Abstract: Perspective distortion in an imaged scene is corrected by identifying a group of points in the imaged scene such that the group of points define a shape. Two vanishing points are determined based on the group of points in the imaged scene. The process determines a first set of reference points within the shape defined by the group of points and transforms the first set of reference points into a second set of reference points. An aspect ratio associated with the first set of reference points is adjusted and the imaged scene is transformed to reduce perspective distortion in the imaged scene.

Abstract: A method for reducing image noise in a digital image including establishing image data of image pixel values; specifying a local virtual surface patch; fitting the local virtual surface patch to the image data; using the local virtual surface patch to estimate a palliative value of at least one pixel in the region of the local virtual surface patch; replacing an original pixel value with the palliative value.

Abstract: Image defects in a digital image are reduced by a process comprising providing a digital image data set in the form of a matrix of pixels; selecting a sub-matrix comprising at least a 5×5 matrix of pixels; identifying a pixel within the sub-matrix to be treated as a central pixel; determining a value for at least one optical property in the central pixel; selecting at least four pixels around the central pixel as averaging pixels, at least two of the averaging pixels being in a position in the sub-matrix that is not adjacent the position in the matrix of the central pixel; determining a value for the at least one optical property for the at least four averaging pixels; averaging the values for the at least one optical property for more than one of the at least four averaging pixels to provide an average treatment value for the central pixel; assigning the average treatment value for the central pixel to the central pixel; and storing the average treatment value assigned to the central pixel.

Abstract: Properties of pixels in a digital image are sampled within different subdivisions of an editing tool impression to produce different property distributions. The different subdivisions can automatically alter their size, geometry, and/or location, based on image content within one or more of the subdivisions, in order to encompass a set of pixels having a substantially uniform distribution of a pixel property. Uniformity can be defined relative to the editing operation or context of the image. The property distributions from each region are classified to identify different edit classes within the property space, which are then used to apply an edit effect to the digital image within the tool impression. The edit classes may be represented by an edit profile in two or more dimensions.

Abstract: Perspective distortion in an imaged scene is corrected by identifying a group of points in the imaged scene such that the group of points define a shape. Two vanishing points are determined based on the group of points in the imaged scene. The process determines a first set of reference points within the shape defined by the group of points and transforms the first set of reference points into a second set of reference points. An aspect ratio associated with the first set of reference points is adjusted and the imaged scene is transformed to reduce perspective distortion in the imaged scene.

Abstract: A method of correcting image saturation is performed by defining saturated colors in a chromaticity color space; and deriving an overall correction of the saturation of colors in the image using the defined saturation of these colors in conjunction with a table of corrections indexed by hue and lightness. This process has a unique attribute of being able to automatically decrease saturation in regions of an image where oversaturation is detected.

Abstract: A method of automatic contrast correction comprises providing digital image data, representing the data in the form of a brightness histogram, determining a measure of central tendency for said histogram, adding a shift value to the measure of central tendency to provide an adjusted measure of central tendency, using the both the determined and adjusted measures of central tendency to determine the exponent of a tone reproduction curve, and applying the tone reproduction curve to the brightness values of the image. Additionally, the method may provide further correction by applying to the brightness values of the image an S-shaped tone reproduction curve that does not change a measure of central tendency of the brightness histogram.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the sensitivity of laser induced thermal imaging by using certain diazo compounds. The diazo compounds contain functional groups adjacent the diazo substituent capable of stabilizing these compounds. The invention is useful in the field of thermal transfer imaging for the production of various graphic arts media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the sensitivity of laser induced thermal imaging by using certain sublimable compounds. The invention is useful in the field of thermal transfer imaging for the production of various graphic arts media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of increasing the sensitivity of laser induced thermal imaging by using certain diazo compounds. The diazo compounds contain functional groups adjacent the diazo substituent capable of stabilizing these compounds. The invention is useful in the field of thermal transfer imaging for the production of various graphic arts media.

Abstract: Alkylsulfonylamino- and arylsulfonylaminoanthraquinone dyes are useful for thermal dye transfer imaging, when employed in dye donor sheets. These dyes give images having excellent light and heat fastness.

Abstract: New anthraquinone dyes, free of water-solubilizing groups such as --SO.sub.3 H and --CO.sub.2 H comprise anthraquinone substituted with one or more identical or different groups of the formula --NHSO.sub.2 R, wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted linear, branched, cyclic or polycyclic alkyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms, and wherein the remaining nuclear aromatic carbon atoms of the anthraquinone may be substituted with substituents selected from the group: alkyl; the halogens F, Cl, and Br; cyano; nitro; aminosulfonyl; arylsulfonylamino; and --NHCOQ; wherein Q is hydrogen, an alkyl, an aryl, or a heterocyclic group.These dyes have improved solubility, lowered melting point, and possess outstanding resistance to light-induced fading.

Abstract: Alkycarbonylaminoanthraquinones are useful for thermal dye transfer imaging when employed in dye donor sheets. These give images having excellent light and heat fastness.

Abstract: Alkylsulfonylamino- and arylsulfonylaminoanthraquinone dyes are useful for thermal dye transfer imaging, when employed in dye donor sheets. These dyes give images having excellent light and heat fastness.

Abstract: The use of eutectic combinations of a dye and a second compound (which may also be a dye) in a binder has been found to provide benefits to thermal dye transfer materials.

Abstract: The use of eutectic combinations of a dye and a second compound (which may also be a dye) in a binder has been found to provide benefits to thermal dye transfer materials.