Abstract: The method of the invention adaptively assigns an image data color management action to a component of a computing system. The computing system includes control programs such as an application program and a peripheral driver program. The computing system further includes a peripheral device that may have both software color management capability and hardware color management capability. The method of the invention initially examines received image data to determine at least one characteristic thereof. The method then compares the characteristic with one or more decision parameters that enable an assessment of the complexity of the color management actions required for the image data. Thereafter, based upon the result of the comparing action, the image data is subjected to a color management action by a selected one of the control programs or by the peripheral device, dependent upon the determined complexity of the image data.

Abstract: This present invention provides a system and method for transforming a main image of a digital image, such as one stored in the Exchangeable Image File (“EXIF”) format, updating the metadata, including the thumbnail image, to correspond to the transformed main image. The transformed main image and updated metadata are stored together in a file using the EXIF format so that the transformed main image may be viewed using a digital camera or viewer software compatible with a properly formatted EXIF file.

Abstract: An automated utility for obtaining an identification of a new type of media from a user and searching remote databases to locate and retrieve properties of the new media to set appropriate printing parameters, including calorimetric parameters. To print on a new media, the user can enter a common identifier of the new media, or it can be automatically detected by the user's printer. Based on this information, remote databases can be searched to locate properties of the new media. The properties can be used to automatically set up an application or computer to use the new media on an intended printer. In addition, if no color profiles are found of the new media and the user's intended printer, a new color profile can be derived from pre-existing color profiles located in the remote databases. Starting with a similar color profile, a difference in colorimetric properties between the media of the similar color profile and the new media can be used to translate the similar color profile into a new color profile.

Abstract: The method of the invention adaptively assigns an image data color management action to a component of a computing system. The computing system includes control programs such as an application program and a peripheral driver program. The computing system further includes a peripheral device that may have both software color management capability and hardware color management capability. The method of the invention initially examines received image data to determine at least one characteristic thereof. The method then compares the characteristic with one or more decision parameters that enable an assessment of the complexity of the color management actions required for the image data. Thereafter, based upon the result of the comparing action, the image data is subjected to a color management action by a selected one of the control programs or by the peripheral device, dependent upon the determined complexity of the image data.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to producing and reproducing an image using a tone reproduction curve which has been selected based on statistical evaluation of psychophysical data, such as psychophysically quantified subjective judgements. By providing a controlled acquisition and evaluation of psychophysical data to select a tone reproduction curve, visually improved imagery can be assured. Further, once a procedure for controlled acquisition and statistical evaluation of psychophysical data has been established for a given environment, lesser skilled technicians can be used to carry out selection of a tone reproduction curve.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described to improve the digital processing of scanned negative films by reducing the amount of time necessary to perform the process and by increasing the robustness and quality of the images produced. These benefits are achieved by a process of color inversion, white point and black point mapping, and midtone adjustment. White and black mapping increases the dynamic range of the image, as well as removes the color cast of the negative film. A backlit image postprocessing algorithm can be employed which uses heuristics to identify backlighted situations, which are then brightened using a nonlinear power mapping. A midtone adjustment can include the sub-steps of contrast reduction and color adjustment. Contrast reduction reverses the film exposure characteristics. Color adjustment removes the remaining color cast in the midtone region of the image, and obtains the correct brightness.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically generating printer profiles for color printers to evenly distribute translation errors between device color spaces are described. Since the color spaces of source devices, e.g., monitors and scanners, differs from that of destination devices, e.g., printers, translation is necessary. As some colors may be available to source devices which are not available to destination devices, this translation is inherently imperfect. Moreover, conventional techniques apply imperfect models of the color space which further skew the results. According to the novel methods and systems described herein, a nonlinear regression technique is applied in an automated system which reduces perceptual changes.

Abstract: A computer is provided with sets of switchable resources and utilities that enable the user to select from among a number of color paradigms within which to work. These resources include different operating system support services, such as different color pickers that are respectively directed to the different paradigms. The utilities include some whose operations are integrated with application programs, and others which function on a stand-alone basis. A color personality agent requests the computer user to select a particular color paradigm with which to work. In response to the user's selection, the agent selects the appropriate resources and utilities for that paradigm, to provide full color management that is consistent with the user's designated preferences. All subsequent color-related operations are carried out in accordance with the selected paradigm, in a manner that is transparent to the user and application programs running on the computer.

Abstract: A method and system for compressing and color transforming image data are presented. Color transformation is a process whereby perceptional differences between the expressions of images in color devices are compensated. By transforming a compressed version of the image data, the amount of time in which it takes to perform color transformation can be reduced. Selection of compression techniques which maintain color characteristics of the image data in its compressed form permits the usage of color transformation techniques which already exist for the image data in its uncompressed form. The inventive techniques can be applied either prior to, or after, storage of the image data in an intermediate media or transmission from one device to another.

Abstract: An image processing system provides a single interface between the application program and the operating system, through which all image processing services are accessed. This interface includes a dispatcher which directs a call for a particular image processing function, as well as calls that require color matching, to the appropriate components which perform the desired services. Various functions such as color modeling, image compression, image format translation, and standard image processing are available to all application programs through the computer's operating system, in addition to color matching. This approach supports such operations as process scripting and hardware acceleration, to thereby enhance the features and efficiency of functions that are available to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for editing color LUTs that are utilized for converting color data from a first display device having a corresponding first color space to a second display device having a corresponding second color space is described. The method of the present invention includes initially displaying on an editor display screen, a graphical representation of a first draft of a previously created color LUT. The graphical representation of the previously created table is embodied as a lattice structure, where each element in the lattice structure represents one or more color values stored in the color LUT. Also displayed on the editor display screen is a set reference images and a set of sample images. The reference images represent the appearance that the user wants the color image to look like on the second display device. Initially, sample images reflect the manner in which the reference image would be displayed on the second device when processed through the previously created color LUT.

Abstract: A method and system for automatic characterization of a color printer are described. A relatively few number of test samples are printed and measured to create an analytic model which characterizes a printer. This analytical model, in turn, is used to generate a multidimensional lookup table which can then be used at runtime to compensate image input and create desired visual characteristics in the printed image. A detector can be incorporated into the printer which measures at least one parameter of each printed sample so that characterization can be carried out internally to the printer in a manner which is transparent to the end user. In this way, changes in paper stock, inks, or environment can be custom compensated for each printing application.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a color computer graphics system whereby mapping constraints are relaxed and redefined so as to allow out-of-gamut colors to be mapped to in-gamut colors in a manner that is significantly more visually pleasing than in conventional methods. More particularly, the present invention provides a method of mapping source device colors to destination device colors in a computer graphics system having a color image source device and a color image destination device having non-coincident color gamuts such that a plurality of colors within a color gamut of the source device are out of gamut colors outside a color gamut of the destination device. A color name is associated with an out-of-gamut color, which is mapped to a first in-gamut color within the color gamut of the destination device. A color name is also assiciated with the first in-gamut color.

Abstract: A method and system for formatting characteristic CRT information into a standardized format to provide a dynamic CRT characteristic profile to enhance presently used methods of recalibrating CRTs is disclosed. Present CRT parameters are measured and combined with previously acquired calibration parameters in order to create updated characteristic information for the profile. The characteristic information includes the CRT color gamut, the white and black point of the CRT and the gamma of the CRT. In addition, ambient lighting conditions may be included in the profile. This characteristic information is stored in a CRT characterization profile in a standardized format. The profile is updated whenever the CRT is recalibrated or whenever the operating conditions of the CRT are changed. Further, the profile may be employed to recalibrate a destination CRT based on a source CRT's profile.

Abstract: A digitally formed monopulse radar employing dynamic real-time calibration uring operation. The invention has a transmitter section, timing circuit, RF section, IF section, in-phase and quadrature section and a digital signal processor. A portion of the transmit signal is diverted from the transmitter section for preparation of calibration factors during the calibration period between receive signals. The calibration factors prepared by the digital signal processor are applied by the processor to antenna received signals during the receive mode and to produce the corrected sum and delta pitch, and delta yaw signals and the tracking errors .epsilon..sub.y and .epsilon..sub.p.

Abstract: A pyroscrubber for combustion of large carbon particles in a stream of waste gas, particularly the waste gas from a coke calcination furnace comprises a generally U-shaped combustion chamber having a first passage arranged parallel with (preferably above) a second passage, so that there is a reversal in gas flow direction between the two passages. The combustion chamber has an exhaust gas inlet and an array of air inlets at the inlet end of the first passage. A gas outlet preferably leads laterally out of the side of the structure at the outlet end of the second passage to secure an abrupt change in the direction of gas flow.

Abstract: In the calcination of petroleum coke in a rotary kiln, procedure wherein air is controllably supplied internally of the kiln to burn the removed volatiles, as by selection or adjustment of the amount of such air and of the speed of coke travel down the kiln, so that all or nearly all of the heat for calcining the coke is provided by such combustion, and so that a suitably high temperature is reached for effective calcination at an efficiently large feed rate of coke, a special feature being to maintain a significantly long travel time of the coke from a region of intense calcining activity to the product discharge end of the kiln. High production rates, of coke calcined well and uniformly, are economically attained, with ease of control and with unusual stability of kiln operation.