Abstract: A fast method of color interpolation of pixels of an image acquired by a color filtered digital sensor uses a very simple cost function that nevertheless produce interpolated images of good quality. The cost function is computationally simpler because it does not require the calculation of powers and square roots. The triangulation algorithm may be executed in far less time, while practically ensuring the same performance. The triangulation algorithm on average may use only two iteration steps. The interpolation process may be followed by an anti-aliasing processing that effectively removes color artifacts.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a sensor (205) for sensing an image and producing a first signal. A Bayer pattern producer (210) is coupled to the sensor and structured to produce a Bayer pattern from the first signal. The Bayer pattern is then split (212) into separate color channels. A color interpolator (214) is structured to perform a modification on only one of the color channels produced by the splitter (212). A compressor (220) then compresses the interpolated and non-interpolated color channels into a compressed image. An output interface (226) facilitates remote transmission of the compressed image over a communication channel. This communication may be made over a network to a server that operates in conjunction with the digital camera to perform certain functions, like image processing, manipulation, storage and communication, as directed by a user of the digital camera.

Abstract: A method for transforming a matrix representation of pixels of an image into a vector representation of the image involves partition of the image into contiguous homogeneous regions by applying a watershed type morphologic algorithm to the matrix representation of pixels and identifying the contours of the contiguous homogeneous regions by applying a vector code contouring algorithm of the chain-code type to every region. By selecting quantization level of the gradient, improved image quality, dimensions and noise are achieved.

Abstract: A raster to vector conversion method of an initial digital image including a pixel matrix, includes generating a digital image divided into polygons by dividing the initial digital image into a plurality of base triangles and defining similarity criteria depending on at least one parameter. The conversion method also includes an iterative operation to process the digital image divided into polygons, selecting pairs of polygons adjacent to each other and to satisfy the similarity criteria and merging together the selected polygons.

Abstract: Color image signals, as derived, e.g., by interpolating the output from a color filter array are arranged in pixels, each pixel having associated detected color information for a first color as well as undetected filled-in color information for at least a second and a third color. The images are thus exposed to false color and zipper effect artifacts, and are subject to processing preferably including the steps of: checking the images for the presence of zipper effect artifacts, and i) if said checking reveals the presence of zipper effect artifacts, applying a zipper effect removal process to said image signals; ii) if said checking fails to reveal the presence of zipper effect artifacts, applying a false color removal process to said image signals. False color and zipper effect artifacts are thus preferably both reduced by adaptively using the zipper effect removal process and the false color removal process.

Abstract: Subdivision per basic color channels of grey level data generated by a color sensor is no longer required according to a novel color interpolation method of an image acquired by a digital color sensor generating grey levels for each image pixel as a function of the filter applied to the sensor by interpolating the values of missing colors of each image pixel for generating triplets or pairs of values of primary colors or complementary base hues for each image pixel. The method may include calculating spatial variation gradients of primary colors or complementary base hues for each image pixel and storing the information of directional variation of primary color or complementary base hue in look-up tables pertaining to each pixel.

Abstract: A fast method of color interpolation of pixels of an image acquired by a color filtered digital sensor uses a very simple cost function that nevertheless produce interpolated images of good quality. The cost function is computationally simpler because it does not require the calculation of powers and square roots. The triangulation algorithm may be executed in far less time, while practically ensuring the same performance. The triangulation algorithm on average may use only two iteration steps. The interpolation process may be followed by an anti-aliasing processing that effectively removes color artifacts.

Abstract: A method of processing digital video signals produced by a sensor that are to be presented on a viewfinder, the method involving: a first pair of processing operations for scaling and color interpolation; and a second pair of processing operations for the formation of a color matrix and for white balancing. The operations of at least one, and preferably of both of the pairs of processing operations are executed in a single step. The operation of white balancing is moreover performed only for one frame out of K frame in the frame sequence. The preferential application is in the construction of viewfinders for videocameras and digital still cameras.

Abstract: A digital camera for capturing and processing images of different resolutions and a corresponding method for down-scaling a digital image are provided. The method includes forming an image of a real scene on an image sensor that is made up of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. The method further includes addressing and reading pixels in the matrix to obtain analog quantities related to the pixels luminance values, converting the analog quantities from the pixels matrix into digital values, and processing the digital values to obtain a data file representing the image of the real scene. To reduce computation time and power consumption, the addressing and reading of the pixels includes selecting a group of pixels from the matrix, and storing the analog quantities related to the pixels of the selected group of pixels into an analog storing circuit. The stored analog quantities are averaged to obtain an analog quantity corresponding to an average pixel luminance value.

Abstract: A method of processing digital images in devices for acquiring both individual images and image sequences, comprising the step of acquiring images in color filter array (CFA) format and the step of reducing the resolution of the images acquired. In order to reduce computing time and energy consumption, the resolution-reduction step processes the images directly in CFA format.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a sensor (205) for sensing an image and producing a first signal. A Bayer pattern producer (210) is coupled to the sensor and structured to produce a Bayer pattern from the first signal. The Bayer pattern is then split (212) into separate color channels. A color interpolator (214) is structured to perform a modification on only one of the color channels produced by the splitter (212). A compressor (220) then compresses the interpolated and non-interpolated color channels into a compressed image. An output interface (226) facilitates remote transmission of the compressed image over a communication channel. This communication may be made over a network to a server that operates in conjunction with the digital camera to perform certain functions, like image processing, manipulation, storage and communication, as directed by a user of the digital camera.