Abstract: A method for preserving spatial detail and color content is performed when adjusting the tone scale of a digital color image. This method comprises the steps of receiving a digital color image, providing a tone scale function for adjusting the tone scale of the digital color image; providing a spatial filter for adjusting the tone scale of the digital color image; transforming the digital color image into a luminance signal and chrominance signals; using the tone scale function, the spatial filter, and the luminance signal to produce an enhanced luminance signal; and using the tone scale function, the spatial filter, the luminance signal, and the chrominance signals to produce enhanced chrominance signals.

Abstract: A method for modifying an apparent perspective of a digital image representing a perspective projection of a scene, the method comprises the steps of locating a line in the digital image; computing a correction term based on parameters of the located line which said correction term is related to the perspective of the digital image relative to the scene; and resampling the digital image based on the correction term for creating a processed image.

Abstract: A photographic system involves the collection of data from a scene, e.g., a visitor attraction site, that is capable of interactive communication with a user. The attraction site stores content data related to the site, and the user communicates with the attraction site through a camera capable of conmmunication with the site. Besides capturing an image associated with the site, the camera stores predetermined personality data that relates an interest of the user to at least a portion of the content data and includes means for transferring the personality data to the attraction site. The camera further includes means for receiving and displaying the portion of the content data from the attraction site, and a user interface for selecting from the displayed content data that part which the user wants to keep. In this manner, information relevant to a user's interests about a photographed item can be easily requested, accessed and stored with the specific pictures that the user has captured.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing a film strip from a film leader card includes (a) a feed section for holding the film leader card stationary in a first predetermined position with the film strip attached via protrusions to a film clip, said feed section having an entry port through which the film leader card is fully inserted in a forward direction with the film strip extending in a backward direction outward through the entry port; (b) means for forming a loop in the film that is folded underneath the film leader card in order to rotate the end of the film strip away from the film clip on the opposite side of the film leader card, thereby causing the film strip to de-tension from the protrusions; (c) a pinch roller assembly; (d) a detach mechanism for engaging the loop and extending it further under the film leader card toward, but not contacting, the pinch roller assembly, said detach mechanism including cams for further rotating the film strip until it is completely inverted and oriented in the forward direction, s

Abstract: The invention involves selecting a path through a multi-dimensional hyper-cube from a base vertex to an opposite corner or vertex of the hyper-cube. The path is selected by ranking the fractional components of the point or value to be interpolated. An N-dimensional interpolation is performed according to this sequence. During an interpolation a base vertex for an input color value is determined. The output value for the base vertex is accumulated. The fractional values of the input color value are sorted and ranked according to magnitude to produce an interpolation sequence. The interpolations are performed for each axis of the N-dimensions by selecting an axis for interpolation based on the order, performing an interpolation corresponding to the selected axis producing an interpolation result, and accumulating the interpolation result.

Abstract: In a method for generating color image signals derived from an array of color image pixels, the array of color pixels are subsampled in order to generate an array of subsampled color pixels. An array of new, evenly spaced color pixels are interpolated from the subsampled color pixels using surrounding pixels of the same color, and the color image signals derived from the array of new color pixels are subsequently processed, e.g., in a color filter array interpolation. By providing this correction in a preprocessing step, the rest of the normal image processing hardware or software may be used on the resultant subsampled CFA image without developing the characteristic blocky and wavy artifacts caused by an irregular subsampling pattern.

Abstract: In a motion picture recording process, filming defects are reduced by enabling the collection of particles generated over time on a film, just before the exposure of the film in the recording motion-picture camera.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for compensating for malperforming or inoperative ink nozzles in a multitone ink jet printhead so that high quality images are printed although some ink nozzles are malperforming or inoperative. Multitone printing is effected by printing a variety of droplets of varying volumes at a given pixel location. In compensating for a malperforming nozzle, a swath data signal is modified and one or more functional nozzles are assigned the printing data for a malperforming nozzle such that the volume of ink ultimately printed at pixel locations is substantially unchanged and the resulting image is free from degradation. Additionally, malperforming nozzles may be assigned values which represent the degree of image degradation that would be caused by printing with the malperforming nozzles, such that these values may be taken into consideration during the process of modifying the swath data signal for complementary recording.

Abstract: An efficient method for determining the compressed rate of a digital image with a given set of compression parameters, the method comprises the steps of forming a plurality of non-overlapping image regions, each of which includes a plurality of contiguous pixels, from the digital image where the total number of pixels contained in all of the contiguous regions is less than the total pixels in the digital image; compressing each region with the given set of compression parameters; and, combining the resulting rate from each region to form an estimate of the compressed rate of the digital image.

Abstract: A method for comparing image content of first and second images, the method comprises the steps of extracting a portion of both the first and second images both of which portions are determined to include a main subject area of each image; dividing the main subject area of the images into a plurality of blocks; computing a color histogram for one block in each image; computing a histogram intersection value between the block of the first image and the block of the second image; and determining a first threshold value for the computed histogram intersection value that determines similarity between the block in the first image and the block in the second image.

Abstract: A sensor package assembly for use with an optical assembly includes an optics base mechanism for supporting the optical assembly in relation to an optical axis, an image sensor mounted on a lead frame, and a sensor mounting frame for locating and supporting the image sensor in relation to the optical axis. The optics base mechanism has at least three optics-related locator features, and the sensor mounting frame also has at least three frame-related locator features. By fastening the optics base mechanism and the sensor mounting frame together with the image sensor interposed therebetween such that the optics-related locator features are oriented in opposed relation to the frame-related locator features with the lead frame pinched therebetween, the tilt of the image sensor is controlled relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: A method of generating a plurality of quantization parameter sets for compressing a digital image to different rates, the method comprises the steps of providing characteristics of an intended display medium; specifying a plurality of threshold viewing distances from the display medium; generating a plurality of quantization parameter sets, one for each threshold viewing distance, using a human visual system model; and, indexing each quantization parameter set by the corresponding threshold viewing distance.

Abstract: A color scannerless range imaging system includes an illumination system for controllably illuminating a scene with modulated illumination and an image responsive element for capturing image light from the scene, including the modulated image light. The system establishes a primary optical path for directly image light toward the image responsive element. A beamsplitter located in the primary optical path separates the image light into two channels, a first channel including an infrared component and a second channel including a color texture component, whereby one of the channels traverses a secondary optical path distinct from the primary path. A modulating element is operative in the first channel to receive the infrared component and a modulating signal, and to generate a processed infrared component with phase data indicative of range information.

Abstract: A user preference for a desired image is determined by using one or more examples and counterexamples of a desired image in order to define the user preference. A relative preference of a user for one or more image components or one or more depictive features is automatically extracted from the examples and counterexamples of the desired image. Then, a user subjective definition of a desired image is formulated using the relative preferences for either the image components or the depictive features.

Abstract: In order to limit the maximum spatial frequency of image light falling upon the array of photosites in an image sensor, an imaging apparatus includes an optical section through which the image light passes and an optical filter including an array of four shaped features placed in mutually spaced relation in the optical section in order to blur the image light and limit the spatial frequencies to values below the Nyquist frequency of the sensor. The optical filter is placed to best effect in the stop of the optical system.

Abstract: A method for preserving detail when adjusting tone scale of a digital image channel, the method comprises receiving a digital image channel; providing a tone scale function for adjusting the tone scale of the digital image channel; spatial filtering the digital image with a spatial filter which varies with location in the digital image channel according to the control signal producing a space-variant spatial filtered version of the digital image channel; using the tone scale function and the space-variant spatial filtered version of the digital image channel to produce an enhanced digital image channel.

Abstract: An image format for storing digital images within a baseline DCT compatible bitstream comprises entropy coded image data, a first application marker storing a first data value using a first encoding method to convey a first information value related to the image, and a second application marker storing a second data value using a second encoding method to convey the same said first information value related to the image. More specifically, the first application marker uses TIFF tags within an Exif application marker and the second application marker uses a FlashPix compatible structured storage stream, while the entropy coded data includes restart markers to define tile boundaries within the entropy coded image data.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that extends a high order polynomial model of an input device into a device region where measured input data is not available by selecting points in an unmeasured region, determining a slope at each of the selected points using a lower order model, and fitting the higher order model to the measured values and the slope values.

Abstract: A cassette includes a photographic element having a predetermined ISO rating suitable for capturing a plurality of images thereon and identification based on an ISO greater than the predetermined ISO rating. The identification specifically indicates that the photographic element is underexposed and, when developed, is to be processed and printed by a digital print station to correct for the underexposure.

Abstract: A motion image processing system applies special effects to a motion image recorded on a motion storage medium by utilizing other data that is also recorded on the motion storage medium. In particular, the motion image processing system includes a structure for generating a digital image signal stream; an arrangement for accessing the other data recorded on the motion storage medium, where the other data comprises prerecorded information for generating at least one special effect in conjunction with the recorded images; a signal processing section for applying the special effect to the digital image signal stream; and a structure for loading the signal processing section with the prerecorded information on the motion recording medium in order to generate the special effect.