Weights Vary Across Image (e.g., Transition From Foreground To Background) Patents (Class 345/640)
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Patent number: 7581195Abstract: A device for managing image and audio files displays thumbnails, which are representative of the files, on a screen in different arrangements, depending on the selected layout and order. When the user enters input to indicates that he or she wishes to browse through the thumbnails, the thumbnails move across the screen in sequence, following a path through a focus outline in the center of the screen. The path followed by the thumbnails depends on the selected layout.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Eduardo Agusto Sciammarella, Junichi Rekimoto, Haruo Oba, Makoto Imamura, Hideyuki Agata, Masakazu Hayashi, Masato Kuninori
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Patent number: 7567301Abstract: According to the invention, performing torn curb correction processing by referring to plural correction tables 113a to 113c for plural display areas A, B, C, D, E, and P makes it possible to obtain an output image meeting user's requirements. Particularly, since tone curve correction processing can be performed by referring to different correction tables selected from the correction tables 113a to 113c for a main screen to be displayed in the display areas A, B, C, D, and E and for a subscreen to be displayed in a sub-display area P, discomfort to a viewer attributable to a difference in brightness between the main screen and the subscreen can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2004Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Norihiro Higashi
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Patent number: 7532770Abstract: Two or more images are combined by designating one image as a threshold image based on information within the images themselves. Pixels in this threshold image are then segregating into foreground and background pixels according to some criteria. An alpha value is set to zero for background pixels indicating that these pixels in the threshold image will make no contribution in the combined image. The foreground pixels of the threshold image are set to some value greater than zero. Alpha values in the non-threshold image(s) are set such that the total value of alphas for pixels in the images to be combined totals one (indicating 100% total contribution).Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Marcus Pfister
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Patent number: 7532222Abstract: An anti-aliasing mechanism. In one aspect, one or more opacities are determined to apply to layers used to render an image. An order in which to render the layers is also determined. This order may correspond to an order in which points within the image are sampled. The first layer to render is set to an opacity that applies to it and rendered. The second layer to render is set at an opacity that applies to it and rendered on top of the first layer. In rendering the second layer, the opacities of the first and second layers are blended.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventor: Alexander Stevenson
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Patent number: 7509570Abstract: The object of the invention is to easily and simply output a document including an image in a desired layout. A script generation device 10 generates a script used to control a layout of a printer 20, and transfers the generated script to the printer 20. The script includes multiple drawing control commands that individually adjust output positions with regard to a plurality of images to be output in a preset output range. The sequence of arrangement of the multiple drawing control commands specifies the overlapping state of the plurality of images. The script of this construction enables the user to readily define and change the overlapping state and thereby attain a desired layout.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hideyuki Narusawa
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Patent number: 7492375Abstract: Techniques and tools for displaying/viewing HDR images are described. In one aspect, a background image constructed from HDR image information is displayed along with portions of the HDR image corresponding to one or more regions of interest. The portions have at least one display parameter (e.g., a tone mapping parameter) that differs from a corresponding display parameter for the background image. Regions of interest and display parameters can be determined by a user (e.g., via a GUI). In another aspect, an intermediate image is determined based on image data corresponding to one or more regions of interest of the HDR image. The intermediate image has a narrower dynamic range than the HDR image. The intermediate image or a derived image is then displayed. The techniques and tools can be used to compare, for example, different tone mappings, compression methods, or color spaces in the background and regions of interest.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Kentaro Toyama, Matthew Uyttendaele, William M. Crow
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Patent number: 7460130Abstract: Image acquisition refers to the taking of digital images of multiple views of the object of interest. In the processing step, the constituent images collected in the image acquisition step are selected and further processed to form a multimedia sequence which allows for the interactive view of the object. Furthermore, during the Processing phase, the entire multimedia sequence is compressed and digitally signed to authorize it viewing. In the Storage and Caching Step, the resulting multimedia sequence is sent to a storage servers. In the Transmission and viewing step, a Viewer (individual) may request a particular multi-media sequence, for example, by selecting a particular hyperlink within a browser, which initiates the downloading, checking of authorization to view, decompression and interactive rendering of the multi-media sequence on the end-users terminal, which could be any one of a variety of devices, including a desktop PC, or a hand-held device.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2001Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Advantage 3D LLCInventor: Marcos Salganicoff
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Patent number: 7439980Abstract: In image processing adapted to a display apparatus using a plurality of line buffers for storing data regarding dots aligned on scanning lines on the screen, when a line having a prescribed width and a prescribed length is drawn on the screen, a line drawing range is calculated with reference to start-point coordinates and end-point coordinates as well as the width of line, thus selecting dots on the screen with reference to coordinates of intersections between the scanning lines and the boundaries of the line drawing range, wherein data regarding the selected dots are written into at least one of the line buffers. In line terminating processing, a virtual circle whose diameter matches the width of the line is imaginarily drawn at one end of the line, so that data regarding dots belonging to the virtual circle are written into at least one of the line buffers.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Mitsuhiro Honme
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Publication number: 20080246777Abstract: A first digital image is acquired of a framed area while illuminating the background and foreground object under a first lighting condition. A second digital image is then acquired of the same framed area while illuminating the background and foreground object under a second lighting condition. Preferably, the first lighting condition illuminates the background without illuminating the foreground object so that a silhouette of the foreground object is acquired in the first image. The second lighting condition illuminates the foreground object (e.g., with frontal lights). Due to the difference in the illumination between the background and silhouette in the first image, an alpha mask can be created from the first acquired image. Using the mask, the background from the second image can be removed and replaced by virtually any other desired background image.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Richard Lee Swanson, Earl John Adolphi, Michael John Surma, John Robert Reinert Nash
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Patent number: 7420569Abstract: An adaptive pixel-based blending method and system of a video processing system including steps of acquiring a first pixel value in accordance with a first index value, acquiring a first blending factor in accordance with the parts of the first pixel value, calculating a second blending factor in accordance with the first blending factor, and generating a overlapped and blended image in accordance with the blending factors and the pixel values of the source images. Thus, multiple source images can be overlapped and blended in a flexible way.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.Inventors: An-Te Chiu, Roger Lin, Denzel Wang
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Patent number: 7362339Abstract: Image processing is performed on a plurality of layers including at least one line display layer or at least one sprite display layer, from which a plurality of attribute data regarding lines or sprites are sequentially read out so as to produce a plurality of display data, which are then written over each other in a buffer memory, so that the corresponding images are displayed on the screen of a display. With respect to overlapped regions at which plural lines or sprites overlap each other, plural display data are written over each other in the buffer memory in accordance with a first-in-first-out principle. In line processing, image data regarding different lines are subjected to alpha blending and are then written into the buffer memory. In sprite processing, image data regarding different sprites are subjected to rendering and alpha blending and are then written into the buffer memory.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Mitsuhiro Honme
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Publication number: 20080084429Abstract: A method for conveying and displaying a high-performance image in a standard web browser, via a pair of image data files in traditional formats which do not support such higher-performance individually, each downloaded by a web server in traditional manner and then re-combined via a software algorithm executed at the browser. Said high-performance features may include rendering the appearance of background transparency in and around opaque figures within the normal rectangular area of an image; variable semi-transparency; cropping (or retro-) transparency, and auto-shadowing of overlaid images. Additionally, exploiting the infrastructure of the invention thus described, further means by which a single image, embedded in a group of images co-located within a shared display region, can be easily designated by a simple pointing device such as a computer mouse, even though said single image may appear substantially obscured by other irregularly-shaped images in the region.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Inventor: Sherman Locke Wissinger
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Patent number: 7340106Abstract: The present invention allows the amount of movement indicating the movement of an object within an exposure period to be obtained. An estimated-mixture-ratio processor 401 calculates an estimated mixture ratio for each pixel and an estimated motion vector by a calculation corresponding to a model of a covered background area, and sends the calculated estimated mixture ratio and the calculated estimated motion vector to a mixture-ratio determining portion 403. An estimated-mixture-ratio processor 402 calculates an estimated mixture ratio for each pixel and an estimated motion vector by a calculation corresponding to a model of an uncovered background area, and sends the calculated estimated mixture ratio and the calculated estimated motion vector to the mixture-ratio determining portion 403.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Naoki Fujiwara, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
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Patent number: 7330600Abstract: A character area is extracted from an original image, which is a digital image, according to a feature value calculated with respect to the original image. Pixels belonging to the extracted character area are classified into a first class and a second class according to colors, in each of blocks divided from the original image. A black character color and a ground color on the original image are estimated according to the classification of the pixels belonging to the extracted character area into the first and second classes. A tone correction is performed to the original image according to the estimated black character color and the estimated ground color so as to adjust a contrast of the black character and the ground in an output image.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hirobumi Nishida
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Patent number: 7263242Abstract: A repetitive surface detector includes an image capture device capturing an image. An autocorrelator receives the image and generates a signal indicative of a repetitive background of the image. A controller determines a maximum and minimum value in the auto-correlated signal. An adder determines the signed difference between the maximum and minimum value. A comparator compares the signed difference with a threshold and generates an output that indicates when the image includes a repetitive background.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Ramakrishna Kakarala, Michael John Brosnan
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Patent number: 7245308Abstract: A display control device is provided which includes characteristic value-calculating unit for calculating a characteristic value based on an input image signal, a conversion characteristic-calculating unit for determining a conversion characteristic from the characteristic value, and a signal-converting unit for converting the input image signals in accordance with the determined conversion characteristic. The conversion characteristic has a low level region segment, which is close to the origin of axes respectively representing the input image signal and an output image signal of the display control device, a high level region segment, which is close to a full scale point, and a middle level region segment, which is positioned between the low level region and high level region, and the slope in the middle level region is set so as to be larger than both of the slopes of the low level region and the high level region.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinya Kiuchi, Jun Ikeda, Shuichi Ojima, Tsuyoshi Hirashima, Ryouta Hata
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Patent number: 7236645Abstract: An ? value in a desired shape in a desired position can be rewritten to a desired value in a desired range. ? value rewriting units for rewriting an ? value showing an opaqueness degree of an image are provided. When the desired position comes, an area setting signal is outputted in a desired shape from an area setting signal generating unit. While the area setting signal is being outputted, in the ? value rewriting unit, an ? value of inputted image data is rewritten to a desired value. The rewriting of the ? value can be dynamically realized independent of software. By preparing a quadrangular area calculating unit and a circular area calculating unit as an area setting signal generating unit, a quadrangular area and a circular area can be set by hardware.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Hayashi, Satoshi Yamada, Ken Hayakawa
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Patent number: 7221366Abstract: A system and process for rendering and displaying an interactive viewpoint video is presented in which a user can watch a dynamic scene while manipulating (freezing, slowing down, or reversing) time and changing the viewpoint at will. The ability to interactively control viewpoint while watching a video is an exciting new application for image-based rendering. Because any intermediate view can be synthesized at any time, with the potential for space-time manipulation, this type of video has been dubbed interactive viewpoint video.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Matthew Uyttendaele, Simon Winder, Charles Zitnick, III, Richard Szeliski, Sing Bing Kang
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Patent number: 7221778Abstract: The present invention allows detection of an exposure time of an image that has already been captured. A motion detector 102 detects an amount of inter-frame movement of a foreground object in a designated frame based on the designated frame and a frame preceding or subsequent to the designated frame. A mixture-ratio calculator 104 detects a mixture ratio indicating the ratio of mixture of a foreground component and a background component in a mixed area of the designated frame. In accordance with the mixture ratio, the mixture-ratio calculator 104 detects the amount of movement of the foreground object within an exposure time in which pixel data is obtained. A shutter-time calculator 106 detects a ratio of a time interval between frames to the exposure time based on the amount of inter-frame movement and the amount of movement within the exposure time of the foreground object. The present invention is applicable to an image processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Naoki Fujiwara, Junichi Ishibashi, Takashi Sawao, Takahiro Nagano, Toru Miyake, Seiji Wada
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Patent number: 7215346Abstract: A method of controlling a user interface to display a first graphical element and a second graphical element where the second graphical element, overlays at least a portion of a first graphical element, comprising: determining first color(s) corresponding to the color(s) of the first graphical element; determining second color(s) corresponding to the color(s) of the second graphical element; and determining, using the first color(s) and second color(s), whether or not to provide an interface region visually separating the second graphical element from the first graphical element.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventor: Andreas Bork
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Patent number: 7199795Abstract: A method and apparatus for rendering a plurality of objects. The method includes receiving ray differential information associated with a ray, determining a first ray differential based on at least information associated with the ray and a first surface patch, processing information associated with the first ray differential and the first surface patch, determining a first resolution based on at least information associated with the first ray differential and the first surface patch, and selecting a second resolution from the plurality of predetermined resolutions. Additionally, the method includes obtaining a first geometry representation associated with the second resolution.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2005Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: PixarInventors: Per H. Christensen, Julian Fong, David M. Laur, Dana Batali
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Patent number: 7184063Abstract: Techniques are described for adaptive changing a displayed foreground color when a conflict between the displayed foreground color and an extracted background color is detected. Upon detection of such a conflict, a new foreground color is selected in accordance with a predetermined legibility criterion. That is, a color pool candidate may be considered to be a viable foreground color if a legibility value for the candidate color in relation to the extracted background color exceeds a predetermined legibility threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Heung-Yeung Shum, Ying-Qing Xu, Qi Ren
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Patent number: 7184047Abstract: Apparatus for generating computer models of individuals is provided comprising a booth (1) that is connected to a server (2) via the Internet (3). Image data of an individual is captured using the booth (1) and a computer model corresponding to the individual is then generated by comparing the captured image data relative to a stored generic model. Data representative of a generated model is then transmitted to the server (2) where it is stored. Stored data can then be retrieved via the Internet using a personal computer (4) having application software stored therein. The application software on the personal computer (4) can then utilise the data to create graphic representations of an individual in any one of a number of poses.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2000Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: Stephen James Crampton
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Patent number: 7158153Abstract: A method for adjusting the contrast of a background region in a display device is provided. A video signal for a background region is received in a background region mode. The gain of the video signal is adjusted responsive to a background region control signal thereby adjusting the contrast of the background region. The result is a high quality display device.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae-Sung Kang, Im-Soo Kang, Jae-Bong Choi, Ji-Hyun Lee
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Patent number: 7151546Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer programs, for processing transparency attributes of digital graphics objects. The techniques result in the color compositing of an arbitrary structure of artwork elements defining the appearance of a page to produce a result color at any position on the page that is continuous with respect to all inputs.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2000Date of Patent: December 19, 2006Assignee: Adobe Systems IncorporatedInventor: Pierre Louveaux
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Patent number: 7142209Abstract: A system and process for rendering and displaying an interactive viewpoint video is presented in which a user can watch a dynamic scene while manipulating (freezing, slowing down, or reversing) time and changing the viewpoint at will. The ability to interactively control viewpoint while watching a video is an exciting new application for image-based rendering. Because any intermediate view can be synthesized at any time, with the potential for space-time manipulation, this type of video has been dubbed interactive viewpoint video.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: November 28, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Matthew Uyttendaele, Simon Winder, Charles Zitnick, III, Richard Szeliski, Sing Bing Kang
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Patent number: 7106348Abstract: The present method represents a three-dimensional shape model by polygons according to a plurality of object images information picked up by rotating a real object for every arbitrary angle to assign texture information on each polygon from object image information having the largest projection area of the relevant polygon. In order to improve the color continuity between adjacent polygons, the object image information having correspondence between a polygon of interest and an adjacent polygon thereof is selected so as to be the object image information approximating the shooting position and the shooting direction. An alternative method divides an object image into a plurality of regions, obtains difference between an object image and a background image in region level, outputs a mean value of the absolute value of difference in the region level, and detects the region having the mean value of absolute values of difference equal to or greater than a threshold value as the object portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2001Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yukinori Matsumoto, Hajime Terasaki, Kazuhide Sugimoto, Tsutomu Arakawa
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Patent number: 7095450Abstract: Apparatus for interactively generating a display signal. The apparatus comprises: a receiver (2) for receiving a broadcast signal (15), the broadcast signal comprising a plurality of datastreams each including image data defining a background object (22–270), and control parameters (28–39); a foreground computer generated imagery (CGI) device (3) for generating a foreground computer generated object (CGO); a mixer (4) for combining the foreground CGO with background object image data to generate the display signal; and interaction means (3) for receiving the control parameters from the receiver, monitoring the position of the foreground CGO, and adapting the display signal with reference to the monitored position of the foreground CGO and the received control parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Two Way Media LimitedInventors: Steven Holmes, Simon Anthony Vivian Cornwell, Richard Andrew Kydd, David J Wright
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Patent number: 7095425Abstract: A superposed colors graphic providing a true, continuous color fade transition between two different colors achieved by applying first and second color graphics onto respectively different side surfaces of at least one transparent substrate, each color graphic having a respective color fade. The first and second color graphics are mutually aligned such that the color fade of each of the color graphics are mutually coextensive and superposed so as to thereby provide a continuous fade between the colors. The first and second color graphics may be applied to the respective substrate side surfaces by any suitable method, such as for example by silk screening, by lithography or by decorative film applique.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2003Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Christopher S. Hilts, James Thomas Embach
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Patent number: 7061499Abstract: An image drawing apparatus includes a first data reading unit which stores a source image data into a first image data buffer. A second data reading unit reads a destination image data from a destination area of a memory device and stores the destination image data into a second image data buffer. A third data reading unit reads a transmission coefficient data from the memory device and stores the transmission coefficient data into a transmission coefficient data buffer. A transmission drawing processing control unit executes a transmission drawing processing for the source image data and the destination image data by using the transmission coefficient data to generate a processed image data. The transmission coefficient data has a block size that is the same as a block size of the source image data, and contains transmission coefficients that are varied with respect to every pixel of the source image data.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Atsushi Yamada, Hidefumi Nishi
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Patent number: 7034818Abstract: A method converts range data of an object to a model of the object by first generating an adaptively sampled distance field from the range data. The adaptively sampled distance field is then edited to produce the model. The range data can include a plurality of range images that are converted to range meshes in a single coordinate system, and an adaptively sampled distance field is generated for each of the range meshes.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Ronald N. Perry, Sarah F. Frisken
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Patent number: 7034850Abstract: A line image which comprises one line parallel to the juxtaposing direction of light-emitting elements is extracted from a three-time image, and a work region is determined, in which, in the juxtaposing direction, an M sub-pixel is added to the front side of the line image and an N sub-pixel is added to the rear side thereof. A background image of a region corresponding to the work region is read out from the frame memory. The read out background image whose precision is made the same as that of the three-time image in a pseudo state, and the line image are blended to obtain a blend image. Image data resulting from the blend image are written in a region corresponding to the work region of the frame memory. The above process is repeated for all lines of the three-time image.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2002Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tadanori Tezuka, Hiroki Taoka, Bunpei Toji, Hiroyuki Yoshida
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Patent number: 7030885Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a color-texture distance and a method and apparatus for sectioning an image into a plurality of regions using the measured color-texture distance are provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang-kyun Kim, Seong-deok Lee, Chang-yeong Kim, Pavel A. Chochia, Dmitry V. Sushko, Boris M. Miller
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Patent number: 6999095Abstract: A system and process for reconstructing optimal texture maps from multiple views of a scene is described. In essence, this reconstruction is based on the optimal synthesis of textures from multiple sources. This is generally accomplished using basic image processing theory to derive the correct weights for blending the multiple views. Namely, the steps of reconstructing, warping, prefiltering, and resampling are followed in order to warp reference textures to a desired location, and to compute spatially-variant weights for optimal blending. These weights take into consideration the anisotropy in the texture projection and changes in sampling frequency due to foreshortening. The weights are combined and the computation of the optimal texture is treated as a restoration problem, which involves solving a linear system of equations.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Lifeng Wang, Sing Bing Kang, Richard Szeliski, Heung-Yeung Shum, Baining Guo
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Patent number: 6943792Abstract: A method of generating three-dimensional data includes the steps of inputting multiple images having a first resolution from different viewpoints of an object; storing the input multiple images; performing a resolution conversion of each of the input multiple images to generate converted images having a second resolution that is different than the first resolution; storing the converted images; detecting characteristic areas of the object from at least one of the input multiple images; and constructing three-dimensional data by using data from the input images for the characteristic areas of the object and by using data from the converted images for remaining areas of the object. A device for performing the method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kuniteru Sakakibara
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Patent number: 6917371Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide special effects which will make a video game more realistic. When a virtual light source exists in a three-dimensional virtual space, if a light from the light source extends toward a camera, a flare is generated on a screen because of incidence of the ray of light into a camera lens, thereby forming a dazzling picture in accordance with the state of backlight.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1999Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega EnterprisesInventors: Toshihiro Nagoshi, Takuji Masuda, Koki Koiwa, Takayuki Kazama, Ryo Ikawa
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Patent number: 6856323Abstract: A method for creating a rendered scene that is composed of two or more RGB image layers that can be composited at a later time. The resulting composition will appear the same as if it were rendered all at the same time. The elements of a foreground image layer scene are rendered separately over a black background and a white background. The RGB components for each pixel of the foreground image layer scene rendered over the black background are combined with the RGB components for each corresponding pixel of the foreground image layer scene rendered over the white background to form a rendered foreground layer. The foreground layer may be combined with a background image layer in a conventional manner, possibly with additional material added between the background and foreground image layers.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: Weather Central, Inc.Inventor: John S. Moore
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Patent number: 6833845Abstract: An image object content generation device has a key generation unit that generates a key that is a reference for distinguishing an object pixel from a background pixel per pixel of an inputted image signal, a frame size changing unit that changes a frame size of the image signal, and a low frequency component passing unit that removes high frequency components of the image signal which was processed in the frame size changing unit. The image object generation device also has a pixel compensation unit that performs a padding processing to the image signal which was processed in the low frequency component passing unit by using Low Pass Extrapolation padding algorithm, and a pixel selecting unit that selects one of the Image signal which was processed in the low frequency component passing unit and the image signal which was processed in the pixel compensation unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Daisaku Kitagawa, Yoshiyuki Mochizuki, Tadashi Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6774873Abstract: A method for implementing error diffusion on a plasma display panel (PDP) comprises the steps of performing an anti compensation process on a received video signal of the PDP; diffusing an error generated by a first one of a plurality of pixels to a plurality of adjacent pixels; absorbing errors generated by the plurality of adjacent pixels by the first pixel; and multiplying each of a plurality of numeric weightings and the error of each of the adjacent pixels to obtain an error function of the first pixel. This is effected in a cost effective while simple addition circuit for solving the problem of low level contouring in PDP due to insufficient gray scale of video signal in low gray scale.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.Inventors: Liang-Kuei Hsu, Yao-Hung Lai, Shiuh-Bin Kao, Kuang-Lang Chen
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Patent number: 6771391Abstract: A synthesized image is formed by synthesizing a main image and a background mage represented by respective image data items each having n-valued gradation values each having any one of n possible values(n is an integer which is equal to or larger than 3) and defining a density of pixels. A plurality of different data items representative of candidates for the background image are stored as background image data candidates. An arbitrary one of the background image data candidates is set to a background image data item representative of the background image. There is formed a main image data item forming a main image data item representative of the main image, the main image data item having n-valued main image gradation values commonly applied to all valid pixels of the main image, as values of the n-value gradation values.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2000Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation, King Jim Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiharu Konishi, Hitoshi Hayama, Kenichi Tanabe, Hiroshi Ono
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Patent number: 6741266Abstract: A graphic user interface display comprises a display-indication determining unit determining whether display indication is inputted, a position detecting unit detecting a position of a pointer on the picture, and a processing unit adjusting a transparency of the graphic user interface based on the position detected by the position detecting unit so as to display the graphic user interface.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Toru Kamiwada, Takushi Fujita
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Patent number: 6646687Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for automatically defocusing a background scene as the background scene is being composited with a foreground subject during the photography of the subject, where the background scene becomes increasingly defocused as the subject appears to approach the camera. A source of background image signals is connected to a background input of a compositing device capable of averaging a selected group of background pixels. A source of foreground image signals is connected to a foreground input of the compositing device. A matte signal generated by the compositing device is accessed and the matte signal is used to determine the ratio of foreground subject area to image frame area. The area ratio is then used to select, for each pixel in said background image, a number of adjacent pixels to be averaged to form an average pixel level. The signal levels at each pixel in the background scene are replaced with the average pixel level.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Ultimatte CorporationInventor: Paul Vlahos
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Patent number: 6594405Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides for the straightforward completion of preprinted forms with a word processor, or with another computer program suitable for generating text, is disclosed. The method and apparatus provide for the display of a scaled image of the form so that a user can accurately position text or other data for printing in the fields of the form. An image of the preprinted form is provided to a document having a background and a foreground. The image is displayed in the background Data is entered into the foreground. The data in the foreground is printed onto the preprinted form. The form can be scanned to create the image. The form is then provided to a printer. The image is provided to a word processing document as the background. The data is entered into the foreground with the word processor.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1998Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Gateway, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. Flannery
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Patent number: 6540365Abstract: A projection-type display apparatus includes an on-screen-display-menu generating section for generating image data corresponding to an on-screen-display menu; an image synthesizing section for synthesizing image data for projection sent from an image source and the image data corresponding to the on-screen-display menu; and an image-distortion compensation section for applying image-distortion compensation processing used to reduce the distortion of the projected image obtained when an image is projected in an inclined direction against a screen, to the image data synthesized by the image synthesizing means.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Seiko EpsonInventors: Shuichi Fujiwara, Shoichi Akaiwa
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Patent number: 6525741Abstract: A method of combining a foreground image and a background image includes scaling up a pixel of interest, which is positioned along an edge between a subject and a key colored backing, into a plurality of edge subpixels. The pixel of interest is included in a digital antialiased foreground image. A corresponding pixel of a digital background scene is also scaled up. The corresponding pixel is associated with the pixel of interest and is scaled up into a plurality of background subpixels. For each of the edge subpixels, if a color of the edge subpixel matches the key colored backing, a respective new color of the edge subpixel is determined as a function of one of the background subpixels, which is associated with the edge subpixel. Also, the new color is stored to the edge subpixel. After all the subpixels have been evaluated, the edge subpixels are scaled down to a new pixel of interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: R. Victor Klassen, Steven J. Harrington
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Patent number: 6526182Abstract: An image merging and displaying apparatus for forming an image to be displayed on a display. A document editing device edits document image by generating document image data. A document data obtaining device obtains the document image data from the document editing device. A sheet image data generating device generates sheet image data that constitutes a sheet image having a size in accordance with the document image. An image data merging/reducing device first merges the document image data with the sheet image data, and second reduces an image constituted by the thus merged image data to form an image to be displayed on the display.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1998Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Toshihiro Morita
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Patent number: 6342900Abstract: An information processing apparatus and method are provided to determine whether to display line drawings according to the size and number of pixels of the display screen. The screen may be divided into nine areas and the images are displayed in each area. When line-drawing information related to the displayed images exists, a determination is made as to whether to display those line drawings superimposed on the images based on the size of the divided areas and the number of pixels therein. When it is anticipated that it is not possible to discriminate the line drawings when displayed, display of the line drawings is not performed and marks (M) indicating that the line-drawing information exists are instead displayed.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1997Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventors: Satoshi Ejima, Akihiko Hamamura
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Publication number: 20020003545Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a frame specifying processor which specifies, from within a dynamic image, a frame having a background which is to be used, a background region specifying section which specifies a background region from an image of the specified frame, a background generator which generates an entire background from the specified background region and outputs a background data, and a non-background region setting section which creates a non-background region data in which a non-background region flag is set within a region where no background exists in the entire background which is generated. The background data and the non-background region data form a background object image.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Inventor: Yasufumi Nakamura