Abstract: To characterize film grain, a Film Grain Characterizer (23) receives an incoming information stream (12) and a filtered information stream (24) from which the film grain has been removed. From these streams, the Film Grain Characterizer (23) outputs a message that contains an identity of a model for simulating grain, as well at least one of a set of several parameters, including correlation parameters, intensity-independent parameters and intensity-dependent parameters used by the identified model. An encoder (26, 13) encodes the film grain information for subsequent transmission.

Abstract: To simulate film grain in a compressed video signal, a decoder (15, 28) receives a message containing information that contains a set of one or more parameters, each specifying certain attribute associated with the film grain. For example, one of the parameters will specify the model used to simulate the film grain, whereas other parameters each specify a particular factor associated with that model. Upon receipt of the message, the decoder selects the model, and simulates the film grain for addition to the video signal following decompression.

Abstract: To characterize film grain, a Film Grain Characterizer (23) receives an incoming information stream (12) and a filtered information stream (24) from which the film grain has been removed. From these streams, the Film Grain Characterizer (23) outputs a message that contains an identity of a model for simulating grain, as well at least one of a set of several parameters, including correlation parameters, intensity-independent parameters and intensity-dependent parameters used by the identified model. An encoder (26, 13) encodes the film grain information for subsequent transmission.

Abstract: To simulate film grain in a compressed video signal, a decoder (15, 28) receives a message containing information that contains a set of one or more parameters, each specifying certain attribute associated with the film grain. For example, one of the parameters will specify the model used to simulate the film grain, whereas other parameters each specify a particular factor associated with that model. Upon receipt of the message, the decoder selects the model, and simulates the film grain for addition to the video signal following decompression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting and removing defects from images. Defects in an original image sequence are detected and optionally repaired using well-known techniques. Non-image data is generated containing intermediate results from the automatic defect detection and repair stage. The non-image data may include motion estimation, granularity and defect size/location information. The invention allows the operator to review the original and repaired image sequences, and optionally the non-image data, in an interactive session to accept, reject or further modify any of the automatic repairs in a more efficient manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical obturator which includes a sleeve having a longitudinal bore between a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal bore of the sleeve is configured to receive at least a portion of an endoscope or like image transferring system. An image passing member, such as an optical window is positioned at the distal end of the sleeve and is provided to permit optical images to pass into the longitudinal bore of the sleeve and to permit illumination light to pass to the surgical site. An automatically retracting blade is positioned distal to the image passing member to facilitate penetration of body tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for repairing an image using an image defect matte that indicates portions of an image that have been repaired in previous iterations or are proposed modifications for a current iteration. A user interface incorporates graphical tools that allow the user to modify or manipulate the defect matte and thereby initiate commands that control the selection, detection or repair of one or more defects in an image. For example, the user interface may include commands that allow a user to further repair or cancel a previous repair of a selected region of an image. Each image defect matte may be stored, for example, as an array of elements that assume integer values corresponding to different degrees or steps of repair, such as “original”, “repaired” or “new defect.” Each matte integer value can be encoded with a different color. Each element of the defect matte corresponds to one or more image pixels.

Abstract: A method for detecting and repairing vertical scratches in a digital image. The method comprises the steps of detecting positions of pixels having a significant value deviation from a horizontally averaged value. The number of detected positions within a pre-defined distance in the same vertical column containing the pixel are counted. A pixel is flagged as a scratch site whenever the count of detected positions exceeds a pre-defined threshold. The flagged pixels are binary mapped, morphologically processed and repaired.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting and selecting foreground objects from an acquired image. The system includes an image acquisition arrangement having a camera for acquiring an image and sources of illumination. The arrangement is augmented with an additional illumination device. The illumination device is positioned near the camera. The illumination device emits radiation, either in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet range, which is detected by the camera. The radiation emitted by the illumination device differs from main ambient illumination by temporal and/or spectral properties so that it can be discriminated by the camera and/or other image processing devices. Foreground objects are recognized utilizing the image acquisition arrangement of the inventive system by using the temporal and/or spectral properties of the radiation emitted by the illumination device.

Abstract: A motion estimation technique incorporates a smoothness constraint which is strengthened for reference regions characterized by an image property that is close to that of neighboring regions. Preferably, the image property should be a normalized figure to account for inherent variability distributed over the region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for repairing an image using an image defect matte that indicates portions of an image that have been repaired in previous iterations or are proposed modifications for a current iteration. A user interface incorporates graphical tools that allow the user to modify or manipulate the defect matte and thereby initiate commands that control the selection, detection or repair of one or more defects in an image. For example, the user interface may include commands that allow a user to further repair or cancel a previous repair of a selected region of an image. Each image defect matte may be stored, for example, as an array of elements that assume integer values corresponding to different degrees or steps of repair, such as “original”, “repaired” or “new defect.” Each matte integer value can be encoded with a different color. Each element of the defect matte corresponds to one or more image pixels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting and removing defects from images. Defects in an original image sequence are detected and optionally repaired using well-known techniques. Non-image data is generated containing intermediate results from the automatic defect detection and repair stage. The non-image data may include motion estimation, granularity and defect size/location information. The invention allows the operator to review the original and repaired image sequences, and optionally the non-image data, in an interactive session to accept, reject or further modify any of the automatic repairs in a more efficient manner.