Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided for enabling a user to paint a surface a desired final color while using a paint, the color of which appears in raw form different from the desired final color for the painted surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a tile painting application is illustrated and includes a camera arranged to take an image of a bisque tile. When a user applies a glaze to the tile, the camera-computer system analyzes the glaze color among other factors affecting the painting process and an image showing a final color of the tile after firing is presented on the display of the computer system such that by looking at the computer screen, the user is able to see the actual final color of the tile after firing while applying the initial glaze to the bisque tile before firing.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for identifying interest points. A set of digital images and a set of threshold values are received, where the set of digital images includes a set of digital frames. A set of directional values are calculated for each of a set of pixels within each digital frame in the set of digital frames. A set of interest points are identified within each digital frame in the set of digital frames using the set of threshold values and the set of directional values. Finally, a set of characteristics is identified for the set of interest points.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided for enabling a user to determine a starting glaze color for fired tiles in processes where there is a color change from a starting glaze color to a finished or fired tile color. In an exemplary embodiment, a tile painting application is illustrated and includes a camera arranged to take an image of a fired or finished tile that has been painted, glazed and fired in a tile kiln. The color of the fired tile is determined from the image or picture of the fired tile, and a color change database is accessed to determine the starting or bisque color glaze. Related painting process information, including the pre-firing glaze color, the fired glaze color and other tile firing parameters, is accessed from the database and is selectively displayed to a user. The user is then enabled to reproduce the fired tile using the retrieved bisque glaze color and the firing parameters. In another embodiment, a fired tile is divided into smaller segments for analysis.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided for enabling a user to paint a surface a desired final color while using a paint, the color of which appears in raw form different from the desired final color for the painted surface. In an exemplary embodiment, a tile painting application is illustrated and includes a camera arranged to take an image of a bisque tile. When a user applies a glaze to the tile, the camera-computer system analyzes the glaze color among other factors affecting the painting process and an image showing a final color of the tile after firing is presented on the display of the computer system such that by looking at the computer screen, the user is able to see the actual final color of the tile after firing while applying the initial glaze to the bisque tile before firing.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for identifying interest points. A set of digital images and a set of threshold values are received, where the set of digital images includes a set of digital frames. A set of directional values are calculated for each of a set of pixels within each digital frame in the set of digital frames. A set of interest points are identified within each digital frame in the set of digital frames using the set of threshold values and the set of directional values. Finally, a set of characteristics is identified for the set of interest points.