Patents by Inventor Mark A. Zimmer

Mark A. Zimmer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9142012
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing chrominance (chroma) noise in image data are provided. In one example of such a method, image data in YCC format may be received into logic of an image signal processor. Using the logic, noise may be filtered from a first chrominance component or a second chrominance component, or both, of the image data, using a sparse filter and a noise threshold. The noise threshold may be determined based at least in part on two of the components of the YCC image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Suk Hwan Lim, Mark A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9025867
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing YCC image data provided. In one example, an electronic device includes memory to store image data in RGB or YCC format and a YCC image processing pipeline to process the image data. The YCC image processing pipeline may include receiving logic configured to receive the image data in RGB or YCC format and color space conversion logic configured to, when the image data is received in RGB format, convert the image data into YCC format. The YCC image processing logic may also include luma sharpening and chroma suppression logic; brightness, contrast, and color adjustment logic; gamma logic; chroma decimation logic; scaling logic; and chroma noise reduction logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Cote, Sheng Lin, Suk Hwan Lim, D. Amnon Silverstein, Simon Wolfenden Butler, Mark A. Zimmer, Joseph P. Bratt
  • Patent number: 8953882
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for image data processing. In certain embodiments, an image processing pipeline may compute noise statistics associated with image data by receiving a frame of the image data having a plurality of pixels. The image processing pipeline may then identify a plurality of portions of the frame of the image data such that each portion of the plurality of portions has a flat surface. The image processing pipeline may then calculate a plurality of gradients for each portion of the plurality of portions, determine one or more dominant gradient orientations for each portion of the plurality of portions, and generate a histogram that represents a plurality of dominant gradient orientations that corresponds to the plurality of portions. After generating the histogram, the image processing pipeline may store the histogram, which may represent the noise statistics, in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Suk Hwan Lim, D. Amnon Silverstein, Mark A. Zimmer, Guy Cote
  • Publication number: 20130321673
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for image data processing. In certain embodiments, an image processing pipeline may compute noise statistics associated with image data by receiving a frame of the image data having a plurality of pixels. The image processing pipeline may then identify a plurality of portions of the frame of the image data such that each portion of the plurality of portions has a flat surface. The image processing pipeline may then calculate a plurality of gradients for each portion of the plurality of portions, determine one or more dominant gradient orientations for each portion of the plurality of portions, and generate a histogram that represents a plurality of dominant gradient orientations that corresponds to the plurality of portions. After generating the histogram, the image processing pipeline may store the histogram, which may represent the noise statistics, in a memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Suk Hwan Lim, D. Amnon Silverstein, Mark A. Zimmer, Guy A. Cote
  • Publication number: 20130322752
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing chrominance (chroma) noise in image data are provided. In one example of such a method, image data in YCC format may be received into logic of an image signal processor. Using the logic, noise may be filtered from a first chrominance component or a second chrominance component, or both, of the image data, using a sparse filter and a noise threshold. The noise threshold may be determined based at least in part on two of the components of the YCC image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Suk Hwan Lim, Mark A. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20130322746
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing YCC image data provided. In one example, an electronic device includes memory to store image data in RGB or YCC format and a YCC image processing pipeline to process the image data. The YCC image processing pipeline may include receiving logic configured to receive the image data in RGB or YCC format and color space conversion logic configured to, when the image data is received in RGB format, convert the image data into YCC format. The YCC image processing logic may also include luma sharpening and chroma suppression logic; brightness, contrast, and color adjustment logic; gamma logic; chroma decimation logic; scaling logic; and chromanoise reduction logic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Guy Cote, Sheng Lin, Suk Hwan Lim, D. Amnon Silverstein, Simon Wolfenden Butler, Mark A. Zimmer, Joseph P. Bratt
  • Patent number: 5347620
    Abstract: A system and method to accurately simulate digitally the rendering of a printed articulation, stroke, or mark of a donor natural medium used in graphic arts, such paints, pencils, erasers, or other implements. Using a computer (1) or other hardware the system and method of the invention allows a digital representation of dye-concentration color mixing, receptor grain and variable grain penetration, and a smooth and continuous brush stroke without visible artifacts. Other objects of the system and method of this invention include methods for varying the shape of the tip of an implement across the stroke for the purpose of accurately simulating brushes and other donor-receptor articulations common to natural media, and for rendering a brush stroke in multiple strokes to accurately simulate digitally brush bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Mark A. Zimmer