image, a denoising unit which denoises the pixel data by a weight based averaging method, wherein the weight is set to a maximum value when a difference value between a correction target block and a comparison target block in the correction target image is zero, decreases linearly to zero as the difference value increases until it reaches a threshold value, and is set to zero when the difference value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and an image output unit which outputs the pixel data processed by the denoising unit. The denoising unit assigns a corrected weight value to at least a guaranteed number of comparison target blocks for an impulse block, where an impulse block is a correction target block for which the number of non-zero weight valued comparison target blocks is less than a predetermined guaranteed number.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying existence and occurrence of a contour. The contour presence can be identified by taking a second derivative of a color space (e.g., L*, a*, and b*) value of a rendered image derived utilizing an ICC profile that models behavior of a MFD as a smoothness metric. A moving average filter can be applied to minimize an extraneous peak and trough in the second derivative that can be contributed to noise. The contour can be detected if a filtered second derivative lies outside a given range. The location of the contour can be identified by matching up an input value with corresponding input value of the image. A probability of the contour being visible in a rendered output can be then determined by separately analyzing the color space values. The occurrence and location of contour can be displayed on a user interface to quickly and clearly identify the contour in the image without making physical prints and with minimal human interaction and expenditure.

Abstract: A temporal noise reduction method and a temporal noise reduction device are provided. The temporal noise reduction device includes a temporal filter unit that performs a temporal filtering operation using pixel values (CP) of an N×M array in a current frame and pixel values (FP) of an N×M array located at the same position in a neighboring frame separated by a distance TP from the current frame and a motion filter unit that detects a motion of a pixel image from the resultant values of the temporal filter unit and that eliminates noise of a motion-abundant pixel value using a spatial filter. It is possible to effectively reduce noise of an image to prevent deterioration in image quality of the image and to improve performance of post-processing techniques.

Abstract: A method of determining relief elements on a tire surface includes capturing a three-dimensional image of the surface and assigning to each pixel (i, j) of the image a grey-level value proportional to a topographic elevation of a point corresponding to the pixel, so as to obtain a starting image (ƒ). The method also includes transforming the starting image (ƒ) by a first top-hat operation, with aid of a first structuring element, so as to obtain an image (ƒ1) flattened by differencing, (ƒ1=ƒ—?3,150(ƒ)). The method further includes performing a thresholding operation on the image flattened by differencing, so as to obtain a segmented image, (T<1,30>(ƒ1)=seg1) in which relief elements appear white on a black background.

Abstract: Reference-free compensated imaging makes an estimation of the Fourier phase of a series of images of a target. The Fourier magnitude of the series of images is obtained by dividing the power spectral density of the series of images by an estimate of the power spectral density of atmospheric turbulence from a series of scene based wave front sensor (SBWFS) measurements of the target. A high-resolution image of the target is recovered from the Fourier phase and the Fourier magnitude.

Abstract: Generating a prediction image by performing motion compensation by using a motion vector of an encoded image, with a frame formed of a decoded image serving as a reference frame, to generate a first motion compensation image corresponding to a prediction image; and generating the prediction image by performing a filtering process on at least two motion-compensated images by using a correlation in a time direction included in the first motion compensation image and a second motion compensation image.

Abstract: An adaptive filter includes: an edge direction detection section which discriminates directionality of an input image in each of a plurality of unit regions constituting the input image; a region classification section which classifies the each of the plurality of unit regions into one of a plurality of unit region groups in accordance with to which of a plurality of predetermined groups the directionality of the input image in the each of the plurality of unit regions belongs, the directionality having been discriminated by the edge direction detection section; and a filter process section which calculates a pixel value of the each pixel of an output image by use of a filter coefficient group optimized for a unit region group to which a unit region including the each pixel belongs.

Abstract: A method of acquiring scatter data and image projection data in computed tomography is provided that includes attenuating a radiation source using a pattern of blockers arranged to provide blocked and unblocked regions of the radiation source, and acquiring image data and scatter data of a target using an imaging device. A scatter map in the projection image can be estimated by interpolation and/or extrapolation of the projection image using an appropriately programmed computer, subtracting the estimated scatter map from the projection image to obtain scatter-corrected projections, reconstructing a CBCT volume using a total variation regularization algorithm, and applying an iterative regularization process to suppress the noise level on the reconstructed CBCT volume.

Abstract: A method of noise-robust speech classification is disclosed. Classification parameters are input to a speech classifier from external components. Internal classification parameters are generated in the speech classifier from at least one of the input parameters. A Normalized Auto-correlation Coefficient Function threshold is set. A parameter analyzer is selected according to a signal environment. A speech mode classification is determined based on a noise estimate of multiple frames of input speech.

Abstract: When a recording agent amount limiting process is carried out, a color reproduction range is narrowed, and therefore gradation properties of dark areas are deteriorated and information originally held by an image is sometimes undesirably lost. By obtaining (401) a colorant amount for each target pixel of input color image data, calculating (402) a colorant amount of a peripheral area of the target pixel, and correcting (400) a density range of the input color image data based on the colorant amount of the target pixel and the colorant amount of the peripheral area of the target pixel, amounts of recording agent are limited and reductions in image quality are prevented.

Abstract: In the image processing apparatus, image data is divided into large blocks of a prescribed size and the large blocks are subdivided into small blocks by the dividing unit. The number of isolated points in each large block is then calculated by the large block isolated point calculation unit, and the number of isolated points in each small block is then calculated by the small block isolated point calculation units. It is then determined by the halftone-dot region determination unit whether or not the large block is a halftone-dot region. This determination considers both the number of isolated points in the large block and the number of isolated points in each small block.

Abstract: A symmetric filter arithmetic apparatus includes a first data shuffling unit which reads a first data string that is a plurality of consecutive pieces of data from a register file and extract, from the first data string, a left-side data string that is a plurality of consecutive pieces of data to be multiplied by a left-side filter coefficient that is a filter coefficient on a left side of a center of the coefficients, and a second data shuffling unit which reads a second data string that is a plurality of consecutive pieces of data from the register file and extract, from the second data string, a right-side data string that is a plurality of consecutive pieces of data to be multiplied by a right-side filter coefficient that is a filter coefficient on a right side of the center and is the same value as the left-side filter coefficient.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, partitioning the image into a group of blocks, calculating principle bilateral filtered image components for a first subset of the group of blocks where the principle bilateral filtered image components are not calculated for a second subset of the group of blocks, and applying an infinite impulse response filter to the image using the principle bilateral filtered image components. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In the present invention, subband signals are obtained by performing multiresolution decomposition on image data by using a broad-sense pinwheel framelet that is a set of an approximate filter with no orientation and a plurality of detail filters with respective orientations, and that has a degree. When an image is reconstructed by summing the obtained subband signals, the reconstructed image data is generated by attenuating or amplifying a subband signal corresponding to at least one of filters that have predetermined frequency characteristics and/or a predetermined orientation among the filters.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing and displaying images uses image characteristics of an area of interest of images to optimize or otherwise determine image characteristics of the entire image to be displayed. The area of interest information may be used in computing a System Synchronized Backlight Control (“SSBC”) profile for the area of interest, and the SSBC profile may be used to adjust the image signal to provide an image in which the image characteristics, e.g., are optimized for the image at the area of interest. The image characteristics and/or SSBC profile information may be provided as metadata included in a video signal data stream. The area of interest may be selected where the image is obtained, where the image is shown or elsewhere, e.g., in an image storage device, image player, etc.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically retrieving information regarding optical properties of a scattering medium including receiving a first digital image and a first image quality value associated with the first digital image and sharpness of an edge of the first digital image, producing an optimized image, transforming the optimized image into an optimized optical transfer function, receiving a second digital image and a second image quality value associated with the second digital image and sharpness of an edge of the second digital image, identifying either the first or second digital image as an optimized digital image, and transforming the optimized optical transfer function into an optimized value of the optical parameter.

Abstract: A method includes implementing, through a processor communicatively coupled to a memory and/or a hardware block, a Bilateral Filter (BF) including a spatial filter component and a range filter component, and implementing the spatial filter component with a low-complexity function to allow for focus on the range filter component. The method also includes determining, through the processor, filter tap value(s) related to the range filter component as a function of radiometric distance between a pixel of a video frame and/or an image and other pixels thereof based on a pre-computed corpus of data related to execution of an application in accordance with a filtering requirement of the pixel by the application. Further, the method includes constraining, through the processor, the filter tap value(s) to a form i×base based on the BF implementation. i is an integer and base is a floating point base.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for performing perspective correction using a reflection. Reflective properties of a surface being photographed can be used to determine a rotation of the device taking the photograph relative to the surface. Light sourced or produced by the device can be used to create a reflection spot in the picture. A position of the reflection spot within the picture is calculated and used to determine the rotation. The rotation can be used for performing perspective correction on the picture, or on another picture taken by the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for image enhancement are provided, with which convolution operations can be carried out directly in a filter space, for example in a wavelet space, in particular directly on compressed data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processing command input section to receive image processing commands for image data written into a memory by units of one line, a line number deriving section to derive a number of lines of the image data required to execute image processing operations based on the image processing commands received by the image processing command input section, a line number indicating section to output a numerical value indicating the number of lines of the image data derived by the line number deriving section, a read timing controlling section to control read timing from the memory in response to the numerical value output from the line number indicating section, a parameter indicating section to output parameters used for the image processing operations, and an image processing section to execute the image processing operations.

Abstract: Imaging methods and systems providing wavelength diversity compensation to images distorted by turbulence includes capturing a subject image set in a single image frame, with the images in the set being captured at diverse wavelengths. The compensation includes using an error metric insensitive to variation in object brightness between a region of interest of an image and a corresponding region of interest in a second image in the set that is at a diverse wavelength.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method of obtaining a high resolution image using multi-band combination filters. The apparatus includes a high frequency extraction unit to extract a high frequency image from a low resolution input image through filtering operations performed in parallel, a high frequency expansion unit to expand the high frequency image to generate an expanded high frequency image, an image expansion unit to expand the low resolution input image to generate an expanded input image, and an image combination unit to combine the expanded high frequency image and the expanded input image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing improved de-noising image content by using directional noise filters to accurately estimate a blur kernel from a noisy blurry image. In one embodiment, an image manipulation application applies multiple directional noise filters to an input image to generate multiple filtered images. Each of the directional noise filters has a different orientation with respect to the input image. The image manipulation application determines multiple two-dimensional blur kernels from the respective filtered images. The image manipulation application generates a two- two-dimensional blur kernel for the input image from the two-dimensional blur kernels for the filtered images. The image manipulation application generates a de-blurred version of the input image by executing a de-blurring algorithm based on the two-dimensional blur kernel for the input image.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for outputting an image in an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes an image acquisition module configured to acquire an image to apply an effect, a first filter manager configured to manage generation of a first image corresponding to an effect, a second filter manager configured to manage generation of at least one second image corresponding to an effect of an image, and a graphic processor configured to generate the first image and the second image according to a request of the first filter manager and the second filter manager.

Abstract: Systems and methods of bad pixel cluster detection are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a bad pixel correction module coupled to receive image data and adapted to perform a bad pixel cluster detection process. The bad pixel correction module includes logic to determine whether two test pixels have values that exceed a representative value of a group of surrounding pixels by more than a threshold amount. The threshold amount is determined via a table lookup.

Abstract: A mask correcting unit corrects an externally set mask pattern. A depth map processing unit processes a depth map of an input image for each of a plurality of regions designated by a plurality of mask patterns corrected by the mask correcting unit. An image generation unit generates an image of a different viewpoint on the basis of the input image and depth maps processed by the depth map processing unit. The mask correcting unit performs a blurring process on an object boundary part of the mask pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a deblocking filtering method, a method for inducing bs (boundary strength) therefor, and a method and an apparatus for encoding/decoding using the same. The method for inducing the bS of the present invention comprises the steps of: inducing a boundary of a deblocking filtering unit block as a unit block for applying the deblocking filtering; and setting the bS according to each bS setting unit block within the deblocking filtering unit block, wherein the bS setting step can set a bS value for a target boundary corresponding to a boundary of the deblocking filtering unit block as the bs setting unit block.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus that can suppress a tint phenomenon in image recovery processing and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. A saturation determination unit determines whether or not a saturated pixel is included in a reference region referred to by filter processing units. An R component output adjustment unit and a B component output adjustment unit adjust corresponding color components resulting from image recovery processing according to the determination result obtained by the saturation determination unit.