Abstract: An image processing method includes generating a synthesized image transform from a set of synthesizing parameters, and subjecting the input image to the synthesized image transform to form an output image. The synthesized image transform is generated from a set of synthesizing parameters, which have a defined domain of allowed values. The complete set of synthesized transforms is obtained by varying the synthesizing parameters over all values within the domain. The visual effect of each synthesized transform is characterized by a set of visual effect parameters. The visual effect parameters and the synthesizing parameters are related in that the visual effect parameters are generated from the synthesizing parameters for the complete set of transforms, and/or the synthesizing parameters are generated from the visual effect parameters for the complete set of transforms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically rotating a graphical user interface for managing portrait and landscape captures in an image capture unit. A method and apparatus for viewing an image in an image capture unit including a display comprises the steps of providing a first orientation associated with the image and providing a second orientation associated with the image capture unit. It is then determined whether the first orientation is different from the second orientation, and the image is displayed in the second orientation if the first and second orientations are different from each other.

Abstract: A method for manipulating image data in a digital image capture device includes forming two or more image processors, and providing the two or more image processors in the digital image capture device. The method further includes linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain, the image processing chain capable of manipulating image data in sequential and serial manners.In a system aspect, the system includes a digital image capture device, the digital image capture device capable of processing digital image data through two or more image processors. The system further includes a central processing unit within the digital image capture device and capable of linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain, wherein the image processing chain manipulates the digital image data in sequential and serial manners.

Abstract: A method and system eliminates visible quantizing artifacts in a digital image. The present invention eliminates visible artifacts by determining a function descriptive of a noise model for an input source of image data, utilizing a critical noise/quantizing factor in conjunction with the noise model function to determine a quantization function, and deriving optimum coding for the image data from the quantization function to produce digital image data lacking visible quantization artifacts. The critical noise/quantizing factor is a constant value found to be a value of 3/8. The present invention further includes deriving inverse coding for the optimum coding to allow processing of the digital image.

Abstract: A method for compressing digital image of more than a first predetermined number into the first predetermined number of bits in a substantially lossless manner includes determining a plurality of ranges in which input image data falls and comparing current image data with the plurality of ranges. The method further includes preserving a second predetermined number of bits of the current image data based upon which of the plurality of ranges the current image data falls to encode the current image data as an image value comprising the first predetermined number of bits.A system includes means for determining a plurality of ranges in which input image data falls and means for comparing current image data with the plurality of ranges, the means for comparing coupled to the means for determining.

Abstract: This specification discloses a method and means for color detection and modification wherein the recognition of color is based on the definition of a three-dimensional color sub-space within a three-dimensional color universe. Chromaticity values are digitized and modeled as a function of brightness or luminance. Three eight-bit words (each having 256 values) are stored for each pixel of a digitized color picture. The first value is an approximation of luminance, while the second and third values represent variations of chromaticity or chrominance. Over sixteen million combinations of color values are available for each of over one million pixels in a 1024.times.1024 pixel array image. Pattern recognition techniques are used to determine if a given color value lies within the three-dimensional color sub-space. Additional means and method are disclosed to modify or manipulate the color defined by the color sub-space.

Abstract: Improved apparatus is provided for use in detecting faults, such as cracks, "flashes," "short shots" and "grease" deposits, during the quality control inspection phase of the production of molded articles, such as cups, glasses, containers, lids or the like, especially those formed by injection molding from plastic material. The apparatus employs optical sensing and electrical signal handling techniques involving sensors for providing electrical signals (or signal controlling parameters) corresponding to the intensity of light transmitted through or/and reflected from an article being inspected, in conjunction with electrical, fault detection circuitry that responds equally well and produces a fault indicating, electrical output of like polarity for greater than threshold magnitude changes in either direction (decrease or increase) in the intensity of the light being sensed. The apparatus includes sensors permitting the detection of faults in either transparent or opaque articles.

Abstract: A digital video color signal generation system for converting image or graphics data into a color video display format transforms source image or graphics data into a single data word comprising three separate groups of data bits which define the video display to be produced in terms of intensity, hue and saturation characteristics, and stores such data bit groups in respectively corresponding fields in a memory to allow independent user control of one or more of such characteristics. The data bit groups corresponding to hue and saturation are employed for simultaneously addressing storage locations in memory devices which contain digital color reference data representing symmetrically mapped combinations of hue and saturation values, which data are read-out and delivered to respectively associated multiplying digital-to-analog converters for producing red, blue and green color video signals.