Intensity, Brightness, Contrast, Or Shading Correction Patents (Class 382/274)
  • Patent number: 8817039
    Abstract: Provided is an image processing device which enables image display that takes full advantage of a color reproduction performance of a panel without providing a viewer with a feeling of strangeness. An image processing device includes: a color gamut conversion processor configured to convert inputted data into RGB data according to a liquid crystal panel; a weighting factor calculator configured to calculate a weighting factor; a first post-color-gamut-conversion data weighting processor configured to perform weighting processing to the RGB data; an inputted data weighting processor configured to perform weighting processing to the inputted data; and an output adder configured to add data after the weighting processing to generate RGB data to be supplied to the liquid crystal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Xiaomang Zhang, Akiko Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8817038
    Abstract: A display apparatus, which adjusts a luminance value of an image, and a method for driving the same are disclosed. The display apparatus includes a first image conversion unit that converts first image data into a plurality of second image data each including a luminance value, a luminance analysis unit that determines quantities of luminance values of the second image data, and determines a distribution of the luminance values, and a luminance adjustment unit that adjusts the respective luminance values of the second image data based on the quantities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Seok Choi, Byung-Ki Chun, Jong-Woong Park, Joo-Hyung Lee
  • Publication number: 20140233862
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and techniques for providing adaptable Local Area Processing (LAP) contrast enhancement of imagery by redistributing pixel intensity values in a dynamic range of an imaging device according to a packed statistical distribution function, wherein the redistribution is achieved according to a recursive packing factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: RAYTHEON COMPANY
  • Patent number: 8810658
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for estimating color for pixels in an infrared image. In one embodiment, an infrared image is received which has been captured using a N-band infrared imaging system comprising a multi-spectral camera or a hyperspectral camera. The IR image is composed of an array of pixels with N intensity values having been collected for each pixel in the image. Then, for each pixel of interest, a search metric is used to search a database of vector samples to identify a visible-IR set which is closest to the intensity values of the IR band vector collected for the pixel. A visible vector representation is then estimated for the pixel based upon the visible portion corresponding to the closest visible-IR set. Thereafter, color coordinates for this pixel are computed from the visible vector. The method repeats for all pixels of interest in the IR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Sandra Skaff, Raja Bala, Lalit Keshav Mestha, Beilei Xu
  • Patent number: 8811707
    Abstract: A system and method for distributed and coordinated image processing of tomographic images utilizing processors on a medical imaging device and a separate workstation is disclosed. The system includes an image acquisition device to acquire image data of a subject and an image processor to receive the image data therefrom. The image processor is programmed to reconstruct initial images of a region-of-interest (ROI) from the image data, identify initial images on which to perform image correction, and generate an image correction request for the images identified for image correction, with the image correction request specifying a processing operation to be performed on the respective images. The image processor is further programmed to transfer the reconstructed initial images to a separate workstation that automatically initiates the image correction upon verifying a presence of an image correction request on the initial images so as to generate corrected images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Irvin Jackson, Darin Robert Okerlund, Bernhard Erich Hermann Claus, Maria Iatrou, Jed Douglas Pack
  • Patent number: 8811668
    Abstract: In a method for controlling a headlamp system for a vehicle, the headlamp system having two headlamps, set apart from each other, road users are detected in front of the vehicle in the driving direction, and a first total light pattern is able to be produced, in which the illumination range on a first side of a center axis is greater than on the other, second side of this center axis, and a second total light pattern is able to be produced, in which the total light pattern is controllable such that it has an illumination range in the direction of at least one detected road user that is less than the distance to the detected road user, and which has an illumination range in another direction that is greater than the distance to the detected road user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Karsten Dierks, Martin Freese, Bernd Jahrsau
  • Patent number: 8811768
    Abstract: A method and system for imaging information comprising at least one processor for processing information; a light source for illuminating first and second locations; a spatial receiver located at the second location for receiving the illuminating light comprising an array of pixel locations for detecting high resolution spatial information concerning the illuminating light; the spatial receiver being operatively connected, to the at least one processor and operating to transmit high resolution spatial information correlated to specific intervals of time to the processor; the at least one receiver operatively connected to the processor(s) and operative to receive light reflected from a subject and operating to transmit low resolution spatial information to the processor correlated to specific intervals of time; the processor operating to correlate a response by the at least one receiver with spatial information derived from the spatial receiver at correlating time intervals to create a high resolution image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ronald Everett Meyers, Keith Scott Deacon
  • Patent number: 8811490
    Abstract: Inter-color image prediction is based on multi-channel multiple regression (MMR) models. Image prediction is applied to the efficient coding of images and video signals of high dynamic range. MMR models may include first order parameters, second order parameters, and cross-pixel parameters. MMR models using extension parameters incorporating neighbor pixel relations are also presented. Using minimum means-square error criteria, closed form solutions for the prediction parameters are presented for a variety of MMR models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Guan-Ming Su, Sheng Qu, Hubert Koepfer, Yufei Yuan, Samir Hulyalkar
  • Patent number: 8810696
    Abstract: A blemish detection method includes the following steps: capturing a first image using an image sensor; adjusting the brightness of the first image to obtain a second image; calculating a brightness ratio of each pixel in the second image; marking the pixels of which the brightness ratios are greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value as “1”, and marking the other pixels as “0”; calculating the quantity of pixels in a continuous area in which all pixels are marked as “1”; and determining that the continuous area is a blemish if the quantity of pixels in the continuous area is greater than or equal to a predetermined pixel quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Min Ning
  • Patent number: 8805041
    Abstract: A feature value is extracted from a boundary region that is located between a contrast-agent injection region and a background region in a subtraction image, a gradation curve depending on the feature value is generated, and gradation processing is performed by applying the gradation curve to the subtraction image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideaki Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8805071
    Abstract: There are provided an image processing method and an imaging device module capable of properly calculating a black level when brightness on the positive maximum value side in a brightness histogram of an optical black region are clipped to an upper limit brightness, that is, when brightness on the positive maximum value side in a brightness histogram of an optical black region exceed an upper limit brightness. An image processing method includes forming a brightness histogram of pixels in an optical black region of an imaging face of an imaging device; shifting the brightness histogram toward where a brightness pixel value is zero until a peak value of the brightness histogram becomes smaller than an upper limit of a pixel value, when the peak value is equal to or larger than the upper limit brightness of the pixel value; and calculating a black level based on a peak value which became smaller than the upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Shinsuke Tachibana
  • Patent number: 8804190
    Abstract: A method including the steps of obtaining an original image, generating a converted image by converting a gradation of a pixel of the original image into a prescribed gradations for an image forming apparatus to express, outputting a dot pattern image through a nozzle based on a predetermined dot pattern signal, generating nozzle characteristic information of the nozzle based on the dot pattern image, generating simulation information based on the converted image and the nozzle characteristic information, generating converted simulation information by converting the simulation information to the same gradation as that of the pixel of the original image, comparing the converted simulation information with the original image, and calculating an error between the original image and the converted simulation information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunobu Takagi, Toshihito Kamei, Masanori Hirano
  • Patent number: 8803904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing a video image for a display device. In order to reduce the visibility of transition regions in the processed image, the method comprises a step of application of a third video pattern to at least one part of the image, the third video pattern resulting from the spatial interleaving of a first video pattern and at least one second video pattern according to a determined model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Hassane Guermoud, Jonathan Kervec, Emmanuel Jolly
  • Patent number: 8803765
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus sequentially provides a display device with a plurality of image output including a first image, a second image set to become at least a part of an image that is not correlated with the first image when luminance values of pixels of the first image are added to it, and a third image set to become an image, which is obtained by adding luminance values of pixels of all pluralities of images, higher spatial-frequency components than those of the first image. The image processing apparatus has an optical shutter control unit for controlling an optical shutter provided between the display device and a viewer to make the shutter be in a light transmission state while a part of or all the first image is displayed, and in a light interception state while other images are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Daigo Miyasaka, Masao Imai
  • Patent number: 8804013
    Abstract: Provided is a method of calculating a compensation factor to compensate for lens shading due to the characteristics of an image capturing device, which requires a small amount of memory. A reference image is captured, and a compensation factor is calculated using the characteristics of a lens shading pattern of the captured reference image. A distribution of pixel values is approximated using an exponential spline function, and a compensation factor is calculated using the approximated distribution. In addition, a method and an apparatus for compensating for lens shading by using a calculated compensation factor are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Jin Park, Deepak Chandra Bijalwan, Raghubansh B. Gupta
  • Publication number: 20140218571
    Abstract: An image processing method includes searching a plurality of reference image blocks with pixel patterns identical to a pixel pattern of a main image block in image data; generating a plurality of weight values according to brightness values of pixels of the main image block and brightness values of pixels of the plurality of reference image blocks; summing values of multiplying the plurality of weight values with brightness values of center pixels of the corresponding main image block and the corresponding reference image blocks to generate a sum result; generating a first brightness value according to the sum result and a normalizing factor; and updating the brightness value of the center pixel of the main image block according to the first brightness value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Etron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Shin-Shiuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 8798393
    Abstract: An image comprising varying illumination is selected. Patches of pixels from among the plurality of pixels with the image are identified. Similarities between pairs of patches of pixels based on pixel intensities associated with the pairs of patches of pixels are calculated. Illumination values for the plurality of pixels within the image based on the calculated similarities between the pairs of patches of pixels is calculated. The illumination variation from the image is removed based on the calculated illumination values for the plurality of pixels within the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Kwatra, Mei Han
  • Patent number: 8798392
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, organizing information relevant to the image according to a smooth-illumination constraint enforcing a Laplacian filter response such that ?2ƒ(x, y)=0 and utilizing the smooth-illumination constraint to generate an intrinsic image from the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Neil Stein, Casey Arthur Smith
  • Patent number: 8797422
    Abstract: The present invention can provide solutions to many common imaging problems, such as, for example, unevenly distributed illumination, shadows, white balance adjustment, colored ambient light and high dynamic range imaging. Imaging systems and methods can be provided through a computer (e.g., laptop or desktop) such that the system or method can take advantage of the computer's processing power to provide functionality that goes beyond typical camera. Such an imaging system may include an imaging device, a camera, a light source and a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Peter H. Mahowald
  • Publication number: 20140212032
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an extraction section that extracts a first high brightness region from a source image where brightness is a first threshold value or greater, a mask generation section that performs blur processing and binarization processing on the first high brightness region and generates a mask containing the first high brightness region, a mask application section that based on the mask performs elimination processing, thinning processing, or both on the first high brightness region, a bright line generation section that generates a bright line based on a second high brightness region contained in output of the mask application section, and a synthesizing section that synthesizes the bright line onto the source image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventors: Daisuke Maruta, Senshu Igarashi, Yuji Umezu
  • Patent number: 8792965
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of methods of and systems for detecting and biopsying lesions with a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system. The system comprises, in some embodiments, a CBCT device configured to output a cone beam CT image of at least a portion of a patient's breast and a multi-axis transport module, having at least three degrees of freedom and configured to position a biopsy needle within a 3D frame of reference based on inputs received from the cone beam CT device. The transport module can be configured to place the biopsy needle adjacent to, or within, a target of interest within the breast. Also disclosed are embodiments of methods of and systems for testing CBCT systems with phantoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Koning Corporation
    Inventors: Ruola Ning, David L. Conover, Yong Yu
  • Patent number: 8792704
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying images of internal anatomy includes an image processing device configured to provide high resolution images of the surgical field from low resolution scans during the procedure. The image processing device digitally manipulates a previously-obtained high resolution baseline image to produce many representative images based on permutations of movement of the baseline image. During the procedure a representative image is selected having an acceptable degree of correlation to the new low resolution image. The selected representative image and the new image are merged to provide a higher resolution image of the surgical field. The image processing device is also configured to provide interactive movement of the displayed image based on movement of the imaging device, and to permit placement of annotations on the displayed image to facilitate communication between the radiology technician and the surgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: SafeRay Spine LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Isaacs
  • Patent number: 8792708
    Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus that may generate a three-dimensional (3D) object from a two-dimensional (2D) image, and render the generated 3D object. Light source information may be extracted from the 2D image using a characteristic of the 2D image, and property information associated with the 2D image may be extracted based on the light source information. In particular, specular information, scattering information, and the like may be stored in a database using a plurality of samples. Since specular information or scattering information similar to an input image may be retrieved from the data base, property information may be quickly extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun Jung Shim
  • Patent number: 8792025
    Abstract: According to embodiments, an image processing apparatus includes an image signal holding unit. The image processing apparatus uses an image signal passing through the common image signal holding unit to generate first, second and third correction values. The first correction value is a signal value applied to a pixel in which saturation of an output occurs in a saturation determination. The second correction value is a signal value subjected to a noise cancellation process. The third correction value is a signal value applied to a pixel in which defect occurs in a defect determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shiroshi Kanemitsu, Tatsuji Ashitani, Yukiyasu Tatsuzawa
  • Patent number: 8792679
    Abstract: A face is detected within a camera's field despite inadequate illumination. In various embodiments, multiple images of the inadequately illuminated field of view are obtained and summed into a composite image. The composite image is tone-mapped based on a facial lighting model, and a bounded group of pixels in the tone-mapped image having a lighting distribution indicative of a face is identified. Facial features are resolved within the bounded group of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Imprivata, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuntal Sengupta, Robert Calder
  • Patent number: 8792747
    Abstract: An image processing method and device, and a medical instrument are provided to perform equalization processing on a residual image obtained by decomposing an input image, and perform composition processing on the equalized residual image and a detail image obtained by decomposing the input image to obtain a result image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wenwu Sun
  • Publication number: 20140205200
    Abstract: Image binarization method and device for converting a grayscale image into a black and white binary image are provided. The grayscale image is divided into sub-images dynamically created from pixel to pixel containing a given pixel as well as neighboring pixels. A threshold for each pixel is determined based on the color values of all the pixels in the sub-image. Therefore, at a certain color value, this given pixel is converted to white and at another color value the pixel is converted black. The foregoing is effectuated pixel by pixel in a dynamic fashion evaluating each pixel relative to its neighboring pixels in order to produce a binary image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Yijun ZENG
  • Publication number: 20140205175
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for real-time enhancement of an identified time-series signal of interest in a video that has a similar spatial and temporal structure to a given reference signal, as determined by a measure of closeness. A closeness measure is computed for pixels of each image frame of each channel of a multi-channel video to identify a time-series signal of interest. The intensity of pixels associated with that time-series signal is modified based on a product of the closeness measure and the reference signal scaled by an amplification factor. The modified pixel intensity values are provided back into the source video to generate a reconstructed video such that, upon playback of the reconstructed video, viewers thereof can visually examine the amplified time-series signal, see how it is distributed and how it propagates. The methods disclosed find their uses in remote sensing applications such as telemedicine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi TANAKA, Lalit Keshav MESTHA
  • Patent number: 8786737
    Abstract: An image correction device includes a coordinate transformation unit, a parameter value determination unit, and a correction value calculation unit. The coordinate transformation unit receives first coordinates of at least one pixel data of an illuminated pattern under a first coordinate system, and transforms the first coordinates into second coordinates under a second coordinate system, wherein the second coordinate system is rotated relative to the first coordinate system by an angle with respect to an optical center of the illuminated pattern. The parameter value determination unit determines a respective value of at least one correction parameter according to the position of each of the at least one pixel data in the second coordinate system. The correction value calculation unit calculates an image correction value of each of the at least one pixel data according to the second coordinates and the respective value of the at least one correction parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Wei Hsu
  • Patent number: 8786598
    Abstract: Discloses herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for preparing and displaying images in frame-sequential stereoscopic 3D. Frame-sequential stereoscopic display includes an alternating sequence of left- and right-perspective images for display. Disclosed methods include identifying pixels that modulate due to the alternating sequence of left- and right-perspective images of the frame-sequential stereoscopic display. The disclosed methods also include processing the pixels to reduce one or more residual images caused by the alternating sequence of left- and right-perspective images of the frame-sequential stereoscopic display. The disclosed methods may be implemented by a processing unit and the processing unit may be included in a system (such as, a computer or video-game console).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ATI Technologies, ULC
    Inventor: Philip L. Swan
  • Publication number: 20140198197
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a normalization unit that generates a plurality of normalized images by correcting, based on different imaging conditions, brightness of a plurality of images at different brightness obtained by imaging a same subject with the different imaging conditions; and an image combining unit that generates a combined image by combining the plurality of normalized images. When the normalized image corresponding to a reference image that is a brightest image among the plurality of images is defined as a reference normalized image, the image combining unit combines the reference normalized image and a non-reference normalized image that is the normalized image other than the reference normalized image to bring gradation of pixel of the combined image close to gradation of pixel of the reference normalized image if the gradation of pixel of the combined image is smaller than the gradation of pixel of the reference normalized image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeto KAMINAGA
  • Patent number: 8780408
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus processes image data including first data corresponding to an output color of an output device and a plurality of second data of respective spot colors. The image processing apparatus includes a conversion section and a storage section. The conversion section calculates a device color value for a spot color or a spot color combination among the spot colors, referring to a first table, to generate a second table. In the second table, spot color identification information on the spot color or the spot color combination is correlated with the device color value. The conversion section also generates third data based on the plurality of second data. In the third data, each pixel is represented by the spot color identification information. The storage section stores the first data, the second table and the third data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Masatsugu Kouguchi
  • Patent number: 8781249
    Abstract: In an image processing performing local tone correction on an image, tone correction on an object (face) area can be suppressed from becoming nonuniform. The apparatus is provided with an acquisition unit (102) that acquires coordinate information on an object area, a division unit (103) that divides the inputted image into a plurality of divided areas, a first decision unit (105) that decides a tone correction coefficient for each of the divided areas, a second decision unit (106) that decides a tone correction coefficient for the object area based on coordinate information on the object area and the tone correction coefficients for the plurality of divided areas, and an image processing unit (107) that performs tone correction processing on the object area by applying thereto the tone correction coefficient decided by the second decision unit in a uniform manner without depending on coordinates thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Iwata
  • Patent number: 8781247
    Abstract: An apparatus includes, a unit generating a sample-texture image, a unit searching a preset-search range for similar pixels and to generate a texture image by assigning a pixel value of each of the similar pixels to a pixel value of a processing-target pixel in the texture image, the preset-search range being included in the sample-texture image and including a position corresponding to a position of the processing-target pixel to which any pixel value is not yet assigned, the similar pixels having, around the similar pixels, variation patterns similar to a pattern of pixels which are located in the texture image near the processing-target pixel and to which pixel values are assigned, and a unit combining the texture image and a base image of a same size as the texture image to obtain a synthetic image, the base image holding shades similar to shades of a transform-target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kanako Saito, Yasunori Taguchi, Takashi Ida
  • Patent number: 8781248
    Abstract: The appearance of image details can be preserved and/or enhanced by applying contrast adaptive gain to the high spatial frequency component of the luminance information. The image details in bright and/or dark regions can be further boosted by applying a local mean adaptive gain. The contrast transfer mapping curve for luminance contrast enhancement can be re-scaled to account for the applied gain. The re-scaling may be performed from frame to frame of displayed video. The re-scaling may be temporally controlled for subsequent frames to make the re-scaling change gradually to prevent flickering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Haiyun Wang, Lucas Hui
  • Publication number: 20140193068
    Abstract: Techniques for using infrared imaging to create digital images for use in product customization are described. In an embodiment, an infrared photograph of a product with imprinted markup is received and a visible light photograph of the product with the imprinted markup is received. The imprinted markup is visible in the visible light photograph but is not visible in the infrared photograph. Instructions for rendering a customization image of the product depicting a particular customization are determined based in part on the infrared photograph and visible light photograph, where the particular customization is not in the infrared photograph or the visible light photograph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ZAZZLE.COM, INC
    Inventor: ZAZZLE.COM, INC
  • Publication number: 20140193095
    Abstract: Image correcting methods and apparatuses for removing speckles from an image are provided. The image correcting method includes selecting a first region in an image; removing a speckle from a second region except for the first region from the image by using image information at a predetermined frequency band in the image; and increasing a contrast level of the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won-hee CHOE, Jae-guyn LIM, Seong-deok LEE
  • Patent number: 8774555
    Abstract: Image defogging method and system, the method including: constructing a pixel-based dark channel map of a fogging image; constructing a local area-based dark channel map of the image; acquiring a final dark channel map of the image; acquiring intensity values of R, G, B channels of a pixel having a maximum grey value of all pixels in an area, covered by a brightest area in the local map, in the fogging map, as R, G, B components of an air light value of the image; acquiring a transmission map of the image by using the final map, a maximum value of the components of the air light value, and a defogging parameter; and acquiring intensity values of the channels of pixels in a defogged image by using the transmission map, the air light value, and the intensity values of the R, G, B channels of the pixels in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Bai Xianghui
  • Patent number: 8774556
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Suhel Sheikh, Shawn M. Brown, Stephen Cosman, Robert Pengelly
  • Patent number: 8774554
    Abstract: A method of enhancing an image. This includes the steps of: dividing the image into multiple tiles and constructing a histogram for each tile, wherein the histogram represents a distribution of pixel intensity values in each tile. In addition, the method applies a bias value to the histogram and a plateau value to the histogram. A cumulative histogram is constructed after applying the bias value and the plateau value to the histogram. The method transforms each pixel in the image, by weighing four cumulative histograms, respectively, in four adjacent and closest tiles to the pixel under consideration. The pixel under consideration is modified based on a weighted cumulative histogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart Martin Winn
  • Patent number: 8774553
    Abstract: A method of enhancing an image includes: dividing the input image into multiple tiles; and constructing a respective histogram for each respective multiple tile. The method further includes: dividing each respective histogram into multiple portions, in which each portion represents a count of pixels spanning across pixel intensity value bands. The method also includes: constructing a respective cumulative distribution function (CDF) for each of the multiple portions; and transforming each of the multiple portions using the respective CDF. Each histogram may be divided, as an example, into two portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Exelis, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart Martin Winn
  • Patent number: 8774549
    Abstract: A video processor includes a spatio-temporal noise reduction controller to determine current and previous image edge slopes and adaptively control a spatio-temporal noise reduction processor to blend current and previous images dependent on the current and previous image edge slope values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Vatsala Gopalakrishna, Ravi Ananthapurbacche, Peter Swartz
  • Patent number: 8774485
    Abstract: A method for generating an image includes obtaining a first image and a second image of an object of interest, generating a joint histogram using the first and second images, transforming the information in the histogram from histogram space to image space using a look-up table, and generating a color image using the information output from the look-up table. A system and non-transitory computer readable medium are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tamas Blaskovics, Laszlo Rusko, Marta Fidrich
  • Patent number: 8771178
    Abstract: An endoscope 100 includes a first light source 45 that emits white illumination light, a second light source 47 that emits narrow-band light and an imaging section that has an imaging device 21 having plural detection pixels and images a region to be observed. The imaging section is caused to output a captured image signal including both a return light component of the white illumination light from the region to be observed by and a return light component of the narrow-band light the white illumination light. From the captured image signal, the return light component of the narrow-band light is selectively extracted, and a brightness level of the extracted return light component of the narrow-band light is changed by changing a light amount of light emitted from the second light source 47.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ozawa, Azuchi Endo, Akihiko Erikawa, Takayuki Iida
  • Patent number: 8774477
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing the quality of a digital slide image. In an embodiment, the digital slide image is divided into a plurality of image regions. For each of a subset of the plurality of image regions, a quality of the image region is determined based on a determined spatial frequency of the image region. In addition, a visual depiction of the digital slide image may be generated that, for each of the subset of the plurality of image regions, indicates the determined quality of that image region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Leica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Ole Eichhorn, Cindy Perz
  • Patent number: 8774543
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for processing image data where row data is received corresponding to a target row of pixels and to one or more reference rows of pixels. A target row average is generated based on the target row data and a reference row average is generated for each of the one or more reference rows based on each reference row's respective row data. A row correction value is generated based on the target row average of the target row and the reference row average of the one or more reference rows. Corrected target row data is generated by applying the row correction value to the target row data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Myers, Jeffery Beck, Christopher Silsby
  • Publication number: 20140185955
    Abstract: A blemish detection method includes the following steps: capturing a first image using an image sensor; adjusting the brightness of the first image to obtain a second image; calculating a brightness ratio of each pixel in the second image; marking the pixels of which the brightness ratios are greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value as “1”, and marking the other pixels as “0”; calculating the quantity of pixels in a continuous area in which all pixels are marked as “1”; and determining that the continuous area is a blemish if the quantity of pixels in the continuous area is greater than or equal to a predetermined pixel quantity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: WEN-MIN NING
  • Patent number: 8768014
    Abstract: A method for obtaining an identification characteristic for a subject includes acquiring an image of an eye of the subject, segmenting the eye image into different regions, extracting features in a sclera region segmented from the eye image, and generating data identifying at least one feature extracted from the sclera region of the eye image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Eliza Yingzi Du, Darrell WuDunn, N. Luke Thomas
  • Patent number: 8768055
    Abstract: An image sensor apparatus is disclosed. The image sensor apparatus includes an image sensor for generating pixel data corresponding to a scene under a scene illuminant and a processor. The processor includes an illuminant estimation module for receiving a subset of the pixel data associated with a subset of a color space and finding a chromaticity trend in the pixel data subset to estimate the scene illuminant. A white balance and color correction module in the processor applies white balance and color correction coefficients to the pixel data according to the estimated scene illuminant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhaojian Li
  • Patent number: 8767002
    Abstract: System and methods are provided for performing saturation adjustment of one or more pixels. In one embodiment, an input color value of a pixel is received. The input color value includes an input saturation component. An adjusted color value is extracted from a predetermined look-up table that maps the input color value to the adjusted color value, the adjusted color value having an adjusted saturation component that is different from the input saturation component. The adjusted color value is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Samson Huang, Alice Hsia