Abstract: A raw image consists of a plurality of pixels in a plurality of colour planes giving a colour image. The raw image is split into at least a low frequency image and a high frequency image. At least the low frequency image is colour corrected to produce a colour corrected low frequency image. The colour corrected low frequency image is combined with at least the high frequency image to give a final image which is of comparable resolution to the raw image but is colour corrected.

Abstract: A mobile computing device has a touch sensitive display screen for displaying an image including a pictorial representation of a location. A user supplies a request to the device for information relating to parts of the location shown in the pictorial representation. A GPS system and compass in the device produce data relating to the current position and current orientation of the device. A controller of the device responds to the data to select the pictorial representation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a computer apparatus for causing display and manipulation of a pictorial image synchronously with remote computer apparatus. The apparatus comprises computer instructions executable by the apparatus to generate, on a display screen, a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI has: a) an image display region; b) at least one manipulation control element, activatable by a user input device, for manipulating a displayed image; and c) at least one symbol associated with at least one stored image file. The symbol is activatable by a user input device so as to cause (i) display of a corresponding image in the image display region and (ii) output of a display signal. The display signal is adapted to cause remotely executing computer instructions to process a remotely stored associated image file so as to display a corresponding image.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method which facilitates the use of a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer.

Abstract: An image transmission system comprises a camera apparatus arranged to provide camera images and a viewer apparatus. The viewer apparatus is arranged to receive the camera images from the camera apparatus and to determine that the camera images are being displayed on a viewing display and that a viewing operator is present to view the viewing display, and in return provides a viewer indication signal indicating that the camera images are received. The camera apparatus comprises a viewer indicator operable to indicate that camera images are received by the viewer apparatus, the viewer indicator being operable in response to the viewer indication signal from the viewer apparatus. A method of operating such a system is described, as is a viewing apparatus adapted for this purpose.

Abstract: This invention relates to an image processing method and device for correcting the color of a color image. The color image is composed of at least two sets of image pixels (13,14,15) that have a distinct color value (16,17,18) and a luminance value. For each color value (16,17,18) a low spatial frequency monochrome image (33,34,35) is generated composed of a set of smoothed image pixels, on which the color correction function operates. In one embodiment, a sub-set of the smoothed image pixels (63,64,65) is then selected, and a color correction function is applied to each of these sub-sets to generate corresponding sub-sets of corrected smoothed image pixels (53,54,55). The correction includes a contribution from smoothed image pixels in one or more of the other sets of smoothed image pixels (33,34,35). The sub-sets of corrected smoothed image pixels may then be completed (53,54,55) by interpolation or extrapolation. Each set of corrected smoothed image pixels is then used to generate a corrected color image.

Abstract: Image capturing apparatus comprises plural image capture devices at spaced-apart intervals along plural routes. A selector selects a navigation path including at least a portion of one or more of the routes. An image processor sequentially combines one or more image frames from each of a plurality of the image capture devices to produce an image sequence which, when viewed at a suitable rate, simulates motion along said selected navigation path. A method for producing an image sequence which, when viewed at a suitable rate, simulates motion along a selected navigation path is also provided.

Abstract: A method for selectively adjusting the amount of specular reflections appearing in the final image output by an image capturing device by blending two substantially perfectly overlapping images, one with natural specular reflections and one without specular reflections. In the combined image, the amount of specular reflection is lower than in the image having natural specular reflections, to the extent in many cases that the underlying image content can be seen. In any event, the apparatus provides means for selectively adjusting the intensity of specular reflection, or even eliminating it altogether, in each region of the image containing such reflection.

Abstract: A framing aid for a handheld document capture device such as a digital camera, comprising two pattern generators (10,20) generating convergent patterns (14, 24) that are in register on a target object plane. Triangulation between the two pattern generators (10,20) and using superimposed or complementary patterns (14,24) ensures that the hand held device (1) is correctly arranged at a predetermined range and orientation above a document to be captured, such that the document is accurately framed within the field of view of the capture device (1).

Abstract: An image processor receives color signals representing a color or black-and-white image, typically containing text and non-text areas. A sliding window or swath of the image is processed which progressively moves over the virtual image. A spatial filter is applied to sharpen the image and it is then classified into text and non-text regions. The data from the text regions is subjected to a black text enhancement process in which the color signal from a single channel (here the green channel) is thresholded against two thresholds, T1, T2. The lower (darker) threshold T2 identifies pixels for being set to black, whereas the threshold T1 identifies “support” pixels used in component connectivity analysis. Having defined a connected component using both T1 and T2 pixels, the color statistics of the pixels making up the component are analyzed to determine whether the component should be rendered black.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing an image captured as a stream of image data, for example as input received from a linear sensor in unconstrained scanning, comprises reconstructing the image in the form of a plurality of tiles. Each tile comprises a pixel grid of predetermined dimension representing a specific spatial region of the image. The tiles tessellate a rectilinear image space. Tiles can be created when required and compressed when no longer active, thus minimizing memory requirements. Devices utilizing this method are provided. The method is especially appropriate for use in an unconstrained hand scanner, but can also be applied to panoramic capture with a digital camera.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reconstructing an image from data captured by a sensor, and is particularly applicable to the case of sequential capture in relative movement between a scanning device and the original image. The seanning device comprises navigation means for detecting the position of the sensor relative to the original image. A pixel grid for the reconstructed image is determined, and correspondence between the pixel grid and the sensor data is identified using sensor position detection data. The intensity of pixels is determined from sensor data selected as relevant to the pixel under consideration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reconstructing an image from scanned parts of an original image obtained by relative movement between a scanning device and the original image so that adjacent scanned image swaths overlap. The scanning device comprises navigation means for determining the position of the scanning device relative to the original image. Navigation corrections are calculated by correlating features within the area of overlap between adjacent swaths.