Abstract: An image processor is provided for correcting brightness of saturated pixels of a captured image. The image processor can include a pixel saturation determiner that whether one or more pixels in an image sensor have been saturated by comparing pixel brightness levels of the pixels to a predetermined saturation threshold. Moreover, the image processor includes an image enhancer that generates a corrected image without artifacts due to the saturated pixel(s) by replacing the pixel brightness of the saturated pixel(s) with a pixel correction value that is based on a pixel brightness of one or more unsaturated pixel in the image sensor.

Abstract: Tone mapping is applied to pixels of a digital image. A luminance value of a pixel is determined based on whether one or more pixel intensity values of a pixel in a color space are within a pixel saturation range. A pixel gain is determined based on the determined luminance value of the pixel, and the determined pixel gain is applied to the pixel. The luminance value may also or instead be determined based on whether one or more of the pixel intensity values is within a pixel black-out range. A weight may be employed to determine the luminance value.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a method of adjusting a digital image. A low pass filtering is performed on a digital image to remove high frequency data to generate filtered image data. The digital image is divided into a plurality of regions, and a brightness level of a particular region of the digital image is identified using the filtered image data. A transformation curve is selected for the particular region based on the brightness level, and the transformation curve is applied to the particular region to generate adjusted image data for the particular region having adjusted brightness. The adjusted image data is stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A camera for enhanced color imaging in a low light environment including: one or more illuminators for illuminating a R, a G, and a B light at different time periods; an image sensor for capturing R G and B image frames; and a processor configured to generate an intermediate color frame from each of the R, G and B image frames; determine moving pixels in the each of the intermediate color frames; determine a true color for the moving pixels in each intermediate color frame; generate a true color frame for each intermediate color frame by substituting color of the moving pixels with respective true colors of the moving pixels, in intermediate color frame; calculate scene color metrics from the true color frame or intermediate color frame; and adaptively adjust illumination of one or more of the R, G, and B lights to enhance a next frame.

Abstract: Image sensors have finite ranges of illuminance that may be captured. When the sensors for particular pixels receive an amount of light exceeding these finite ranges, the pixel values clip to the maximum pixel value. Systems and methods for estimating pixel values that are clipped or near clipping are provided. In one example, a method for processing image data includes determining that a first channel of the image data is saturated or near saturation. The method further includes computing a highlight recovery value for the first channel based upon alternative channels in the image data that are not saturated or near saturation. The highlight recovery value is applied to the first channel.

Abstract: An image processing device that corrects an obtained image includes: an image acquisition unit that obtains the image; a region setting unit that sets a first region including a main object and a second region not including the main object on the image; an image characteristic amount calculation unit that calculates a first image characteristic amount, which is an occurrence state of a predetermined image characteristic amount, respectively in the first region and the second region; a comparison unit that compares the first image characteristic amounts of the first region and the second region; and an image characteristic adjustment unit that adjusts a second image characteristic amount of the obtained image on the basis of a comparison result obtained by the comparison unit.

Abstract: A color display has continuous areas of a single color covering a plurality of sub-pixel electrodes. Each sub-pixel of a given color has sub-pixels of the same given color disposed along at least two of its adjacent edges. Each area of a single color may cover a 2×2 array of sub-pixel electrodes. The colors used may be red/green/blue/white (RGBW), red/green/blue/yellow (RGBY), or orange/lime/purple/white.

Abstract: System and methods for gamut bounded saturation adaptive color enhancement are provided. Color enhancement incorporating gamut bounded saturation enhances colors of an pixel from a source color gamut such that the resulting color is within a target color gamut. This resulting color may, for example, take advantage of an expanded target color gamut of a display. Gamut bounded saturation may be implemented independently or in combination with RGB bounded saturation.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a program that performs a color balance operation. The program identifies an image that includes several pixels. Each pixel includes a luma component value and chroma component values. The program analyzes the luma component values of the pixels in the image to identify several luma ranges. The program determines, for each luma range in the several luma ranges, a set of transforms for modifying chroma component values of pixels in the image in order to remove a color cast from the image. The program applies the sets of transforms to the image to remove the color casts from the image.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for performing saturation adjustment of one or more pixels. In one embodiment, an input color value of a pixel is received. The input color value includes an input saturation component. An adjusted color value is extracted from a predetermined look-up table that maps the input color value to the adjusted color value, the adjusted color value having an adjusted saturation component that is different from the input saturation component. The adjusted color value is output.

Abstract: An image processing device of the present application detects a color drift of an input image, and includes a saturation reducing section and a color drift detecting section. The saturation reducing section reduces a saturation of the input image and generates a saturation reduction image. The color drift detecting section detects a color drift of the saturation reduction image.

Abstract: An image processing device that corrects an obtained image includes: an image acquisition unit that obtains the image; a region setting unit that sets a first region including a main object and a second region not including the main object on the image; an image characteristic amount calculation unit that calculates a first image characteristic amount respectively in the first region and the second region; a comparison unit that compares the first image characteristic amounts of the first region and the second region; an image processing method setting unit that sets an image processing method to be applied to the image, from a plurality of image processing methods, on the basis of a comparison result obtained by the comparison unit; and an image characteristic adjustment unit that adjusts a second image characteristic amount of the obtained image using the method set by the image processing method setting unit.

Abstract: A method suitable for processing a digital image is disclosed. The method comprises, for each picture element of the digital image, processing an achromatic intensity level of the picture element using a first adaptation procedure featuring a first effective saturation function of the achromatic intensity, to provide a first intermediate intensity level. The method further comprises processing the achromatic intensity level using a second adaptation procedure featuring a second effective saturation function of the achromatic intensity, to provide a second intermediate intensity level. The method further comprises combining the first and the second intermediate intensity levels to provide a new achromatic intensity level associated with the picture-element.

Abstract: Image sensors have finite ranges of illuminance that may be captured. When the sensors for particular pixels receive an amount of light exceeding these finite ranges, the pixel values clip to the maximum pixel value. Systems and methods for estimating pixel values that are clipped or near clipping are provided. In one example, a method for processing image data includes determining that a first channel of the image data is saturated or near saturation. The method further includes computing a highlight recovery value for the first channel based upon alternative channels in the image data that are not saturated or near saturation. The highlight recovery value is applied to the first channel.

Abstract: A video processing method and a device thereof are described. The method includes the steps as follows. An input video signal is received, in which a single period of the input video signal has a plurality of first input frames and a plurality of second input frames. The input video signal is processed, so as to generate an output video signal, in which a single period of the output video signal has a plurality of first output frames and a plurality of second output frames, and an amount of the first output frames is the same as an amount of the second output frames. A sum of the amount of the first output frames and the amount of second output frames is an integer multiple of a sum of an amount of the first input frames and an amount of the second input frames.

Abstract: A color conversion device generates color data in a second color gamut based on first converted color data and input color data, which are obtained from input color data in a first color gamut, and outputs the color data in the second color gamut. The color conversion device includes a first color mapping unit which generates the first converted color data by mapping the input color data into the second color gamut; a color mixing unit which generates color data by mixing the first converted color data and second converted color data at a ratio corresponding to the first color gamut and the second color gamut; and a color data output unit which outputs the color data.

Abstract: System and methods for gamut bounded saturation adaptive color enhancement are provided. Color enhancement incorporating gamut bounded saturation enhances colors of an pixel from a source color gamut such that the resulting color is within a target color gamut. This resulting color may, for example, take advantage of an expanded target color gamut of a display. Gamut bounded saturation may be implemented independently or in combination with RGB bounded saturation.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus provided with an imaging device, a setting unit and a gain control unit. The imaging device images an imaging subject. On the basis of a saturation charge amount of the imaging device, which changes in accordance with a pixel addition number according to a pixel addition function of the imaging device, the setting unit sets a gain of imaging signals in accordance with a specified pixel addition number. The gain control unit controls the gain of the imaging signals in accordance with the gain set by the setting unit.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a plurality of photodetectors for converting the light to which they are exposed to into signals for image generation, wherein the photodetectors use locally optimized saturation signal. The apparatus is, for example, an image sensor or an electronic communication device.

Abstract: Provided are a digital image signal processing method including determining a saturation condition by comparing a delta between a plurality of pieces of image data of an input image exhibiting different color components with a standard for white scene recognition, determining a bright condition by using a distribution of grey levels of the input image, and determining that the input image is a white scene when the input image satisfies the saturation condition and the bright condition, and a digital image signal apparatus for executing the method, and a medium having recorded thereon the method. Thus, a white scene is quickly and accurately determined. And settings of the digital image signal processing apparatus can be properly set for capturing the white scene.

Abstract: The intelligent saturation controller calculates the exact maximum saturation any valid YCbCr pixel can undergo before it becomes invalid in ROB space. The controller models the saturation operation in RGB color space and calculates the maximum saturation level at which the RGB values falls outside the valid range. The saturation operation is performed independently for every pixel of the incoming video frame and ensures that each output pixel is a valid. The controller finds the maximum saturation for each input pixel and checks whether it is less than the input saturation factor. If so, then this calculated maximum saturation value is applied. If not, the input saturation factor is applied. Accordingly, the output RGB pixels are valid and no clamping is necessary if no other video processing is done in YCbCr space. Increasing the saturation of the video signal results in a more vivid and more colorful picture.

Abstract: Methods for gamut mapping and boosting a color saturation of a color signal having multiple colors and a color value for each color. An example method includes mapping each color from a first to a second color space, adjusting each color in the mapped color signal including boosting a color saturation; determining a maximum color value of the color signal; and, in response to a determining that the maximum color value exceeds a maximum displayable color value, setting the color value of the color having the maximum color value to be equal to the maximum displayable color value and scaling color values of colors not having the maximum color value.

Abstract: In a transmissive-type liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel and a backlight, the liquid crystal panel has pixels each divided into four subpixels red (R), green (G), blue (B), and white (W). The backlight is a white backlight by which luminance of emitted light is controllable. A color-saturation reducing section carries out a process of reducing color saturation on a first RGB input signal, which is an original input signal, so that the first RGB input signal becomes a second RGB input signal. Thereafter, an output signal generating section obtains a transmissivity and a backlight value on the basis of the second RGB input signal.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes: an image processor which processes image data; a display unit which displays an image based on the image data processed by the image processor; and a controller which controls the image processor to adjust at least one of a hue saturation and R, G and B gains of the image according to a color effect mode selected by a user among a plurality of preset color effect modes.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an electronic shutter layer that is used to drain charge away from the photosensitive regions during an electronic shutter operation. A current sensing component and a selector component are electrically connected to a contact to the electronic shutter layer in the image sensor. The current sensing component senses a current level in the electronic shutter layer and changes a state of an alert signal when the current level equals or exceeds a threshold current level. The selector component receives the alert signal from the current sensing component and a shutter signal from an electronic shutter pulse driver component. Depending on the state of the alert signal, the selector component either transmits, or does not transmit, the shutter signal to the electronic shutter layer. An electronic shutter operation is performed when the electronic shutter layer receives the shutter signal.

Abstract: A color conversion method and apparatus for a multi-primary display (MPD) are provided with analyzing an input image to determine a transformation parameter; interpolating at least two look-up tables for color conversion according to the transformation parameter, in order to calculate a look-up table for the input image; and applying the calculated look-up table to the input image to perform the color conversion. Accordingly, it is possible to provide good color reproduction and efficiently use a color gamut of an MPD having color coordinates that are different from those of primaries of an input image.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting three-color image signals to four-color image signals including a white signal comprises a data processor which generates the four-color image signals from the three-color image signals, calculates distortion values associated with conversion to the four-color image signals, and calculates scaling factors from the distortion values, the scaling factors being used to scale image signals in generating the four-color image signals. A method for operating the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Method and device are disclosed for adjusting a preferred color which enables a user to set a preferred color conveniently and a liquid crystal display device with the same. The method and device for adjusting a preferred color includes displaying a menu selection image and setting a variety of optional information, making successive display of at least one selection image which shows a plurality of selection images having information on preferred colors different from one another to set information on the preferred colors in succession, and storing the information on the preferred colors set and generating an image having preferred colors adjusted according to the information on the preferred colors stored.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, includes: an image sensor having a light receiving surface with a plurality of pixels and a plurality-of-color separation filter, which receives light from a photographic subject which is incident via an optical system on the surface via the filter, outputs a pixel output of each pixel, and images an image of the subject; a pixel output judging section which judges if each pixel output reaches each predetermined saturation level or not; a pixel output compensation processor which compensates a pixel output of a specific color filter based on a pixel output of another color separation filter in the vicinity which is less than its predetermined saturation level; and a bit compression convertor.

Abstract: An image signal processing device for correcting color difference signals includes a first correcting unit configured to set a correction amount for input color difference signals to “0” and generating output color difference signals when a colorless area containing the original point of a color difference space in which the two color difference signals are set as two intersecting axes, a first boundary line through which the inside and outside of the colorless area are partitioned, a suppression area which is nearer to the original point than the first boundary line and defined by a color difference suppression width, and a second boundary line through which the interior of suppression area and the inside area of the suppression area are partitioned are set in the color difference space and the values of the color difference signals are at the outside of the colorless area.

Abstract: The intelligent saturation controller calculates the exact maximum saturation any valid YCbCr pixel can undergo before it becomes invalid in RGB space. The controller models the saturation operation in RGB color space and calculates the maximum saturation level at which the RGB values falls outside the valid range. The saturation operation is performed independently for every pixel of the incoming video frame and ensures that each output pixel is a valid. The controller finds the maximum saturation for each input pixel and checks whether it is less than the input saturation factor. If so, then this calculated maximum saturation value is applied. If not, the input saturation factor is applied. Accordingly, the output RGB pixels are valid, and no clamping is necessary if no other video processing is done in YCbCr space. Increasing the saturation of the video signal results in a more vivid and more colorful picture.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes a saturation detector for detecting and measuring an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of a light sensor, the intensity saturation condition of the pixel being at saturation upon receiving light with an intensity above a predetermined level, the saturation detector emitting a digital signal with a reserved bit combination indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and a processor receiving and processing the digital signal from the saturation detector and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for improving object trackability via parametric camera tuning. In one embodiment, a determination is made as to whether the camera settings loaded cause saturation of a video image and hue differences between objects and between the objects and a background of the video image. If the saturation and hue differences do not exceed the threshold, a search of camera settings is performed to increase saturation and hue differences between objects and between the objects and a background of the video image.

Abstract: Color saturation in chroma correction is reduced. Hence, a two-dimensional histogram is generated in association with the luminance and chroma levels of an image for one frame. An ease of saturation of the image is calculated from the two-dimensional histogram. A chroma gain is set according to the ease of saturation. Color-difference signals undergo chroma correction according to the chroma gain k.

Abstract: A solid-state pixel structure or pixel array includes integrated exposure control provided within the pixel structure and/or pixel array. Including exposure control within the pixel structure and/or array allows optimal exposure to be achieved in real time. Optimal exposure is achieved by measuring the response of pixel structures to received electromagnetic radiation, and using the response information, in conjunction with knowledge regarding the pixel structure capabilities and photometric thresholds, to determine when the pixel structure is operating optimally. Tight control of the exposure of the pixel structure to the electromagnetic radiation allows the pixel structure to operate optimally in order to provide an optimal captured image.

Abstract: The invention achieves a visual processing device that can execute precise contrast adjustment on image signals that have been input and that does not cause discrepancies in the output timing of the image signals that are output. The visual processing device is provided with a gain-type visual processing portion that outputs a first gain signal having predetermined gain characteristics with respect to the input image signal, and a correction portion that corrects the input image signal based on the first gain signal.

Abstract: Provided are a color temperature compensating imaging apparatus and an method, which are used to acquire good image quality under mixed light (MIX light) conditions. The apparatus includes a gain acquisition unit for acquiring gains of color signals to control a white balance of an image of a subject; an illumination unit including a light source of which illumination color temperature is controlled when the subject is illuminated; and an illumination control unit that calculates the illumination color temperature based on the acquired gains, and adjusts the illumination device color temperature.

Abstract: The intelligent saturation controller calculates the exact maximum saturation any valid YCbCr pixel can undergo before it becomes invalid in RGB space. The controller models the saturation operation in RGB color space and calculates the maximum saturation level at which the RGB values falls outside the valid range. The saturation operation is performed independently for every pixel of the incoming video frame and ensures that each output pixel is a valid. The controller finds the maximum saturation for each input pixel and checks whether it is less than the input saturation factor. If so, then this calculated maximum saturation value is applied. If not, the input saturation factor is applied. Accordingly, the output RGB pixels are valid and no clamping is necessary if no other video processing is done in YCbCr space. Increasing the saturation of the video signal results in a more vivid and more colorful picture.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an image on the basis of characteristics of a display system is provided. The image includes M horizontal lines. Each of the M horizontal lines respectively includes N pixels. Each pixel has an original gray level. A look-up table previously stores a plurality of conversion coefficients related to the characteristics of the display system. The method first calculates an ith loading according to the N original gray levels of the N pixels in the ith horizontal line. Based on the ith loading, an ith conversion coefficient corresponding to the ith loading is selected from the plurality of conversion coefficients in the look-up table. The method respectively multiplies the N original gray levels of the N pixels in the ith horizontal line by the ith conversion coefficient to generate N new gray levels for the N pixels in the ith horizontal line, whereby the image is adjusted.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for improving image quality in an image sensor, where a black level of a photographed image is calibrated and luminance of an image signal is expanded within the allowable range of luminance through knee correction for the image signal in which the black level is calibrated. Interpolation for restoring a dead pixel may be achieved before gamma correction for image signal.

Abstract: A color saturation control unit and method for increasing the color saturation of an image is presented. A scaled saturation enhancement factor calculation unit generates a scaled saturation enhancement factor using a base saturation enhancement factor. A multiplier generates a saturation enhanced U chrominance value and a saturation enhanced V chrominance for the current pixel by multiplying the scaled saturation enhancement factor multiplied with the current chrominance values. The ratio of the saturation enhanced chrominance values should be equal to the ratio of the current chrominance values. A lookup table contains tabled saturation enhancement factors that can be used as the scaled saturation enhancement factor when the base saturation enhancement factor would cause the saturation enhanced U chrominance value or the saturation enhanced V chrominance value to exceed a valid range of chrominance values.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of the present invention can perform appropriate edge enhancement processing on any image while preventing increases in noise and chromatic aberration in the process of image processing. The image processing apparatus obtains photographic information present at generation of the image, determines, based on the photographic information, an edge enhancement coefficient to be used in performing edge enhancement processing, and performs edge enhancement processing to the image using the determined coefficient. Further, an image processing method of the present invention makes it possible to perform appropriate edge enhancement processing on any image while preventing increases in noise and chromatic aberration in the process of image processing.

Abstract: A signal processing method comprises: applying white balance correction to R (red), G (green), and B (blue) color signals output from a solid-state image pickup element so as to form white-balance corrected R, G, and B color signals; comparing levels of the white-balance corrected R, G, and B color signals with each other; correcting the level of the white-balance corrected G signal to coincide with a lower one of the levels of the white-balance corrected R and B color signals in the case where both of the levels of the white-balance corrected R and B signals are higher than the level of the white-balance corrected G signal when the G color signal is saturated; and outputting the white-balance corrected R, G, and B color signals as image signals.

Abstract: High frequency components of a video signal are attenuated for avoiding aliasing when the video signal is corrected by a non-linear gamma correction circuit. Such high frequency components arise from the video signal harmonics, and also are generated in image contour processing of the video signal. The high frequency components are band limited, thereby linearizing the gamma correction circuit and preventing aliasing. Up-converting the sampling frequency increases a desired band limitation area and defers the generation of high frequency components that cause aliasing. The non-linear gamma correction function is divided into a plurality of sections which are replaced by respective straight-line segments each represented by a linear expression, and gamma correction is effected with a straight-line segment corresponding to the amplitude of the digital video signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for improving object trackability via parametric camera tuning. In one embodiment, a determination is made as to whether the camera settings loaded cause saturation of a video image and hue differences between objects and between the objects and a background of the video image. If the saturation and hue differences do not exceed the threshold, a search of camera settings is performed to increase saturation and hue differences between objects and between the objects and a background of the video image.

Abstract: A gamma correction method and system, which performs a gamma correction on an n-bit video signal to thus generate a gamma correction value. At first, a first primary index and a first sub-index are obtained by performing an index mapping on a value of the video signal. Next, a first gamma value is obtained by performing a table lookup on the first primary index and the first sub-index. Next, a second primary index and a second sub-index are obtained by performing the index mapping on the first gamma value. Next, multiple thresholds are obtained by performing the table lookup on the second primary index and the second sub-index. Finally, the value of the video signal and the multiple thresholds are compared to accordingly correct the first gamma value and generate the gamma correction value.

Abstract: A method for producing an extended color gamut luminance-chrominance digital image from a captured digital image includes determining an estimate of the colors of the captured digital image of an original scene and further processing to produce an extended range output RGB image value including values outside the range that can be displayed on the output image display device, and producing an extended color gamut luminance-chrominance digital image by transforming the extended range output RGB image values to a luminance-chrominance representation.

Abstract: For each paper type, a plurality of two-dimensional excitation characteristics tables Ti are provided in one to one correspondence with a plurality of colors i. The excitation characteristics table Ti for each color i contains a plurality of sets of excitation-reflectance data Bi (?0, ?) in a two-dimensional matrix form, for a plurality of combinations of incident light wavelengths ? and reflected light wavelengths ?0. The excitation-reflectance data Bi (?0, ?) indicates the ratio of the amount of the reflected light wavelength ?0 generated in response to incidence of the incident light wavelength ?, with respect to the amount of the incident light wavelength ?. Using the two-dimensional excitation characteristics table Ti corresponding to the user's selected paper type and using the spectral radiation characteristics S(?) of the user's selected light source type, Equations (9)-(11) are calculated to create an output profile, and color conversion is performed by using the output profile.

Abstract: A method for the transformation of image signals that have been obtained by color filtering and have been logarithmically compressed is proposed. The color saturation of the recorded images is increased thereby. According to one aspect of the invention, the transformed image signals are determined as a function of the logarithmically compressed image signals and the logarithmically compressed brightness signals for a spectral color.

Abstract: A method for adjusting image brightness is conducted by a system for adjusting image brightness. Digital image data acquired by a data acquisition unit are sent to a lightness computing unit and a color saturation computing unit that compute the lightness L and the color saturation C for every pixel and sends the computed values to a mean value computing unit. The mean value computing unit weights the lightness L by the color saturation C and computes weighted mean values Lm of the lightnesses L. A converter 5 converts the R, G, B color signal components constituting the digital image data S to make the weighted mean values Lm desired values.