Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide sampling methods suited for graphics hardware acceleration. A graphics application may specify a grid of pixels to be rendered. The graphics application may supply a graphics rendering engine with one or more sets of camera parameters. Each set of camera parameters is used to alter the position of the pixel grid relative its original position so that a grid of samples can be generated at the new grid position. The graphics rendering engine then renders a grid of samples at the new grid position. Each sample grid may be used sampled to determine a set of intermediate color values that may be blended together to generate a final color value for each pixel in the pixel grid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for displaying the contents of a file on a display of a computer. Upon receiving an enlargement instruction for performing an enlarged display of a file, a computer detects whether an object included in the file is to be included in an enlarged display range of the file. When it is detected that the object is not to be included in the enlarged display range, the enlarged display range is automatically changed, whereby a user can understand which part of the file the enlarged display range corresponds to without performing a complicated operation.

Abstract: A method of reducing mosquito noise in a digital image. As mosquito noise is often most plainly visible in the “background” of an image (e.g., the sky or some other backdrop to objects within an image), the luminance value of the background of the image is first determined. Then, the luminances of the pixels of the image are compared against this “background luminance” to determine which should be considered as part of this background. The luminances of these background pixels are then averaged so as to smooth out the representation of the background, and reduce mosquito noise.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for anti-aliased rendering. A plurality of objects is received. Each object in the plurality of objects is depth-ordered. Each object is rendered from back to front into a plurality of pixels. Each pixel in the plurality of pixels has a respective color value. The rendering includes selecting an object from the plurality of objects. Respective alpha values are determined for first pixels in the plurality of pixels based on coverage of the first pixels by the selected object. The respective color value of each of the first pixels is attenuated based on the respective alpha values. The respective color value of each of the first pixels is added to based on the respective alpha values and one or more color properties associated with the selected object.

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: In one embodiment of the present invention, an image display device capable of providing adequate quality of a moving image regardless of an image signal level of an input image signal is disclosed.

Abstract: In a graphics processing system, when a 16× sampling mask is used for sampling the image to be displayed, fragments are generated and rendered to generate rendered fragment data for each covered sampling position. However, the 16× sampling mask (81, 84, 86, 89) can be divided into a two-level hierarchy for the purpose of associating its sampling points with fragments that are to be rendered, namely a first level in which a fragment (82, 85, 88) is associated with all 16 sampling points of the 16× sampling mask, and a second level in which a fragment (91, 92) is only associated with four sampling points of the 16× sampling mask.

Abstract: A locus smoothing method processes a current estimated displacement according to a predetermined number of previous output smoothed displacements. The locus smoothing method includes the steps of: accumulating a predetermined number of previous output smoothed displacements to produce an accumulated displacement and recording a last output smoothed displacement; estimating a current estimated displacement; forming a digital filter according to the accumulated displacement, the last output smoothed displacement and the current estimated displacement; processing the current estimated displacement with the digital filter to produce a current smoothed displacement; and transmitting the current smoothed displacement to an image display. The present invention further provides a navigation device having smooth locus.

Abstract: Systems and method for implementing anti-aliasing with image stabilizing subsystems for cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise characterizing motion of a camera, characterizing aliasing for an image being photographed by the camera, and moving at least one optical element in the camera during exposure of the image for both stabilizing and anti-aliasing the image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a gradation converting unit configured to simultaneously perform space-direction ?? modulation and time-direction ?? modulation on an image, thereby converting a gradation level of the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of automatically digitizing analog video and stroke and with size and positioning information. This is accomplished using signal characteristics of the deflection waveforms and video signals together with the video synchronization and blanking timing. This allows analog real time positioning and scaling by synchronizing the video data and deflection information. The deflection information in the form of signals either or both horizontal or X axis and vertical or Y axis characteristics such as amplitude, peak or peak to peak, and zero crossing, can be used to determine the size or scaling for each axis independently.

Abstract: A system for alpha blending at least a portion of an image of a window with a background image, where the image of the window is captured by an alpha blender and blended together with an image of the background also captured by the alpha blender. The resulting alpha-blended image is then displayed within the window to give at least a portion of the window the appearance of smooth, anti-aliased edges.

Abstract: A method of smoothing a triangulated raster image includes the steps of: triangulating the image to create triangles having vertices, each of which is centered on a pixel of the image; comparing the costs of a first and a second orientation of an edge of each pair of adjacent triangles that forms a quadrilateral; swapping the edge of the pair of triangles to the lower cost orientation; and iterating the comparing and swapping until a stopping point is reached. The cost function used may include a cost factor that causes a triangle edge orientation that aligns with a both a color and an intensity of a color intensity contour line of the image to have a lower cost than a triangle edge orientation that does not so align.

Abstract: An object recognition apparatus in an embodiment includes an image input unit, an object detection unit, a diffuse reflection image generation unit, an object model storage unit, a difference image generation unit, a weight calculation unit, a weighted Gaussian filter application unit, a filter processing unit, and an identification unit. A weight to be assigned to a weighted Gaussian filter is determined in view of variations in lighting conditions and reflection components of pixels of an input image.

Abstract: A method includes making a first determination as to whether a current pixel has a value which reflects a mosquito noise artifact, and determining whether to apply a filtering process at the current pixel based on a result of the first determination. In addition, or alternatively, a method includes making a second determination as to whether a current pixel has a value which reflects a ringing artifact, and determining whether to apply a filtering process at the current pixel based on a result of the second determination.

Abstract: A method and system for performing multi-sample, antialiased rendering of images by performing multi-sample antialiasing at the primitive level. Geometric primitives used to represent a graphics environment are set-up, and then shifted by a sub-pixel offset and rendered to generate values for pixels of an intermediate image. The shifting and rendering is repeated for the geometric primitive, each time generating values for pixels of another intermediate image. The values for the pixels of the intermediate images are combined to produce values for the respective pixels of the resulting image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing method of a sequence of images comprising image points each of which is associated with a colour component. The method comprises a processing step of at least one image of the sequence from reference images, the processing step being adapted to reduce the flicker effects. According to the invention, the reference images are selected according to the following stages: calculate, for at least one image part of each of the images of the sequence, the mean value of the colour component, the mean value being associated with the image, and a first selection step to select from the mean values a first series of reference images forming a subset of the sequence.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a control module configured such that, when an angles calculated are predetermined angles, processing by a processing module is not performed on blocks corresponding to the predetermined angles, and when the angles calculated are angles other than the predetermined angle, the processing by the processing module is performed on blocks corresponding to the angles other than the predetermined angles.

Abstract: A method of at least one embodiment has three method sections. In the first method section, 3D projection data is generated by 3D scanning of the examination subject and first 3D image data is reconstructed therefrom by means of convolution back projection. In the second method section, the image artifacts present in the first 3D image data because of the metal parts are corrected via simple correction methods which produce at least a coarse reduction in the image artifacts involving a low degree of computational complexity. In the third method section, 2D image data is selected from the corrected 3D image data and made available. For image artifacts still contained in the 2D image data, more complex correction methods than in the second method section are used which permit effective elimination of the image artifacts.

Abstract: A patterned polygon rendering apparatus has an edge dot attribute setting section 1 that assigns an attribute dot, which indicates an edge of a polygon, to respective dots located in an edge line of the polygon and stores the assigned attribute dots in work memory 2 on a per-dot basis, to thus perform edge processing; an internal attribute dot setting section 3 that assigns an attribute dot, which indicates the inside of the polygon, to respective dots located in an internal region of the polygon by reference to the work memory 2 and stores the assigned attribute dots into the work memory 2, to thus perform painting processing; and a pattern setting section 4 that sets edge color data to the dots assigned the attribute dots, which indicate the edges of the polygon, by reference to the work memory 2, sets pattern data to the dots assigned the attribute dots indicating the inside of the polygon, and renders the data stored in the work memory 2 to the frame memory 6, to thus perform pattern setting processing.

Abstract: Polygon rendering systems for rendering a polygon in an image to be displayed include a rasterizer unit, a first memory buffer, and one or more additional memory buffers. The rasterizer unit is configured to generate one or more low resolution fragments representing a portion of the polygon at a low resolution and one or more high resolution fragments representing a portion of the polygon at one or more higher resolutions. The first memory buffer is configured to store the low resolution fragments as pixels. The first memory buffer is further configured to store data based on the one or more high resolution fragments. The one or more additional memory buffers are configured to store the high resolution fragments as high-resolution sub-pixels.

Abstract: A noise removing filter removes noise from an input image and an edge component extracting unit extracts edge components. The edge components are extracted by calculating a difference between the input image and a smoothed image, which is obtained by smoothing the input image in a smoothed image generating portion. An edge component comparing unit compares the extracted edge components with a threshold value and a sum calculating unit calculates the sum of the edge components greater than the threshold value. A control circuit determines, the enhancement degree of the edges based on the sum and averaged luminance of the input image calculated by an average luminance calculating unit. An enhancement degree adjustment unit adjusts the determined enhancement degree, and an edge component enhancement unit enhances the edge components based on this enhancement degree and adds it to the input image to perform edge enhancement processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing frame rates during multimedia playback are described herein. The ideal playback timing associated with video data is determined. If an actual playback timing of the video data lags the ideal playback timing, a frame rate associated with the video data is varied using a smoothing function to recover toward the ideal playback timing. An iterative frame-dropping algorithm is applied to vary the frame rate in accordance with the smoothing function. The smoothing function incorporates as a variable an average delay associated with playback of frames in the video data.

Abstract: A graphics processing circuit includes an anti-aliasing and stippling circuit operative to provide a primitive texture coordinate set in response to vertex data, the anti-aliasing and stippling circuit performing anti-aliasing operations, in parallel, with at least one appearance attribute determination operation on the vertex data, a rasterizer, coupled to the anti-aliasing and stippling circuit, operative to generate a pixel texture coordinate set in response to the primitive texture coordinate set, and apply an appearance value to a pixel defined by the pixel texture coordinate set, and a texture circuit, coupled to the rasterizer, operative to retrieve the appearance value from a corresponding one of a plurality of textures in a multi-texture map in response to the pixel texture coordinate set, the multi-texture map including data representing point, line and polygon texture data.

Abstract: Antialiasing selection condition data 200 are inputted to an antialiasing selection condition data input means 3. An antialiasing method determining means 5 determines an antialiasing method corresponding to data to be drawn on the basis of the antialiasing selection condition data 200. An antialiasing method selecting means 6 selects data about the determined antialiasing method from antialiasing method data 300 inputted to an antialiasing method data input means 4. An antialiasing processing means 7 performs an antialiasing process on the data to be drawn by using the antialiasing method data selected by the antialiasing method selecting means 6.

Abstract: The system includes a bounds primitive rasterizer that rasterizes a bounds primitive into a selection of primitive pixels. The selection of primitive pixels bounds a shape to be rendered to a screen. The system also includes a pixel mask generator that generates a pixel mask for the shape. The pixel mask includes mask pixels that each corresponds to one of the primitive pixels. A mask pixel is a covered pixel when the shape covers at least a threshold portion of the mask pixel and is an uncovered pixel when the shape does not cover the mask pixel. The system also includes a pixel screener configured to retain primitive pixels that correspond to covered mask pixels and to discard primitive pixels that correspond to uncovered mask pixels.

Abstract: Hybrid architecture of supersampling and computing distance from a feature edge or Bezier evaluation to address thin feature support in graphics systems. To avoid missing some features the technique creates a supersampling of a small number of supersamples to pick up the thin features. By supersampling, samples can be produced on both sides of a thin feature, which causes thin features to be detectable by some pixel. Now that the thin features hit some pixel, the quality is achieved by a distance-from-edge approach. For example, the technique can supersample four times in combination with the distance-from-edge approach, produce another four samples there resulting in a 16-sample result.

Abstract: There is provided a display area made up of a pixel array with a non-rectangular shaped outer circumference and the pixel array is made up of a plurality of non-rectangular pixels wherein a first conductor line group including a plurality of first conductor lines and a second conductor line group including a plurality of second conductor lines, and a third conductor line group including a plurality of third conductor lines are arranged so as to intersect with one another. Thus, without sacrificing brightness, viewability, and fidelity of an image, pixel array (display device) with the non-rectangular outer circumferential shape being excellent in design characteristics is realized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing multisampling-based antialiasing in a system that includes first and second graphics processing unit (GPUs) that reduces the amount of data transferred between the GPUs and improves the efficiency with which such data is transferred. The first GPU renders a first version of a frame using a first multisampling pattern and the second GPU renders a second version of a frame in the second GPU using a second multisampling pattern. The second GPU identifies non-edge pixels in the second version of the frame. The pixels in the first version of the frame are then combined with only those pixels in the second version of the frame that have not been identified as non-edge pixels to generate a combined frame.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically adjusting the pixel sampling rate during primitive shading can improve image quality or increase shading performance. Hybrid antialiasing is performed by selecting a number of shaded samples per pixel fragment. A combination of supersample and multisample antialiasing is used where a cluster of sub-pixel samples (multisamples) is processed for each pass through a fragment shader pipeline. The number of shader passes and multisamples in each cluster can be determined dynamically for each primitive based on rendering state.

Abstract: An image process method is provided and includes following steps: First, a first image is provided. Then, a smoothing process is performed on the first image to generate a second image. Thereafter, a difference image is generated by comparing the first image and the second image and a dynamic contrast stretch process is performed on the second image to generate a third image. In addition, a displaying image is generated by adding the difference image and the third image.

Abstract: Samples may be taken to determine illumination gradients across subdivided areas of a pixel to determine which pixels are more likely to experience aliasing. More samples are then taken in the regions that are more likely to experience aliasing. The determination of those regions that are more likely to experience aliasing may be completed automatically.

Abstract: A system provides processes image data by obtaining a first image in a first data format such as a raster image. The system applies a tracing algorithm to the first image to produce a trace image of the first image. The trace image is maintained in a second data format such as a vector data format. The system displays, in an overlapping format, each of the first image in the first data format and the trace image in the second data format to allow the used to compare the differences between the two image formats. The system also provides a live trace feature that automatically applies changes to the first image in the first data format to the trace image.

Abstract: Virtual views of a complex scene are produced for a user to view. The virtual views are substantially free from aliasing even when using a relatively sparse set of images of the scene. In a described implementation, a scene is split into one or more coherent layers. The boundaries of the coherent layers are propagated across a plurality of frames corresponding to the scene. The splitting may be further refined (e.g., in accordance with user feedback) to present a virtual view of the scene.

Abstract: To better realize the great potential of amateur digital photography, the present invention introduces an integrated system for the acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication of digital images by amateur digital photography enthusiasts. The system of the present invention first acquires images from a number of different image sources. Images acquired in the same image importing session are marked as coming from the same conceptual film roll. Next, a user is empowered to organize and manipulate the acquired images. The images may be organized by tagging the images with informative keywords and grouping images together into conceptual photo albums. Furthermore, the images may be manipulated by rotating, cropping, and removing red-eye. Finally, the system of the present invention provides simple intuitive image publish systems.

Abstract: A video game apparatus functioning as a game image processing apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU converts a resolution of a game image according to a game image processing program. A GPU draws an original game image on a frame buffer according to an instruction by the CPU. This is stored in a main memory as an original texture, and the original texture enlarged into double is drawn on the frame buffer. Next, when two texels adjacent to each other in a lower right direction and in an upper right direction have a same color, a semi-transparent texel in this color is drawn. Namely, a jaggy interpolation processing is applied.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having: a first screen processing section for performing a screen processing to image data; and an outline processing section for determining whether to output or not to output a dot with respect to an outline pixel of the image data, based on an outputting condition of a screen dot for a peripheral pixel of the outline pixel composing an outline area of an image in the image data that has been subjected to the screen processing by the first screen processing section.

Abstract: A technique for performing an anti-aliasing operation by multiple graphics processing units includes utilizing a first graphics processing unit to generate a first subset of filtered data resulting from performing anti-aliasing processing and similarly utilize a second graphics processing unit to generate a second subset of filtered data. The first graphics processing unit then pulls a first portion of the second subset of filtered data from a first memory block of a temporary buffer and blends such pulled data with a first portion of the first subset of filtered data. Overlapping in time with the pulling and blending operation of the first graphics processing unit, the second graphics processing unit pulls a second portion of the first subset of filtered data from a second memory block of the temporary buffer and blends such pulled data with a second portion of the second set of filtered data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning bilinear texture samples to produce an anisotropically filtered texture mapped pixel may improve texture mapping performance and image quality. The bilinear texture samples are positioned along a major axis of anisotropy to approximate an elliptical footprint, ensuring that the bilinear texture samples span the entire axis of anisotropy without extending beyond the major axis of anisotropy. An additional bilinear texture sample or a pair of additional bilinear texture samples is positioned in the center of the axis of anisotropy dependent on the anisotropic ratio. The additional bilinear texture samples are weighed less than the other bilinear texture samples and all of the bilinear textures samples lie within the anisotropic footprint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing multisampling-based antialiasing in a system that includes first and second graphics processing unit (GPUs) that reduces the amount of data transferred between the GPUs and improves the efficiency with which such data is transferred. The first GPU renders a first version of a frame using a first multisampling pattern and the second GPU renders a second version of a frame in the second GPU using a second multisampling pattern. The second GPU identifies non-edge pixels in the second version of the frame. The pixels in the first version of the frame are then combined with only those pixels in the second version of the frame that have not been identified as non-edge pixels to generate a combined frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assigning color values to pixels based on object structure. For example, when rendering a writing system symbol on an electronic display, a non-color characteristic of the symbol can be measured and the measurement can be used to select a color value for a pixel associated with the symbol. Legibility of open and closed line-based graphical objects can be increased by inferring spatial depth and distance through application of a color assignment model.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are disclosed for performing anti-aliasing operations on lines using a graphics processing unit (GPU). Input comprising a plurality of vertices may be received at a GPU. The plurality of vertices may represent one or more line segments. One or more anti-aliased line segments may be generated based on the input. In generating the one or more anti-aliased line segments, the intensity of a first edge and a second edge of each line segment may be modified based on application of an anti-aliasing function. A maximum intensity of a central portion may be maintained for at least one of the line segments, wherein the central portion is between the two edges and is greater than one pixel in thickness.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products adapt and render a graphic effect associated with text rendered via an output device. A method involves receiving a character associated with a graphic effect and determining whether the graphic effect has not been fully rendered with a previously received character via the output device. Graphic effects that are fully rendered are rendered in full fidelity without degradation. In response to determining that the graphic effect has not been fully rendered with the previously received character, the method further involves degrading a display quality of the graphic effect and rendering the graphic effect with degradation and rendering the character to allow the character and the graphic effect to be displayed via the output device substantially in real time.

Abstract: An image capture device includes a processor configured to generate pseudo-random numbers. Optionally, these pseudo-random numbers may use a portion of an image as a seed for the random number generator. These random numbers are used in the post-processing of digital images to create a variety pseudo-random image effects such as; unique frame colors, line thicknesses, line and/or shape placements, image copies, filter strengths, shape choices and color blends. These effects are applied to a selected digital image creating a unique final image.

Abstract: The invention provides tools and techniques for clone brushing pixels in an image while accounting for inconsistencies in apparent depth and orientation within the image. The techniques do not require any depth information to be present in the image, and the data structure of the image is preserved. The techniques allow for color compensation between source and destination regions. A snapping technique is also provided to facilitate increased accuracy in selecting source and destination positions.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described in which rank-1 lattices are used in computerized image processing, in particular in the context of image synthesis. These include systems and techniques for selection of rank-1 lattices, rasterization on rank-1 lattices, anti-aliasing by rank-1 lattices, and adaptive refinement and filtering by rank-1 lattices.

Abstract: Example systems and methods of color allocation for an anti-aliased image involve reserving a number of palette entries in a palette of colors for a graphical user interface and dynamically determining a number of colors for anti-aliasing between first and second colors in the image. The determined anti-aliasing colors are allocated to the reserved palette entries.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a display list, for use in rendering a plurality of glyphs, is disclosed. The method creates a display list for storing representations of the glyphs and stores at least a first one of the glyphs in the display list as a bitmap representation depending on one or more predetermined criteria. The at least first one of the glyphs may alternatively be stored in the display list as a vector representation.

Abstract: A method and a device for generating a pixel value from a plurality of sample values being generated from a plurality of sample points. The method comprises generating a plurality of sample values; and weighting said plurality of sample values for determining said pixel value. Each sample value is generated from one of a plurality of candidate sample points within a sample region. The sample region is positioned at a corner of two intersecting borders of the pixel. The size of the sample region is smaller than the size of the pixel. The device is arranged to carry out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: Systems and methods for scan converting data into compressed representations of pixel data are described. In one aspect, shape geometry including shape and/or position attributes of one or more objects are directly scan converted into compressed scan converted data. The compressed scan converted data is stored into memory for subsequent application access and rendering.