Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for selectively dithering only a subset of a digital image. One or more ranges of digits are selected for dithering. Only those pixels having digits within the selected range(s) in the digital image are dithered. The image is printed after being selectively dithered. Digits may be selected for dithering if they have values within the range(s) of one or more non-monotonic regions of a printer transfer function. Dithering may be performed on the subset of the digital image by applying a nonlinear transformation is applied to the image and adding a dither pattern to the transformed image. The result is quantized, and the inverse of the nonlinear transformation is applied to the quantized image to produce a dithered image. The nonlinear transformation is constructed such that the effects of the dither pattern appear only in that subset of the image having digits in the selected range(s).

Abstract: A system comprising a storage including an image file associated with a plurality of pixels and processing logic coupled to the storage. The processing logic is adapted to determine an average of least significant bits associated with a maximum of two of the plurality of pixels, add the average to bits associated with a target pixel, and disassociate from the target pixel least significant bits of the target pixel. No pixels are disposed between the target pixel and each of the two of the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A dithering system includes a linear transformer, a dither data generator, an adder and a shifter. The transformer linearly transforms M bit input data using a linear function having a predetermined gradient in order to generate and output M bit transform data. The dither data generator generates and outputs M?N bit dither data. The adder adds the M bit transform data and the M?N bit dither data to generate and output M bit correction data. The shifter cuts off the bottom M?N bits of the M bit correction data in order to generate and output the N bit output data. The dithering system and associated dithering method widely disperses an error generated due to a physical limit of a data bit that can be expressed by a low gray scale system throughout the entirety of the gray scales when high gray scale image data is converted to low gray scale image data. This is done without using a lookup table which avoids using valuable chip area.

Abstract: A color quantization or re-quantization method is provided that combines two dimensional halftoning with luminance preserving quantization (LPQ) for better perception results of high precision color video quantization. A combination of LPQ and error diffusion, and a combination of LPQ and spatial dithering, is provided. To combine LPQ and spatial dithering, the spatial dithering is regarded as a two-step processing, a mapping and a simple rounding. To combine LPQ and dithering together, a rounding step is replaced by the LPQ algorithm in the combination. Further a method is provided for post-processing which is applicable to both cases to reduce the color perception for grayscale image.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention comprise systems and methods for efficient image processing. Some aspects relate to non-sequential processing of image data to reduce processing time Some aspects relate to image processing methods that reduce memory read and/or write operations. Some aspects relate to image processing methods that combine image resizing and image halftoning processes.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, an image transmission apparatus, a display, an image processing method and an image transmission method, capable of suppressing tone or gray-level distortion before and after dithering as well as reducing and then increasing the number of bit-planes of an image. An image processing apparatus comprises a first image processor for performing multi-level dithering based on a two-dimensional dither matrix to reduce the bit-plane number of a raster image as an original image, a memory for storing image data of the raster image whose bit-plane number has been reduced by the first image processor, and a second image processor for performing bit addition for the image data read out from the memory to increase the bit-plane number thereof.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display (LCD) driver circuit, harmonizing a pixel inversion pattern and a dither pattern is disclosed. The pixel inversion pattern and the cooperating dither pattern interact with each other in such a way that there is substantially no discernable video artifacts generated. The cooperating dither pattern can be selected from a plurality of dither patterns using a programmable dither block.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus generates a plurality of subframes from each frame of an input video signal to generate an output video signal having a frame frequency higher than the frame frequency of the input video signal. The output video signal also has a smaller number of tones than the number of tones of the input video signal. The pixel values of pixels corresponding to the plurality of subframes are set in accordance with the input video signal to represent halftones that are difficult to display with the number of the tones of the output video signal. The pixel values of the pixels corresponding to the plurality of subframes are set to yield a maximum distribution of the pixel values in a time axis direction.

Abstract: A method for improving an image quality of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes receiving an input image, generating a plurality of consecutive pictures of a predefined period number according to the input image, wherein a gray level of the input image is greater than a gray level of the plurality of contiguous pictures, setting a number of pixels required for adding a value among the plurality of contiguous pictures for every display element according to a least significant bits (LSB) of a pixel of the input image, and enforcing the number of add-value pixels of a positive polarity closes the number of add-value pixels of a negative polarity according to the number of add-value pixels in each of the plurality of consecutive pictures and the polarity of the corresponding display element.

Abstract: Response fidelity problems appear for some specific video levels at PDP borders. The reason is that some cells at the border of the PDP panel are not completely closed and pollute when switched ON neighbouring cells being OFF. Therefore, it is suggested to encode the video levels in the border area in a specific way. Especially, for critical sub-fields within the code it is forbidden to insert a binary 0 between two binary 1. Thus, the neighbourhood of critical sub-fields being ON and OFF is avoided. Preferably, the specific border coding is performed under the control of an average power management and codewords being not used are recreated by dithering.

Abstract: A method for creating a Gamma look-up table (LUT) includes: calculating interpolated display characteristics of a plurality of colors by using a nonlinear interpolation algorithm based on a plurality of display characteristics of the predetermined patterns wherein the number of the display characteristics is smaller than the product of the number of the colors and the number of the interpolated display characteristics of the colors; and correcting the interpolated display characteristics of the colors on the basis of a maximum display characteristic value and a reference gamma value so that the Gamma look-up table is created. The predetermined patterns comprise a plurality of gray level patterns which one-by-one correspond to a plurality of levels, and the interval of a pair of adjacent gray level patterns among the gray level patterns is different from the interval of another pair of adjacent gray level patterns among the gray level patterns.

Abstract: To generate a threshold matrix which is compared with an original image in creating a halftone dot image for each color component, in a matrix area for one color component, dot centers are arranged almost uniformly in a random fashion at a predetermined density and in a matrix area for another color component, dot centers are arranged almost uniformly in a random fashion at a density about 0.7 times the predetermined density. Then, threshold values are set so that dots should grow around the dot centers in accordance with an increase in gray level of the original image, to generate the threshold matrix for each color component. In creating the halftone dot images by using these threshold matrixes, characteristics of spatial frequency of the halftone dot images of these color components can be represented in a frequency space as areas (75K, 75C) in a shape of concentric rings.

Abstract: A color image creating apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a creation unit. The acquisition unit acquires a color visible image from an imaging unit which images the color visible image which includes plural pixels which each include color information and intensity information based on light in a visible light range. The creation unit uses the intensity information and the color information which are acquired by the imaging for a pixel which has intensity equal to or higher than a predetermined value so as to effect display in color, and uses the intensity information acquired by the imaging for a pixel which has intensity lower than the predetermined value so as to effect display in grayscale, and create a color image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for automatically improving the contrast of an input image that is obtained from a digital camera or the like, and obtaining a sharper and clearing image. A contrast improvement unit (11) performs a contrast improvement process on the input image by comparing an object pixel in the input image with pixels in the surrounding area. An image combination unit (12) combines the enhanced image obtained by the contrast improvement process with the input image. The combined image is then output to a desired device such as a printer by an image output unit (13).

Abstract: A method for enabling near unity scaling of printer video data to provide compensation for paper shrinkage caused during duplex printing. To achieve high quality image output, near neighbor interpolation may be used at very high resolutions. However, the insertion of extra interpolated subpixels may cause an edge transition to be shifted away from its original subpixel location with respect to an applied anti-aliasing rendering screen thereby causing ragged edges. The method aligns the edge position and the anti-aliasing rendering screen by applying a cyclical rotation of the screen.

Abstract: The present application is a method of producing digital image objects with enhanced halftone edges. The method operates by selecting a target pixel location within the digital image; observing a set of pixels within a pixel observation window superimposed on the digital image relative to the target pixel location; generating edge-state codes for a plurality of pairs of neighboring vectors of pixels within the pixel observation window; generating edge-identification codes from the plurality of edge-state codes using at least one look-up table; and, utilizing the edge-identification code to select and apply to the digital image at the target pixel either a first halftone screen having a first fundamental frequency and a first angle or a second halftone screen having a second fundamental frequency and a second angle, wherein the second frequency and second angle are harmonically matched to the first frequency and first angle.

Abstract: Sub-pixel rendering with gamma adjustment allows the luminance for the sub-pixel arrangement to match the non-linear gamma response of the human eye's luminance channel, while the chrominance can match the linear response of the human eye's chrominance channels. The gamma correction allows the sub-pixel rendering to operate independently of the actual gamma of a display device. The sub-pixel rendering techniques with gamma adjustment may be optimized for the gamma transfer curve of a display device in order to improve response time, dot inversion balance, and contrast.

Abstract: An original reference grayscale characteristic for a display panel is created by modifying the sRGB reference grayscale characteristic for the display panel. The changes selectively vary the relative luminances and contrasts of certain regions of the sRGB reference grayscale characteristic. The display device code values for the original reference grayscale characteristic comprise a substantially constant chromaticity corresponding to a particular CIE standard illuminant between D70 and D85 throughout the entire grayscale characteristic. A portion of the display device code values in the original reference grayscale characteristic are changed to provide a taper to a black chromaticity of the display panel in the lower portion of the grayscale characteristic.

Abstract: A video encoding method comprises selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus that performs a dither processing using a dither matrix based on the result of determination of the segmentation class to which the pixel to be processed belongs, to perform the dither processing, any of a plurality of pairs of threshold values is selected according to the result of determination of the segmentation class, and the selected pair of threshold values are compared with the value of the pixel to be processed, which are set so that in correspondence with each position of a dither matrix of a same configuration and a same size, a different dither processing is performed according to the result of determination of the segmentation class on part of the dither matrix and a same dither processing is performed irrespective of the result of determination of the segmentation class on the remainder of the dither matrix.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving image quality of a digital image captured with an imaging module comprising at least imaging optics and an image sensor, where the image is formed through the imaging optics, the image consisting of at least one color component. In the method degradation information of each color component of the image is found and is used for obtaining a degradation function. Each color component is restored by said degradation function. The image is unprocessed image data, and the degradation information of each color component can be found by a point-spread function. The invention also relates to a device, to a module, to a system and to a computer program product and to a program module.

Abstract: A method for dithering image data is provided. The method is suitable for representing A-bit grayscale values with a B-bit resolution, where A and B are positive integers and A>B. The main steps of the method include calculating 2A target grayscale values with decimals within an interval from 0 to (2B?1)*2A?B, and then representing the target grayscale values with the decimals through 2-dimensional dithering or 3-dimensional dithering.

Abstract: A print system includes a computer and a printer. Image data having pseudo gradation with a dither pattern are printed by the printer. The computer divides the image data into predetermined areas, determines whether or not a dot arrangement pattern of image data in each of the areas matches a dither pattern that was used for generating the pseudo gradation, determines a representative value concerning a density of image data within the area if they match one another, and sends data related to the determined representative value to the printer. The printer obtains a representative value of each area from compressed data received from the computer and compares the obtained representative value with the dither pattern so as to reproduce a dot pattern.

Abstract: A video signal is processed using dither coefficients. Dither coefficients pattern signals are generated. Each pattern signal carries positive and negative dither coefficients arranged in an (n×m) matrix where “n” and “m” being positive integers larger than zero, the sum total of the coefficients being zero. One of the pattern signal is selected for each predetermined unit of picture carried by the video signal. Or, it is selected according to locations of dither coefficients on pixels arranged on a display panel. Dither coefficients of the selected pattern signal are added to an input video signal, thus outputting a video signal to be supplied to the display panel. Instead of the dither coefficients pattern signals, dither pattern signals can be generated, each carrying positional data indicating locations of dither coefficients on the pixels on the display panel.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for adaptive dither pattern array generation and application.

Abstract: A gradation conversion device that converts a gradation of an image, includes: dither means for dithering the image by adding random noise to pixel values forming the image; and one-dimensional ?? modulation means for performing one-dimensional ?? modulation on the dithered image.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for visual gamma correction of a display system includes retrieving input gamma information from input content, determining at least one pattern representing luminance of the received content based upon at least the retrieved gamma information, displaying the at least one determined pattern representing the luminance of the received image content and at least one corresponding reference image on the display system, and adjusting the brightness and contrast of the least one reference image on the display system to approach the luminance of a corresponding determined pattern to determine a corrected gamma for the display system.

Abstract: A dithering method prevents the gray level saturation in a gray level region having high luminance and expresses all gray levels. The dithering method includes performing the temporal/spatial compensation on input data, generating dithering data by adding a head bit to the data on which the temporal/spatial compensation is performed, and selecting a corresponding gamma voltage according to the dithering data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus and an image processing method thereof, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved plasma display apparatus and an image processing method thereof which can enhance a gray level representation capability.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method for enhancing gray scale output on a color display. Various gray intensities are mapped based on an image made of various shades of gray so that a viewer perceives a depth of gray levels beyond those available in gray scale from the color display. Pseudo shades of gray are displayed between the levels of true gray that typically are displayed in order to provide a smoother transition between the levels of true gray that are displayed.

Abstract: A novel method for driving a display device includes the steps of receiving video data of a first type, converting the video data to data of a second type, dithering the data of the second type to form dithered pixel data, and outputting the dithered pixel data. The step of converting the video data to data of a second type includes inserting dither bits indicative of a particular dithering scheme into the data of the second type. An example display driver circuit includes an input for receiving video data, a data converter coupled to receive the video data and operative to convert the video data into pixel data to be written to pixels of a display, and a ditherer operative to receive the pixel data and to dither the pixel data to generate dithered pixel data. The video data is data of a first type, and the pixel data is data of a second type, different from the first type. In the disclosed example, the first type of data includes a binary data word, and the second type of data includes a compound data word.

Abstract: Sub-pixel rendering with gamma adjustment allows the luminance of the sub-pixel arrangement to match the non-linear gamma response of the human eye's luminance channel. For each of a subset of input sampled data indicating a region of an input image, a gamma-adjusted data value is generated for each input image data value in the subset using a local average of at least two input image data values. A sub-pixel rendering operation uses the subset of gamma-adjusted data values and the subset of input image data values to produce an output data value for each sub-pixel element on the display panel. A plurality of output data values collectively indicates an output image. The gamma adjustment allows the sub-pixel rendering to operate independently of the actual gamma of a display device. The sub-pixel rendering techniques with gamma adjustment may improve image contrast in high spatial frequency portions of an image.

Abstract: A filter for implementing Floyd Steinberg two-dimensional error diffusion algorithms allows high-speed processing of video and images. The filter is shown in direct form with proper bit precision with implementations that permit the filter to operate at high speed. Furthermore, a reduction in the gate count is achieved over the direct form. The results of static timing analysis obtained post synthesis are also summarized.

Abstract: Displays systems and methods for dithering input image data to reduce quantization errors in a display system are disclosed. One embodiment comprises inputting input image data to be rendered by said display system; applying a gamma table to said input image data to create a first intermediate image data; applying a dithering pattern, said dithering pattern comprising a checkerboard pattern, said checkerboard pattern depending upon the subpixel layout of the display. In other embodiments, the display system comprises a separate gamma table for each input color channel and applies these separate gamma table to perform white point adjustments for said display system.

Abstract: A flat panel display, which can save manufacturing costs and allow various types of dither masks to be applied, and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The flat panel display includes a look-up table (LUT) storing one dither mask, which is used to algorithmically generate additional dither masks. The dither masks are applied to image data to improve image quality.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for spatially and temporally dithering pixels. A pixel comprising at least one color component of a first size is provided. A dither addend is determined based on the display position of the pixel. The dither addend is added to the color component, and the color component is rounded to a second size. In one embodiment, a first frame may be provided for displaying the first pixel, the dither addend corresponding to the first frame. One or more additional frames for displaying the first pixel are provided, and one or more additional dither addends corresponding to the first pixel in the additional frames may be determined. The dither addend is different from the additional dither addends, and the additional dither addends are different from each other.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: an image signal processing unit which adjusts an input grayscale values included in an input image signal according to a predetermined grayscale characteristic; a display unit which displays an image based on an image signal included in an output grayscale value adjusted by the image signal processing unit; and a grayscale characteristic changing unit which changes a correlation between the input and output grayscale values defined based on the grayscale characteristic.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for processing sequences of video images involve receiving, on a computer, data corresponding to a sequence of video images detected by an image sensor. The received data is processed using a graphics processor to adjust one or more visual characteristics of the video images corresponding to the received data. The received data can include video data defining pixel values and ancillary data relating to settings on the image sensor. The video data can be processed in accordance with ancillary data to adjust the visual characteristics, which can include filtering the images, blending images, and/or other processing operations.

Abstract: A method for compressing image data that are processed by a pseudo gradation process using a dither pattern is provided. The method includes the steps of dividing the image data into predetermined areas, determining whether or not a dot arrangement pattern of the image data in each area matches the dither pattern that was used in the pseudo gradation process, determining a representative value concerning density of the image data in the area if the dot arrangement pattern matches the dither pattern, and making compressed data by using the determined representative value.

Abstract: A system converts grayscale image data into device independent image data that mimics highlight printing of the grayscale image at a full color printer. The system is preferably implemented in a plug-in for a document control program so a data object associated with the document control program may be used to generate device independent color space data from the grayscale data. A data converter uses a device independent profile to convert the device independent color space data to a second device independent color space that corresponds to a selected highlight for printing. When a device dependent profile associated with a printing station converts the second device independent color space data for printing, the resulting four color data emulates highlight printing of the original grayscale image. Thus, a full color printer may be used for grayscale printing, duotone printing, and full color printing without requiring tone or ink changes.

Abstract: A method for dithering an image is disclosed, which includes: storing a plurality of dithering parameters corresponding to a predetermined function for a predetermined input intensity range; and dithering pixels of the predetermined input intensity range according to the plurality of dithering parameters.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image includes applying an auto-level transformation to an original image to form a first image, applying an auto-contrast transformation to the original image to form a second image, and applying an auto-brightness transformation to the original image to form a third image. The method further includes applying a color cast correction to the first, the second, and the third images to generate a first group of images, applying a gamma correction to the first group of images to generate a second group of images, applying a sharpening correction to the second group of images to generate a third group of images, and presenting the third group of images to a user to select a final result.

Abstract: In a digital reproduction system incorporating a single pass scanner, accurate image processing results from processing a subset of grayscale image data. More specifically, scanlines that correspond to the leading edge of a document are stored and processed to detect skew and to obtain an appropriate correction. The lead edge correction is then applied to the entire grayscale image. Accordingly, the present systems and methods eliminate skew from grayscale images in real-time. The corrected image is rendered to binary and stored in electronic pre-collation memory and cropping, masking and other image editing operations can be performed on the binary image data before the image is printed.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus capable of storing more data to a remaining region of a storage portion excluding a frame buffer region while displaying an image by an image display portion, is provided. When free space of a system storage portion has become below a predetermined value, a reduction in number of gray scales of the image results in a reduction in a data amount of image data stored in a display data storage region and a reduction in capacity of the display data storage region. This makes it possible to reduce the data amount of image data and increase the free space of the system storage portion while keeping the size of the image displayed by an image display portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems for adaptive dither pattern array generation and application.

Abstract: The gray axis is adjusted such that an optimal representation can be achieved for low saturation colors close to the gray axis. A test pattern including a plurality of images, which have different color tones is printed, and a user selects a most desirable image. The gray axis of an image recording system is adjusted depending on which image is selected. Each of the plurality of images of the test pattern is a photographic color image represented mainly by low saturation colors close to achromatic colors along the gray axis. In accordance with the selected image, the gradation adjustment is performed for each ink color of the image recording system thereby adjusting the gray axis and the tone of colors close to the gray axis.

Abstract: A method of producing a bit-map including rendering a bit-map of a first image using a first stochastic half-tone screen set, rendering a bit-map of a second image using a second stochastic half-tone screen set, wherein the first half-tone screen set and the second half-tone screen set have respectively associated stochastic half-tone screens, and wherein each half-tone screen of the second half-tone screen set is less than 100 percent correlated with, and not an inverse of, the associated half-tone screen of the first half-tone screen set; and merging the bit-map of the first image with the bit-map of the second image.

Abstract: In a threshold matrix generation part 3 implemented by a computer, a tint image in a specified gray level is generated from temporary lighting order set in a matrix area, and a smoothing operation is performed on the tint image, to generate a grayscale evaluation image. The lighting order is modified by changing ordinal numbers in the lighting order of respective positions included in specified areas in the matrix area which correspond to areas around boundaries of halftone dot areas in the tint image on the basis of values of corresponding pixels in the evaluation image.

Abstract: In many cases it is not possible to reproduce enough video levels on a PDP due to timing issues or a specific solution against the false contour effect. In such cases dithering is used to render all required levels. In order to reduce the visibility of the dithering noise there is performed a common change of the sub-field organization together with a modification of the input video data through an appropriate transformation curve based on the human visual system luminance sensitivity (Weber-Fechner law).

Abstract: The teachings provided herein disclose an image processing method for rendering a digital image possessing anti-aliased pixels by selecting a target pixel location within the digital image; observing a set of pixels within a pixel observation window superimposed on the digital image relative to the target pixel location; generating edge-state codes for a plurality of pairs of neighboring vectors of pixels within the pixel observation window; generating edge-identification codes from the plurality of edge-state codes using at least one look-up table; and, utilizing the edge-identification codes to select and apply to the digital image at the target pixel either anti-aliased rendering or conventional halftoning. The anti-aliasing may employ pixel signals that are high addressable and directionally biased to a particular orientation.