Color Patents (Class 345/597)
  • Patent number: 6809741
    Abstract: A color contrast adjuster is disclosed that automatically selects and applies a new color combination for text and background based on the current color combination for the text and background, if the current color combination is a problem color combination. The text can be any text object (such as a hypertext link, bold text, underline text, groups of text etc.) and the background can be any background object whose color can be determined (such as a solid color, a button, a global interchange format file, etc.). Additionally, the color contrast adjuster can store multiple problem and preferred color combinations for each user. The color contrast adjuster can replace a problem color combination with a preferred color combination. Furthermore, the color contrast adjuster can provide example color combinations to a user, allow the user to select a better color combination, and add this preferred and problem combination to a user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Paul Reuben Day
  • Patent number: 6807313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of adaptively enhancing a digital image based on image content. An accurate determination of image type permits implementation of an image enhancement technique that is matched to the image type. The method is advantageous when the image type of the received images can vary. In one embodiment the method distinguishes between line art images and continuous tone images. The method includes application of a window to a pixels in a source array. The number of colors in each of the resulting windowed arrays is determined. Each color can optionally be defined as a range of colors. A color range total is calculated from the sum of the number of windowed arrays in one or more subsets of the plurality of possible numbers of colors. Image type is determined in response to the color range total and an enhancement process matched to the image type is applied to the digital image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Oak Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Allen, Adam L. Carley, Vladmir Levantovsky
  • Patent number: 6803921
    Abstract: A method for determining and assigning colorimetry and authorship device information to an image of unknown colorimetry includes iteratively displaying the image on a display device and selecting possible source device profiles for transforming the image. When a possible source device is indicated or selected, the source device is emulated on the display device and the image is displayed through the emulation. A user can then evaluate the indicated source device and if necessary indicate a new possible source device. When the most likely source device is selected, further image processing is enabled. The method can be carried out on a color image processor comprising a source device emulator and display device interface. The display device interface can use a display device profile for profile connection space to display device transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Thyagarajan Balasubramanian, Robert J. Rolleston, Stephen K. Herron, Katherine Loj
  • Patent number: 6801213
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for driving a digital display adapted to depict a first number of bits per color field during each frame. In use, a second number of bits is displayed which is greater than the first number of bits. This is accomplished by alternating the display of the bits between frames. To this end, additional bits of color are displayed without increasing the number of bits per color field during each frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Brillian Corporation
    Inventors: Neil Bergstrom, Dick Huston, Gang Xu
  • Patent number: 6795086
    Abstract: After applying gray scale conversion to image data of three colors, six hue data are obtained, and then first comparison-result data and second-order terms each relating to one of the six hues, and second comparison-result data each relating to one of the six inter-hue areas are obtained. Matrix calculation is performed on the first comparison-result data, the second comparison-result data, and the second-order terms, using coefficients. By varying the coefficients, adjustment can be made to only the target hue or inter-hue area, without affecting other hues and inter-hue areas. Thus, the six hues and six inter-hue areas can be varied independently, and the large-capacity memory is not required. Moreover, by the use of the gray scale conversion, the effects of the non-linear characteristics of the input signals are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sugiura, Shuichi Kagawa
  • Patent number: 6795083
    Abstract: A method and system enhances the color of an image by manipulating the chrominance and/or luminance signals of the image. Specifically, a color enhancement system sharpens color changes for better picture quality on digital display systems. In one embodiment of the present invention, color changes are detected by a color change detection unit. If the color changes are significant, a color change sharpening unit sharpens the color change to enhance the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: SmartASIC, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunliang Bao, Jin Ji
  • Patent number: 6784897
    Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out translucent-processing to still and moving pictures, includes (a) a judgment unit which judges whether a picture to be displayed is a still or moving picture, (b) a memory which stores first data about first and second pictures to be processed, and second data indicative of a ratio at which pixels of the first and second pictures are blended, (c) a still picture processor which blends color-relating values of the pixels in a portion at which the first and second pictures overlap each other, at the ratio, for producing third data relating to a translucent picture, and stores the thus produced third data in the memory, and (d) a moving picture processor which blends color-relating values of the pixels in a portion at which the first and second pictures overlap each other, at the ratio, for producing fourth data relating to a translucent picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki I
  • Patent number: 6781593
    Abstract: Quantization of the colors in a digital image within a color space is achieved by successively dividing the colour space into a number of compartments in a number of steps, each compartment containing a subset of the colors of the image. Each step comprises: determining the variance in a predetermined number of directions, of the set of colors in a compartment, the variance being calculated by determining a covariance matrix which describes the colors of the set of colors in the compartment and calculating from the values of the variance of the set in the relevant directions, and dividing the compartment into two new compartments on the basis of the largest variance found. Such a method is further refined by subjecting the resulting sets of colors to a predetermined test and, on the basis of the results of that test, recombining sets, and also the compartments corresponding to the recombined sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Océ-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Johannes Couwenberg, Hubertus Marie Jozeph Matheus Boesten
  • Patent number: 6781595
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method and a recording medium therefor control the occurrence of a change in a hue. The histogram of a luminance signal Y is generated in a first step S1. In a second step S2, the histograms of the luminance signals Y are accumulated to generate a cumulative histogram, and the cumulative histogram is subjected to logarithmic approximation thereby to generate a lookup table (LUT) for correcting luminance signals. In a third step S3, a color-difference signal correction parameter LUT is generated by referring to the LUT for correcting luminance signals. In a fourth step S4, an input luminance signal Y is applied to the LUT for correcting luminance signals thereby to acquire a corrected luminance signal Y0. In a fifth step S5, the input luminance signal Y is applied to a color-difference signal correction parameter LUT so as to acquire a correction parameter k.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Kobayashi, Tomoo Mitsunaga, Hiroaki Ono, Ken Nakajima, Chikako Sano, Nobuyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 6781596
    Abstract: Color conversion apparatus and methods are provided for converting a first color value, such as an RGB, L*a*b* or XYZ color value, to a second color value, such as an RGB, CMY, CMKY, L*a*b*, L,C1C2, or XYZ color value, without saturation error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Electronics for Imaging, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Falk
  • Patent number: 6778186
    Abstract: An original color image data is converted to halftone image data having information on density of pixels by a predetermined gray conversion. The predetermined gray conversion includes an RGB ratio adjustment, an RGB ratio adjustment is carried out on reference image data employing different ratios of R, G and B, the results of the predetermined gray conversions including the RGB ratio adjustments employing the different ratios of R, G and B carried out on the reference image data are graphically shown on a screen, an optimal value of the ratio of R, G and B is determined on the basis of comparison of the results of the predetermined gray conversions graphically shown on the screen, and the predetermined gray conversion including an RGB ratio adjustment employing the optimal value of the ratio of R, G and B is carried out on the original color image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Mehigan
  • Patent number: 6762801
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for varying the transmittance of light through selected portions of a media on which images are displayed, the system including an image display panel, an image display source for projecting images on the media, LC-based, variable transmittance optical (VTO) media, a light sensor for measuring ambient light, and a signal generator connected to the VTO media for applying voltage to portions of the media at levels determined and controlled by the sensor, whereby the transmittance of light through the portions of the media is varied in accordance with the prevailing ambient light. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: ELOP Electro-Optics Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Victor Weiss, Uzi Orion
  • Patent number: 6747661
    Abstract: Graphics data representing color values of pixels are compressed into a data structure. Each pixel has a color value that results from the combination of a luma component and chroma components. The number of bits representing the luma and chroma components of a pixel are reduced to less than eight bits, and the luma components of at least four pixels and at least two chroma components are combined into a data structure r bits in length. The number of bits of the data structure is derived from r=2s, where s is an integer greater than or equal to five.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6744441
    Abstract: A texture picture with a highest resolution is selected among a plurality of pictures taken from different points of view for each patch surface, and texture mapping is carried out by pasting a texture picture selected for a patch surface on the patch surface. Then, processing is carried out to correct differences in concentration, which are caused by differences in beam-source condition, between pictures or between patch surfaces. As the correction processing, inter-frame picture-concentration-value correction, inter-patch texture-picture-shift correction and inter-patch boundary concentration smoothing correction are performed to allow texture mapping with a high picture quality to be carried out to produce a three-dimensional picture having a high quality. It is thus possible to provide a texture mapping technique capable of producing a three-dimensional picture having a high picture quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Weiguo Wu, Atsushi Yokoyama, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 6741260
    Abstract: The following steps (1) to (3) are executed by using a computer toning apparatus constituted by (A) a calorimeter, (B) micro-brilliant-feeling sample-color tags, and (C) a computer in which a plurality of paint blendings, color data and micro-brilliant-feeling data corresponding to the paint blendings, and color characteristic data and micro-brilliant-feeling characteristic data of a plurality of primary-color paints are entered and a color-matching logic works: (1) a step of measuring a reference color with which a paint color should be matched by a colorimeter and obtaining the color data of the reference color, (2) a step of comparing the reference color with the micro-brilliant-feeling sample-color tags and deciding the micro-brilliant-feeling of the reference color, and (3) a step of comparing the color data and micro-brilliant feeling of the reference color with the color data and micro-brilliant feeling data corresponding to the paint blendings previously entered in the computer, and selecting a prospe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Kansai Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Hirayama, Shinichi Gamou
  • Patent number: 6741224
    Abstract: A video pre-amplifier for increasing OSD signal colors in a display device and a method thereof includes an OSD interface block, a video signal amplifying block, an IIC bus control unit, and an intensity control unit. An OSD interface block receives the R, G, and B OSD signals, modifies, or levels, the R, G, and B OSD signals in response R, G, and B control signal, and outputs the leveled R, G, and B OSD signals. A video signal amplifying block synthesizes the leveled R, G, and B OSD signals with the R, G, and B video signals, respectively, amplifies the synthesized signals, and generating R, G, and B output signals. An IIC bus control unit controls the interface between a microcontroller and the video signal amplifying block in the display device and generates a predetermined mode signal. An intensity control unit generates the R, G, and B control signals based on combinations of bits of the mode signal and a predetermined intensity control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji-hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 6725772
    Abstract: A method provides reference profile density values for at least one color combination having a plurality of colors produced by a reference device using a reference colorant set, at least one overprint color combination having reference initial percent dot values (IPDVs); providing current profile density values for at least one color combination produced by a current device using a current colorant set, at least one color combination produced by the current colorant set having current IPDVs; quantifying reference theoretical percent dot values (TPDVs) as efficiency attributes using reference colorant set; quantifying current TPDVs as efficiency attributes using the current colorant set; and calculating factors that compensate for at least one difference between image data produced with the reference colorant set and image data to be printed with the current colorant set in response to reference efficiency attributes and current efficiency attributes, factors used to adjust and generate image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Ackley Martinez Company
    Inventors: Henry Martinez, Barry W. Krause, Charles Martinez
  • Patent number: 6724937
    Abstract: A method for identifying one or more image frames (100) from a series (104) of video image frames, in order to print, store or flag the selected frames. The method calculates a gradient value for each image frame in a video shot (102) series, identifies one or more gradient value peaks (324) in a corresponding range of a raw data series (302), and selects the image frames (110) corresponding to the identified gradient value peaks. Two types of frames (202, 206) are identified as being suitable for printing. A first type (202) comprises frames with a high gradient content, where the image is sharply defined. A second type of frame (206) also has good focus, but is representative of periods of relative stillness, or lack of motion between consecutive image frames (100) during the video shot series (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jing Wu, John Richard Windle
  • Patent number: 6714206
    Abstract: A method and system for establishing intensity levels for sub-pixels of a display device with overlapping logical pixels. The dithering system combines frame rate control techniques with contributions from overlapping pixels to establish the intensity level of each sub-pixel. The dithering system initially provides an assignment of frame numbers to each sub-pixel. The dithering system then receives a logical pixel color that includes an intensity value for each component color (e.g., red, green, and blue) for each logical pixel. The dithering system maps each component intensity value of each logical pixel to an intensity value with a low depth plus a remainder. The dithering system generates a sub-pixel intensity value for each sub-pixel of each logical pixel using frame rate control to adjust the intensity value of each sub-pixel based on the remainder and current frame number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Silicon Image
    Inventors: Russel A. Martin, Dale Adams, Duane Siemens, Hugo Steemers
  • Patent number: 6714204
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system of transmitting image data from a server via a network or another communication path to a cellular phone or another terminal. In order to enhance the picture quality of displayed images, the system causes input image data to be subjected to a tone correction process and a halftoning process according to display characteristics of the terminal. Image processing packages are provided in both the server and the terminal. The system selectively uses these image processing packages according to their processing capacities. The server determines execution or non-execution of image processing according to the type of the terminal. When any image processing is carried out in the server, a control signal representing execution of the image processing is mapped to the processed image data and transmitted to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Ishida, Naoki Kuwata
  • Patent number: 6714208
    Abstract: The method of displaying a monochromatic image on a color monitor and the image display apparatus display the monochromatic image on a color display device with red, green and blue cells as a unit pixel. In the method and apparatus, all density regions of the monochromatic image to be displayed are provided with bluish tints. The image data for the monochromatic image is output for display after it is allotted to red, green and blue data to satisfy following relationships: R data=kR·B data(0<kR<1) G data=kG·B data(0<kG<1), where symbols R, G and B denote red, green and blue, respectively and symbols kR and kG denote allotment ratios for R and G data to B data, respectively. By the method and the apparatus, the so-called “blue based” monochromatic films used in the medical field can be displayed in a format (characteristics) suitable for diagnostic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6693642
    Abstract: According to a degree of brightness degradation of image display means, a gradation conversion table to be used is easily selected. A gradation conversion table storing unit for storing 3 gradation conversion tables having different input/output characteristics, table selection means for selecting one of the 3 gradation conversion tables, a gradation correction unit for carrying out gradation conversion processing on an image signal according to the selected table, image display means for displaying a visible image represented by an image signal after the gradation conversion processing, and a contrast pattern storing unit for storing contrast patterns at a plurality of levels changing gradation recognition performance in accordance with a plurality of levels of the brightness degradation of the image display means are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6681041
    Abstract: A system and method converts input color data in different formats into a working color space. In the case that the input data includes a device color profile and the desired working color space is an RGB space, gamma information of the input data may be extracted from the color profile. In a Simplified extraction process, the gamma information may be extracted by combining one-dimensional LUTs in the profile in a gray-scale conversion to form a gamma table. When the color profile is a more complex profile, such as one of the regular ICC profile format, a full extraction process may be used, in which gamma information is derived from each of the front end, middle and back end portions of the profile. The derived gamma information may then be combined to provide a final gamma table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Stokes, Adrian Secchia, Gilman Wong, Hock San Lee
  • Patent number: 6677959
    Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing a digital image without distortion of the color. The result is an adjusted image which preserves the essential color of each and every dot in the input digital image while varying the effective light gathering power—like a virtual flash. The image enhancement is performed in RGB color space and comprises determining the maximum strength of the R,G, and B of a dot's RGB triplet and similarly for all dots. The dot maximums are scaled through a scaling function which is constrained in domain and range to the system's dynamic range. The same scaling factor that is applied to a dot maximum is also applied to each of R,G and B in the triplet. Preferably, a continuous scaling function is provided which smoothly approaches the minimum and maximum of the system's dynamic range for providing an aesthetically pleasing enhancement while maintaining true color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Athentech Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Brian G. James
  • Patent number: 6646649
    Abstract: A monochrome display device easily and clearly distinguishes a multicolored character image from a multicolored background image by employing four gradations of monochrome. First and second monochrome gradations are assigned to any respective non-colored and colored elements of the background image and third and fourth monochrome gradations are assigned to any respective non-colored and colored elements of the character image to display a composite image of the background image and the character image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignees: King Jim Co., Ltd., Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Tanabe, Hiroshi Ono, Yoshiharu Konishi, Hitoshi Hayama
  • Patent number: 6642934
    Abstract: An on-screen display (OSD) processor, processing method and article of manufacture are provided having a color mapped mode, direct color mode, and 4:2:2 profile mode. The OSD processor implements both color mapped OSD region processing capability and direct color OSD region processing capability, along with an ability to store quantizer coefficients for the 4:2:2 profile mode of a video decoder coupled to the OSD processor. The capabilities of the OSD processor are implemented using a common embedded memory within the processor. During color mapped OSD region processing, color table data is temporarily stored within the embedded memory, while in direct color OSD region processing, direct color descriptions are stored within the embedded memory. When the video decoder is decoding a 4:2:2 formatted image, the embedded memory of the OSD processor is used to temporarily store inverse quantization data for the decode function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Hrusecky, Bryan J. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6636229
    Abstract: A gradation correction circuit comprises: an arithmetic means (101˜104, 106, 108˜110) for operating an output value corresponding to each broken point of a broken line in a vertical blanking period; a level detection circuit 107 for identifying a size relation between each broken line point which is an input value corresponding to each broken point and an input video signal, and calculating a difference between the input video signal and each broken line point; and a correction means (101˜102, 104, 107, 109˜111) for selecting a gradient of the broken line on the basis of the result identified by the level detection circuit 107, and performing gradation correction of the input video signal on the basis of the selected gradient of the broken line, the output value calculated by the arithmetic means, and the difference calculated by the level detection circuit, wherein the arithmetic means and the correction means share a number of circuits (102, 109, 110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuya Ishikawa, Atsuhisa Kageyama, Keiichi Ito
  • Patent number: 6633301
    Abstract: A display system includes a light modulator divided into an array of individually controllable pixels and an input-driven illumination device. The illumination device is adapted to receive a variable input and is configured to direct light of variable intensity onto the modulator, depending on the input. The display system further includes a calibrating arrangement for establishing the input to the illumination device to produce a desired intensity level of light. The calibrating arrangement includes a light sensing mechanism, which senses the light from the illumination device while the illumination device is driven by an initial input. The calibration arrangement is configured to determine a comparison between the sensed light and a value representative of the desired-intensity level. The calibration arrangement further includes a control arrangement responsive to the comparison for varying the input so as to provide light of the desired intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Displaytech, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Dallas, Ryan Patrick Donohue, Mark A. Handschy, Gani Jusuf, Colm Lysaght, Rainer Malzbender
  • Patent number: 6628296
    Abstract: A method and equipment implementing the method for processing digital image information. The image information consists of a bit stream comprising a first set of successive source values, for which a corresponding output value can be determined. In the method it is read a source value, and it is determined an output value corresponding to the source value. Further, it is determined a residual part corresponding to the difference between the source value and the output value; it is calculated the sum of said residual part and the next source value; said sum is used as the next source value as a response to said sum being lower than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. The invention provides a fast colour dithering method for such solutions in which the processing time of an image is desired to be the shortest possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventor: Juhani Mättö
  • Publication number: 20030179212
    Abstract: Parameters for mapping colors from an input system to an output system are determined by displaying a set of adjustment colors in the input system and outputting a reference color pattern in the output system. A human operator selects the reference colors most closely matching the adjustment colors. The mapping parameters are determined from the operator's selections, by table look-up or by use of a mathematical formula, for example. Accurate color mapping parameters can be generated in this way without the need for trial and error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Nobuhito Matsushiro, Yasushi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6621497
    Abstract: After applying gray scale conversion to image data of three colors, six hue data are obtained, and then first comparison-result data and second-order terms each relating to one of the six hues, and second comparison-result data each relating to one of the six inter-hue areas are obtained. Matrix calculation is performed on the first comparison-result data, the second comparison-result data, and the second-order terms, using coefficients. By varying the coefficients, adjustment can be made to only the target hue or inter-hue area, without affecting other hues and inter-hue areas. Thus, the six hues and six inter-hue areas can be varied independently, and the large-capacity memory is not required. Moreover, by the use of the gray scale conversion, the effects of the non-linear characteristics of the input signals are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroaki Sugiura, Shuichi Kagawa
  • Patent number: 6618054
    Abstract: A graphics system comprising a rendering engine, a sample buffer and a filtering engine. The rendering engine receives graphics primitives, generates sample positions, computes a depth value and color values for each sample position interior to each primitive. The blur value is assigned to each sample based on its depth value relative to an estimate of the concentration depth of the viewer. The per-sample data are stored in the sample buffer. The filtering engine reads samples in a neighborhood of a current filter position, and filters the samples to generate a video output pixel which is transmitted to a display device. The filtering engine applies to each sample in the neighborhood a corresponding filter function. The filter function has a spatial cutoff frequency determined by the sample's blur value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Deering
  • Patent number: 6611274
    Abstract: The color of a pixel is represented in a pixel storage word, wherein color coordinate data and intensity data are coded separately in two fields of the pixel storage word, the color field and the intensity field. This permits a range of colors to be represented in a relatively small number of bits. In one embodiment of the invention, each of the three color coordinates of an input color is coded separately. The coded color components are concatenated and placed in a coded color field of the pixel storage word. In another embodiment of the invention, the color coordinate data is encoded as a color index, a binary value which maps to color coordinate data according to a predefined color table. Intensity data is also encoded with a binary value. The coded intensity can represent the intensity directly, or can be an index to intensity data stored in a predetermined intensity table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy B. Keely, Andrew J. Palay
  • Patent number: 6606166
    Abstract: Generating a target image having a target palette from a source image. In general, in one aspect, a technique for generating from a source image a target image comprising target pixels having colors limited to colors found in a target palette includes: determining a source color of a region of the source image corresponding to a location of a target pixel; generating two or more candidate colors for the source color, where the candidate colors are in the target palette; selecting one candidate color from the two or more candidate colors; and setting a target color of the target pixel to be the selected candidate color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas Knoll
  • Patent number: 6587116
    Abstract: Aspects for maintaining and providing a calibrated color environment for display devices of a computer system. In an aspect of an exemplary method, the method includes determining relevant state data, including a framebuffer driver state and a display driver state. The method further includes saving the relevant state data as calibration information for the calibrated color environment. The relevant state data includes information about a display that has an effect on color, such as a framebuffer driver state, a display driver state, and phospher characteristics of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Hendry, David Hayward, John Calhoun, Eric Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030117415
    Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for transforming three dimensional (3D) color information into a color standard is described. A 3D cube defined by eight RGB color points representing the eight vertices of the 3D cube is stored. Each of the eight points represents one of the colors: red, yellow, white, magenta, blue, black, green and cyan. In addition, each of the eight points represents the difference between the capacity of a display and the color standard. The 3D cube is divided into six tetrahedrons and the tetrahedron corresponding to an input RGB pixel is selected. A 3×3 matrix based on the vertices of the selected tetrahedron is calculated. The 3×3 matrix is then multiplied by the components of the input RGB pixel to produce an output RGB pixel conforming to the color standard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Fritz Lebowsky, Charles F. Neugebauer
  • Patent number: 6580434
    Abstract: A method to use most of the colors that are available when rendering color images where a limited number of colors are available such as rendering images in VGA mode. The instant invention determines the maximum value of the color intensity values of a true color to display at a given (x, y) position. The number of full intensity values and half intensity values are determined and the number of half intensity color values are maximized. A halftone matrix is used and a halftone value is chosen from the halftone matrix using a modulo function. The color to be used at the (x, y) position is then selected based upon the full intensity values and the halftone value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Donald B. Curtis
  • Patent number: 6573917
    Abstract: A calendar and method for providing personalized messages based on color preferences. The calendar includes a plurality of color representations configured to permit the selection of at least one favorite color representation and at least one least favorite color representation. Each color representation is associated with a different period of time on the calendar. A message is provided which is varied with each period of time and is determined based upon whether the color representation associated with the current period of time corresponds with the favorite and least favorite color representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Energia, Inc.
    Inventor: Dewey G. Sadka
  • Patent number: 6563510
    Abstract: A paint color matching and coordinating system comprises an interface for receiving an input reference color, a processor capable of reading a memory, a memory including (1) instructions readable by the processor and (2) a database of architectural paint colors spanning all or most of the known color space, and a display generator. In use, the interface of the system receives an input reference color from a user. The processor selects a “reference paint color” from the database, the reference paint color being visually closer, with respect to color space, to the input reference color than any other paint color in the database. According to the invention, color space is divided into a plurality of fixed, generally equally sized, non-overlapping, contiguous portions, each color space portion being defined as the space of all colors within a band of hues within color space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Behr Process Corporation
    Inventors: Mary R. Rice, James P. Pace
  • Patent number: 6559857
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dithering for color computer display systems includes the addition of a noise component to each of the color components of each pixel in a pseudo-random manner. The noise component is preferably different for each color component. Taking the image as a whole, the noise component repeats on a regular basis but is preferably selected so as not to repeat on adjacent pixels. The image is divided into squares of pixels and the same noise component is added to each of the same relative pixels from square to square. The preferred square of pixels is four pixels wide by four pixels high. The value of the noise component is chosen such that the most significant bit alternates both horizontally and vertically from pixel to pixel within the square of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gunawan Ali-Santosa, Marcelino M. Dignum
  • Patent number: 6549213
    Abstract: A device and method for harmonizing color. The color harmonizing device of the present invention includes a plurality of color representations defined as base colors. Each base color is associated with a complementary color representation, a pair of split complementary color representations, and a pair of triadic match color representations. The complementary color representation, each split complementary color representation, and each triadic match color representation are associated with a quality such as a personality trait or mood. Each color representation, including the base color, is divided into a spectrum of colors based upon hue. Each color of the spectrum of the base color may be matched with the colors in the spectrums of the complementary color representation, the pair of split complementary color representations, and the pair of triadic match color representations based upon a desire for one of the qualities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Energia, Inc.
    Inventor: Dewey G. Sadka
  • Patent number: 6545685
    Abstract: A method for implementing edge blending between a first and second video frame to create a seamless multichannel display system. The method is implemented in a graphics computer system including a processor coupled to a memory via a bus. Within the computer system, a first video frame is rendered for display on a first video channel. A second video frame is rendered for display on a second channel. A first overlap region is rendered onto the first frame to obtain a first blended video frame. A second overlap region is blended onto the second frame to obtain a second blended video frame. The first blended video frame from the first channel and the second blended video frame from the second channel are then combined such that the first overlap region and the second overlap region correspond, thereby forming a seamless junction between the first blended frame and the second blended frame and implementing a high fidelity multichannel display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventor: Angus Dorbie
  • Patent number: 6542162
    Abstract: An on-screen display (OSD) processor, processing method and article of manufacture are provided having a color mapped mode, direct color mode, and 4:2:2 profile mode. The OSD processor implements both color mapped OSD region processing capability and direct color OSD region processing capability, along with an ability to store quantizer coefficients for the 4:2:2 profile mode of a video decoder coupled to the OSD processor. The capabilities of the OSD processor are implemented using a common embedded memory within the processor. During color mapped OSD region processing, color table data is temporarily stored within the embedded memory, while in direct color OSD region processing, direct color descriptions are stored within the embedded memory. When the video decoder is decoding a 4:2:2 formatted image, the embedded memory of the OSD processor is used to temporarily store inverse quantization data for the decode function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Hrusecky, Bryan J. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6529204
    Abstract: A method of displaying a dynamic halftone image on a display panel made of pixels divides each frame of the image into subframes and turns on and off the subframes. The method includes the steps of finding a line of pixels that simultaneously display a specific intensity level in a frame and another specific intensity level in the next frame, counting the number of pixels in the line, selecting corrective pulses, which turn on/off corresponding subframes to enable/disable corresponding intensity levels, according to the counted number and a change in the specific intensity levels between the frames, and adjusting original display signals for the pixels in the line according to the corrective pulses, respectively. The method eliminates halftone disturbance and false color contours from the image even if the moving speed of the image on the display panel is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Shigeo Mikoshiba
    Inventors: Shigeo Mikoshiba, Takahiro Yamaguchi, Kosaku Toda, Tsutae Shinoda, Kyoji Kariya, Toshio Ueda
  • Patent number: 6522338
    Abstract: Color matching method wherein relatively small number of input color data sets (Xn, Rn) are applied to first image processor, to obtain the corresponding output color data sets (Rn, Xn) which are interpolated to obtain relatively large number of output color data sets, which are used to obtain relatively large number of the corresponding input color data sets by inverse estimation, for obtaining first high-resolution input-output relationship Rn=fimage(Xn) or Xn=fdisp(Rn) of the first image processor, and wherein second high-resolution input-output relationship (Xn=fdisp(Rn) or Xn=fcopy(Rn) of second image processor is similarly obtained, so that a color data correlationship Rn(SG2)=f(Rn(SG1)) or Rn(SG3)=f(Rn(SG2)) for converting the relatively large number of input color data sets of the first image processor into the relatively large number of input color data sets of the second image processor is obtained according to the first and second high-resolution input-outp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Takagi
  • Patent number: 6519360
    Abstract: An image data processing apparatus for comparing images based on color feature information of images. The image data processing apparatus has a color group sorting table that stores information for sorting colors to a plurality of color groups. The image data processing apparatus counts color elements of each pixel of the image for every color group with reference to the color group sorting table. The image data processing apparatus obtains a representative color of each color group based on values of the color elements of pixels in every color group and an occupancy ratio of pixels counted for every color group to all pixels of the image, thereby extracts the color feature of the image. The image data processing apparatus compares images based on the color feature and searches desired images from an image database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sumiyo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6509903
    Abstract: A two-stage method for recording a quality enhanced image on a substrate has a preparation and a production stage. In the preparation stage, the digital image file is scanned for adjacent color pairs with different color values. This exhaustive list is processed according to predetermined criteria per type of output device, creating a sub-list of color pairs that might potentially create artifacts on the recorded image. Several such sub-lists may be created, each per potential output technology to be used. Each sub-list of color pairs is accompanied by modification parameters, indicating the action that needs to be taken in the recording stage, in order to avoid the artifacts and thereby enhance the recorded image quality. In the second, Production stage, this enhancement information, prepared for the actual output device to be used, is used to modify the imaging parameters such as screening parameters, taking into consideration production information such as enlargement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Creoscitex Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Hanan Yosefi
  • Patent number: 6469708
    Abstract: An image dithering device processing in both time domain and space domain to improve the image quality of an LCD digital display is disclosed. The device comprises a Gamma Table for performing Gamma processing on input signals; a counter module for generating a row counting value and a column counting value by counting the vertical synchronizing signal, horizontal synchronizing signal, and image pixel clock of the LCD image control system; a dithering value generating module for providing a dithering value for each pixel according to the row counting value and the column counting value, the dithering value generating module having a matrix with different value; and a calculation module for performing calculation on the value output form the Gamma Table and the dithering value for decreasing the bits of the input image value so as to fit the input data bits of the LCD display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Myson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tung-hai Wu, Jen-chung Weng, Kuei-hsiang Chen, Jia-der Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6469706
    Abstract: A surface color code book is used to allow region localization and recognition within images without the need for pre-segmentation of the image. Pixels in an image are first mapped into an optimal color space and assigned a closest color label from the surface color code book. Clusters of adjacent pixels having a similar color label are then tentatively grouped to form a region. These tentative regions are then projected into the optimal color space and a descriptor is formulated for each re-projected cluster. Each descriptor is compared against the color codes in the color code book to determine if the initially assigned color label was correct; if correct, then that region receives both a color label from the color code book and a region identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Tanveer Fathima Syeda-Mahmood
  • Patent number: 6466225
    Abstract: A method of halftoning input image data intended for reproduction on a display (114) having a plurality of pixels (23-27) and a limited pixel response time (see FIG. 1) is disclosed. In a first halftone cycle (K=n), the method comprises (first) halftoning an input value (30) to display an extreme representable (100% or 0%). In a second halftone cycle (K=n+1), (second) halftoning the input value (30) to display an intermediate value such that the average of the extreme representable value and the intermediate value is substantially equal to the input value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kieran Gerard Larkin, Peter William Mitchell Ilbery, Michael Alexander Oldfield