Abstract: An object-based system and method of directing visual attention by a subliminal cue is disclosed. An object detector detects an object in an input image, thereby resulting in a cued object served as an object-based subliminal cue. An enhancement unit enhances saliency of the cued object in the input image by respectively and differently adjusting image characteristic of the cued object and an area other than the cued object, thereby generating a cue image. A mixer selects between the cue image and the input image, thereby resulting in a sequence of output images composed of the input images and the cue images, each of which is interposed between the adjacent input images.

Abstract: There is provided a video display device including a content control unit for displaying a video content on a display screen; a user specifying unit for specifying a user viewing a video content displayed on the display screen; and an image quality adjustment unit for adjusting the image quality of the display screen according to the user specified by the user specifying unit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus of interaction with and control of a video capture device are described. In the described embodiments, video are presented at a display, the display having contact or proximity sensing capabilities. A gesture can be sensed at or near the display in accordance with the video presented on the display, the gesture being associated with a first video processing operation. The video are modified in accordance with the first video processing operation in real time.

Abstract: In an image encryption apparatus, an input processor inputs data of an input image. An encryptor encrypts a part or whole of the data of the input image. A marker generator generates data of a marker indicating an encrypted area. An image saver saves data of a marker-covered image covered with the marker. A marker sticker sticks the marker. An output processor outputs an encrypted image. In an image decryption apparatus, an input processor inputs data of an input image. A marker detector detects a marker and identifies an encrypted area. A decryptor decrypts data in the encrypted area. An image restorer restores data in an area covered with the marker by sticking data of a marker-covered image. An output processor outputs data of a decrypted image.

Abstract: There is provided a development processing device that develops undeveloped image data. The development processing device includes a change screen displaying unit displays a first number line corresponding to a first initial parameter, a second number line corresponding to a second initial parameter, a reference line that intersects the first number line in a position corresponding to the first initial parameter and intersects the second number line in a position corresponding to the second initial parameter, a first marker that represents a position corresponding to the first user parameter on the first number line, and a second marker that represents a position corresponding to the second user parameter on the second number line on the parameter changing screen, and the development processing unit performs the development process based on at least the first user parameter and the second user parameter.

Abstract: A display device includes a scene conversion detecting module to detect whether a scene is converted in an input image, and a brightness compensating module to determine an image category of the input image when a scene conversion is generated in the input image, and compensating for the brightness of the input image by calculating a weighted mean value of a tone increase value corresponding to the determined image category and a tone increase value corresponding to an image category of a previous image.

Abstract: A television receiver, which is an image display device of the present invention, includes an EPG/OSD/reservation processing section (24) including a CLUT application section (1) and a CLUT update section (2). The CLUT application section (1) causes an OSD area to be divided into a plurality of division areas, and CLUTs are applied to the respective plurality of division areas. The CLUT update section (2) causes a CLUT, which has been applied, to be changed to another CLUT so as to realize palette animation in one of the division areas. This makes it possible to provide an image display device and a method for displaying an on-screen display image, both of which enable an OSD expression with high resolution and high memory efficiency, in which OSD expression palette animation can be realized at a high speed regardless of the number of colors used in original image data of the OSD.

Abstract: Block noises at block boundaries are removed, but when a contour line in the original image matches a block boundary, the degree of block noise removal is adjusted and image quality is improved. An adaptive filter has a step of calculating the weight of pixels near the block boundary by a high-pass filter, and a step of determining an adjusted value for the pixels near the block boundary based on the weight. The pixel values near the block boundary are adjusted and block noises are removed. A low-pass filter is applied to pixels near the block boundary to determine a filtered value. The adjusted values of the pixels near the block boundary are determined by obtaining a weighted sum of the original pixel value and the filtered value.

Abstract: An imaging unit programmed to reduce specular reflection in a captured image and improve the interpretation of decodable information within the image. The imaging unit is programmed to scan a predetermined region within the image that is susceptible to specular reflection, evaluate the pixel values within the region against a threshold value that is representative of specular reflection, and then replace the pixel value found to represent specular reflection with replacement pixel values that do not corrupt interpretation of the decodable information in the predetermined region. The threshold value and replacement values may be determined on an ad hoc basis and stored in local memory, or calculated for each captured image.

Abstract: A method for red-eye detection in an acquired digital image acquiring one or more preview or other reference images without a flash. Any red regions that exist within the one or more reference images are determined. A main image is acquired with a flash of approximately a same scene as the one or more reference images. The main image is analyzed to determine any candidate red eye defect regions that exist within the main image. Any red regions determined to exist within the one or more reference images are compared with any candidate red eye defect regions determined to exist within the main image. Any candidate red eye defect regions within the main image corresponding to red regions determined also to exist within the one or more reference images are removed as candidate red eye defect regions.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a min-max pixel difference value computing unit computes the difference between the maximum and minimum pixel values in a first image portion including a target pixel and neighbor pixels. A maximum adjacent pixel difference value computing unit computes the maximum value among the difference values between adjacent pixels in the first image portion. An image change feature value computing unit computes a feature value corresponding to the suddenness of image change in the first image portion. A filter coefficient computing unit computes filter coefficients. A sharpen filter accepts, as input, pixels forming a second image portion including the same target pixel as the first image portion and neighbor pixels, and computes an output pixel value for the target pixel.

Abstract: An inventive method obtaining film grains from a picture and processing the obtained film grains using a statistical distribution to determine new film grains. Preferably, a histogram of obtained film grain is subjected to the statistical distribution, which can be a normal distribution. Parameters of the normal distribution are controlled to determine the new film grains.

Abstract: A video receiving apparatus comprises a switch, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a video processing circuit and a decoder is provided. The ADC receives a first analog channel data from the switch within a plurality of first periods and receives a second analog channel data from the switch within a plurality of second periods, and output a digital video signal. The sampling frequency of the ADC is a plurality of times of a switching frequency of the switch. The video processing circuit includes a recovery circuit and a noise reduction circuit. The recovery circuit restores the digital video signal to a recovery video signal corresponding to a video format of the analog video signal. The noise reduction circuit reduces noises generated by the switch according to the digital video signal. The decoder outputs a display signal according to the analog video signal.

Abstract: A noise correction circuit that detects and corrects noise included in an image signal output from an image sensor is provided. The noise correction circuit includes a noise determining unit, a noise removing unit, and a random number adding unit. The noise determining unit is configured to calculate an average value of a signal level in a predetermined range of the image signal output from the image sensor and use the calculated average value to calculate a noise component in a predetermined direction. The noise removing unit is configured to remove noise from the image signal output from the image sensor in response to the noise component determined by the noise determining unit. The random number adding unit is configured to add a random number at a level not determined by quantization of the image signal to the image signal after removal of the noise by the noise removing unit.

Abstract: Spotlighting and other special effects are applied by processing circuitry in real time to received video streams. Effects tracking may be applied to fixed regions or moving regions or objects of interest. Viewers interact via conventional remote controls and other user interfaces to set effect parameters. Other special effects employed include zooming, masking, etc. and can be used to enhance one or more spotlight effects. Televisions, set top boxes and media players house the underlying circuitry. Effects are applied to layered and non-layered video streams to form layered and combined video stream output. Video outputs also deliver effect parameters such as region of interest location along with a video stream. Such effect parameters assist in the downstream application of dynamic effects.

Abstract: A video signal compensator (10, 70, 80, 290) for selectively compensating for age-related non-uniformities in a display, receives an indication of motion or detects motion in an incoming video signal, and receives or determines an indication of amounts of compensation for the different parts of the display needed to compensate for the non-uniformities. The compensator selectively applies the needed amount of compensation to the video signal according to the indicated motion to apply less of the needed compensation where there is less motion, over at least some of the range of possible motions. This can reduce the drive levels at least where the non uniformities are less visible because of the motion in the video. The reduced drive levels can lead to less ageing and thus prolong display life. The amounts of needed compensation can be predicted or determined from measured outputs of pixels of the display.

Abstract: A visible mismatch in noise characteristics between a portion of a background scene inserted in composite image by a matte generated from a blue screen and a second portion of the same background inserted by a garbage matte is significantly reduced by adding extracted noise characteristics from the foreground image to the portion of the background scene inserted by the garbage matte. The selective addition of foreground noise characteristics to portions of the background scene significantly enhances the realistic look of a composite image.

Abstract: A display control apparatus comprises a video source(105) which provides a video signal comprising frames. The video source (105) is coupled to a compensation processor (107) which filters at least part of a first frame to provide a compensation for perceived motion blur. A display output (109) feeds the compensated video signal to a display (103) which presents the frame. A controller (111) is arranged to control the display (103) such that it radiates light in a sequence of light pulses for each frame where the sequence of light pulses comprising at least some light pulses having different durations. A motion blur processor (113) determines a suitable compensation filter for the perceived motion blur compensation as one that corresponds to an inverse filter of the sequence of light pulses. The use of pulsed light radiation modifies the hold effect filtering such that it can be better and more easily compensated by pre-filtering.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a video signal includes means for receiving the video signal, means for analyzing the video signal based upon a user supplied set of instructions, means for processing the video signal in accordance with the analysis, and means for outputting the processed video signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for broadcasting a modified live media feed of an event. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a live media feed at a broadcast computer from one or more recording devices, wherein the live media feed includes real time occurrences of a live event. The live media feed is broadcast after a predetermined delay, and the method includes identifying, during monitoring of the live event, a portion of the live event that is suitable for application of a modification effect. The process also includes the broadcast computer applying the modification effect to a portion of the live media feed corresponding to the identified portion of the live event, and then broadcasting the modified live media feed.

Abstract: The moving images under reproduction are displayed in a main screen and a plurality of thumbnail images that serve as indexes by which to search for a desired scene are displayed. Moreover, the thus displayed thumbnail images are updated at a predetermined timing according as the moving images progress.

Abstract: A visible luminance step in a background scene, caused by a signal level mismatch between a matte signal level and a blue backing signal level, is significantly reduced by a soft edge transition region that raises the blue backing signal level up to the signal level of a garbage matte by using a cleanup signal restricted to the transition region. The soft edge formed by cleanup does not make subjects transparent, and actors may enter this zone with little loss of image quality.

Abstract: A system and method for altering images using predetermined parameters is provided, through the use of a record associated with a digital video file. The record contains a number of parameters about insertion opportunities, including the location, time span, and shape of such opportunities. When a digital video file is requested, the record is accessed, and a determination is made as to whether the file should be altered. Should the determination be made for an alteration, a distinctive image is selected based on the information, including the parameters in the record, and an insertion or substitution is made.

Abstract: A system of generating three-dimensional (3D) depth information is disclosed. A color and object independent local blurriness estimation unit analyzes blurriness of each pixel of a two-dimensional (2D) image. Subsequently, a depth assignment unit assigns depth information to the 2D image according to the analyzed blurriness.

Abstract: In a method for producing output from an image record, the type of input unit supplying the image record is determined. The image record is classified into one of a predetermined plurality of different edit statuses. The classifying utilizes as input the determined type of input unit. The edit statuses are inclusive of unedited status and very-edited status. The image record is digitally enhanced. During the enhancing material alteration of the image record is constrained. The enhancing is more constrained when the edit status is very-edited and less when the edit status is other than very-edited. The image record is rendered to match a predetermined output unit. The resulting image record is output in viewable form.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, a min-max pixel difference value computing unit computes the difference between the maximum and minimum pixel values in a first image portion including a target pixel and neighbor pixels. A maximum adjacent pixel difference value computing unit computes the maximum value among the difference values between adjacent pixels in the first image portion. An image change feature value computing unit computes a feature value corresponding to the suddenness of image change in the first image portion. A filter coefficient computing unit computes filter coefficients. A sharpen filter accepts, as input, pixels forming a second image portion including the same target pixel as the first image portion and neighbor pixels, and computes an output pixel value for the target pixel.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an acquisition unit, a memory, a search unit, and a synthesis unit. The acquisition unit acquires a moving image including a plurality of images, and sets a pixel in a process image as a target pixel. The process image is to be processed in the moving image. The memory stores a fine texture image obtained by extracting a texture component in a reference image different from the process image. The search unit sets a pixel position of the target pixel as a first position, and to search a predetermined range in the fine texture image in order to find a second position corresponding to the first position. The synthesis unit synthesizes a pixel value of the second position in the fine texture image with a pixel value of the target pixel.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus processes image data corresponding to a display image. The image processing apparatus includes M image processing sections which have a function of processing image data of M (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 2) images segmented from the image and an image processing control section which, when an image corresponding to input image data is an image which has a resolution being of size to be processable by N (where N is an integer equal to or smaller than M?1) image processing sections, causes L image processing sections from among the M image processing sections to process image data corresponding to L (where L is an integer equal to or greater than N+1 and equal to or smaller than M) partial images segmented from image data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided for performing motion compensated interpolation wherein, for any pixels in the interpolated frame to which there is neither a forward vector nor a backward vector projecting: including the pixel in an intermediate frame conceal area if it is not located within the full frame reveal area; including the pixel in an intermediate frame reveal area if it is not located within the full frame conceal area; and using the intermediate frame conceal and reveal areas to interpolate values for pixels within an area of the interpolated frame.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with processing video data are described. According to one embodiment, a device comprises a video processor for processing a digital video stream by at least identifying a facial boundary within images of the digital video stream. A combiner selectively applies a digital film grain to the images based on the facial boundary.

Abstract: A video processing system includes at least one video source, a region selecting unit, a subtracting unit and a display unit. The region-selecting unit selects the user-defined region of interest from the video source. The subtracting unit subtracts the required region, selected by the region selecting unit. The output of the subtracting unit is provided to the display unit, which displays the required output. In one embodiment, when video data is received from a plurality of video sources, the selecting of user defined regions of interest from the video sources is supported. The region subtracting unit can be used to subtract the required region of interest from video data and it is displayed on the display unit. In other embodiments of invention, the display unit displays on overlay of two unrelated video streams.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus includes a detector which detects whether pattern portions such as wallpaper portions having a pattern or the like or no-picture area portions having a single color are contained besides contents in a video signal input thereto, and a corrector which corrects the video signal. If the pattern portions are contained in the input video signal, the corrector is controlled so as not to correct the video signal.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes an LCD, and on the LCD, a touch panel is set. When a player object encounters an enemy object, a battle screen is displayed on the LCD. A player performs a sliding operation on the touch panel with a stick or the like in such a manner as to surround the enemy object and tries to obtain the enemy object. At this time, when the enemy object (affecting object) already obtained is selected, an ability (effect) equipped with the affecting object can be produced. For example, a flame according to a surrounding line is generated. When the flame hits the enemy object, the enemy object is damaged to decrease its moving speed and stop moving.

Abstract: Metadata defining TV video settings is embedded in or otherwise accompanies a video stream. The metadata is executed by the TV to establish the settings, which consequently may be optimized for the particular video stream.

Abstract: Motion picture scenes to be colorized/depth enhanced (2D?3D) are broken into separate elements, backgrounds/sets or motion/onscreen-action. Background and motion elements are combined separately into single frame representations of multiple frames which becomes a visual reference database that includes data for all frame offsets used later for the computer controlled application of masks within a sequence of frames. Each pixel address within the database corresponds to a mask/lookup table address within the digital frame and X, Y, Z location of subsequent frames. Masks are applied to subsequent frames of motion objects based on various differentiating image processing methods, including automated mask fitting of all masks or single masks in an entire frame, bezier and polygon tracing of selected regions with edge detected shaping and operator directed detection of subsequent regions. Colors and/or depths are automatically applied to masks throughout a scene from the composite background and to motion objects.

Abstract: A method suited to the detection and correction of red-eyes includes assigning a probability to pixels of a digital image of the pixel being in a red-eye, the probability being a function of a color of the pixel. Optionally, generally circular regions in the image of contiguous pixels which satisfy at least one test for a red-eye are identified. The test may include determining a size or shape of the region or an extent of overlap with a region comprising pixels having at least a threshold probability of being in a red-eye. For each of a plurality of the pixels, such as simply those in identified regions, or for all pixels or a larger group of the pixels, a color correction for the pixel is determined. The correction is a function of the assigned probability that the pixel is within a red-eye and a color of the pixel.

Abstract: The invention involves the technology of video digital image processing. With respect to the problem of larger error existed in the existing video image motion processing method, a video image motion processing method introducing global feature classification is provided. The video image motion processing method introducing global feature classification includes the following steps of: extracting local features of pixel points, including local motion features; extracting the global feature of an image; classifying the pixel points according to the obtained local features and the global feature; assigning correction parameters to the obtained types; correcting the local motion features by means of the obtained correction parameters. Another object of the invention is to provide a device for realizing the above video image motion processing method introducing global feature classification.

Abstract: Method of displaying a video of a scene onto a display with enhanced image quality, the video of the scene having first subframes and second subframes wherein the first subframes correspond to a first region of an image-presentation element of the display and the second subframes correspond to a second region of the image-presentation element; and selecting an access key corresponding to the first subframes. The method further includes encoding the access key into one or more of the second subframes; providing the second subframes to the display using a first data transport; the display, decoding the access key and receiving the corresponding first subframes using a second data transport different from the first data transport; and selectively providing the first and second subframes from the first and second data transports to corresponding regions in the image-presentation element of the display, whereby the displayed image has enhanced image quality.

Abstract: A signal correcting method includes: obtaining multiple types of signals at each of a plurality of points; extracting a point with signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals, which have a predetermined relationship to signal values of the multiple types of signals at a target point; and correcting the multiple types of signals at the target point based upon the signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals at the target point and the signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals at the extracted point.

Abstract: A document presentation device 10 includes a video signal controller 50 adapted to output a video signal of a video image for display on a display unit 40; and a remote controller RC. The video signal controller 50 includes a video signal processing unit 60 for creating a live video image within the field captured by an image sensor 31a; a masking setting unit for setting the brightness differential of the masking region; and a masking image display control unit that upon receiving an instruction from a masking instruction unit of the remote controller RC, sets a portion of the live video image to a masking region based on settings that are set in advance through the masking settings portion, and displays the live video image on the display unit 40; and that upon receiving an instruction from a position instruction unit of the remote controller RC changes the position of the masking region.

Abstract: A display device and a method of driving the same are disclosed, wherein a single original image is converted into a picture-enhanced image and a non-enhanced image, which are then displayed. The display device includes a controller (140) dividing a screen into a first display window and a second display window, and outputting control signals based on display options corresponding to the first display window and the second display window, and a video processing unit (160) separating an original image into a first image part and a second image part, and modifying picture qualities of each of the first image part and the second image part that are to be displayed on each of the first display window and the second display window, depending upon the control signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing and displaying images uses image characteristics of an area of interest of images to optimize or otherwise determine image characteristics of the entire image to be displayed. The area of interest information may be used in computing an SSBC profile for the area of interest, and the SSBC profile may be used to adjust the image signal to provide an image in which the image characteristics, e.g., are optimized for the image at the area of interest. The image characteristics and/or SSBC profile information may be provided as metadata included in a video signal data stream. The area of interest may be selected where the image is obtained, where the image is shown or elsewhere, e.g., in an image storage device, image player, etc.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a motion vector detection unit that determines a motion vector between a plurality of images obtained in time series, an image synthesis unit that obtains a synthesized image by correcting a positional deviation between the plurality of images on the basis of the determined motion vector and synthesizing the plurality of images subjected to the positional deviation correction, a smoothing area extraction unit that extracts a smoothing area in which smoothing processing is to be performed on the basis of a degree of inconsistency occurring when the positional deviation is corrected, and a smoothing processing unit that performs the smoothing processing on the extracted smoothing area, from among respective areas of the synthesized image.

Abstract: A pixel-data processing circuit delivers a fixed number of pixels to a video processing stage using an irregular sampling pattern that is defined by a variably-definable sampling window. In one example embodiment directed to processing an input stream of pixels corresponding to an array of video pixels, the window size is selected from one of various options for sampling subsets of the array as a two-dimensional window that spans the pixels in the array. A sampling-window is used such that the window size is a multiple of the sampling-window size and the sampling-window size defines the fixed number of pixels.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] To provide a video quality adjustment support unit capable of contributing to video quality improvement. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] Correction data of a video signal corresponding to a type of content and to a viewing condition for viewing the video signal is stored in a correction data storing device 30. Then, a content discriminating device 11a discriminate the type of content of the video signal, and a viewing condition data acquiring device 11b acquires viewing condition data. Then, a correction data extracting device 11c extracts correction data corresponding to the type of content and to the viewing condition data from the correction data storing device. Then, a supporting device 11d supports video quality adjustment of the video signal based on the correction data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for converting digital images for use in an imaging system. The apparatus includes a data memory which stores digital data representing an image having a circular or spherical field of view such as an image captured by a fish-eye lens, a control input for receiving a signal for selecting a portion of the image, and a converter responsive to the control input for converting digital data corresponding to the selected portion into digital data representing a planar image for subsequent display. Various methods include the steps of storing digital data representing an image having a circular or spherical field of view, selecting a portion of the image, and converting the stored digital data corresponding to the selected portion into digital data representing a planar image for subsequent display. In various embodiments, the data converter and data conversion step may use an orthogonal set of transformation algorithms.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for adjusting video quality outputted by an aerial vehicle to manage the data stream bandwidth to match the needs of each mission segment. A mission segment is monitored in order to determine a preferred video quality of service. A quality of service is set based on the monitored mission segment. The quality of service is selectively altered based on a change of at least one of a mission segment or an environmental condition.

Abstract: A video is summarized by determining if a video contains one or more junk frames, modifying one or more boundaries of shots of the video based at least in part on the determination of if the video contains one or more junk frames, sampling a plurality of the shots of the video into a plurality of subshots, clustering the plurality of subshots with a multiple step k-means clustering, and creating a video summary based at least in part on the clustered plurality of subshots. The video is segmented into a plurality of shots and a keyframe from each of the plurality of shots is extracted. A video summary is created based on a determined importance of the subshots in a clustered plurality of subshots and a time budget. The created video summary is rendered by displaying playback rate information for the rendered video summary, displaying a currently playing subshot marker with the rendered video summary, and displaying an indication of similar content in the rendered video summary.

Abstract: A signal correcting method includes: obtaining multiple types of signals at each of a plurality of points; extracting a point with signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals, which have a predetermined relationship to signal values of the multiple types of signals at a target point; and correcting the multiple types of signals at the target point based upon the signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals at the target point and the signal values corresponding to the multiple types of signals at the extracted point.

Abstract: There is provided a video display device including a content control unit for displaying a video content on a display screen; a user specifying unit for specifying a user viewing a video content displayed on the display screen; and an image quality adjustment unit for adjusting the image quality of the display screen according to the user specified by the user specifying unit.