Abstract: Digital image filters and related methods for image contrast enhancement are disclosed. According to one aspect of the method, an invariant brightness level is initially determined. For each pixel of an input image, the invariant brightness level is subtracted from the input brightness of the pixel. The resulting value is multiplied with a contrast adjustment constant. After that, the invariant brightness level is added. Further aspects of the method can involve histogram equalization.

Abstract: A method of processing image data includes generating image data including luminance and chrominance data representing a selected object, separating the luminance and chrominance data, storing the separated luminance and chrominance data in corresponding separate spaces in memory, and separately compressing the stored luminance and chrominance data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting chroma dropout errors in one or more fields associated with various video frames are provided. Pixels associated with a current field are divided into a set of pixel pairs. Co-occurrences matrices are calculated for previous and subsequent fields. A first pixel pair associated with the current field is selected. First and second set of entries are selected from the co-occurrence matrices corresponding to the previous and subsequent fields. The first pixel pair is searched in the first and second set of entries. An absence of the first pixel pair in the first and second set of entries satisfies a first criterion of chroma dropout error. Other criteria in addition to the first criterion are evaluated to label the first pixel pair as erroneous.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a processor operable to receive video content from a multimedia source, to detect at least one frame in the video content affected by a high intensity burst of light, and to determine a chrominance reference from frames in the video content unaffected by the high intensity burst of light. The processor is also operable to modify chrominance in the at least one frame according to the chrominance reference without altering spatial characteristics of objects in the at least one frame, to replace the at least one frame in the video content with the modified at least one frame to create updated video content, and to present the updated video content at a presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A band processing circuit which generates image signals corresponding to different frequency bands from an image signal in which signals corresponding to different colors are arranged and which suppresses noise by synthesizing the image signals of the different frequency bands, a sampling circuit which generates image signal corresponding to the colors by sampling the image signal input from the band processing circuit in accordance with a predetermined arrangement, and a luminance/color generation circuit which generates a luminance signal in which aliasing is suppressed using an image signal output from the sampling circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed are an Unequal Error Protection (UEP) apparatus and method thereof for transmitting various types of uncompressed video signals in a broadband high frequency wireless system. The UEP apparatus may include a UEP transmission controller to verify a bit separation point of separating a color depth and priority for each pixel element being composed of a video data pixel when video data is inputted, and to control an error correction coding of correcting relatively many errors to be used in information with a high priority for each pixel element, a bit separator to separate the video data pixel through a control of the UEP transmission controller based on the priority for each pixel element, and a channel coding unit to use a corresponding error correction coding through the control of the UEP transmission controller based on the priority for each pixel element.

Abstract: A method for reducing image artifacts in an image that includes a number of pixels each of which includes at least one video information value, includes generating a plurality of filter coefficients for at least some of the pixels of the image, on the basis of which the video information values of the pixels can be reconstructed. Artifact detection is performed to detect artifact regions within the image. At least some filter coefficients of those pixels that lie within the artifact regions are modified to generate modified filter coefficients. The video information values are synthesized using the filter coefficients, the modified filter coefficients being employed for the synthesis for pixels lying within the artifact regions.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a processor operable to receive video content from a multimedia source, to detect at least one frame in the video content affected by a high intensity burst of light, and to determine a chrominance reference from frames in the video content unaffected by the high intensity burst of light. The processor is also operable to modify chrominance in the at least one frame according to the chrominance reference without altering spatial characteristics of objects in the at least one frame, to replace the at least one frame in the video content with the modified at least one frame to create updated video content, and to present the updated video content at a presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image display device, comprising: a lookup table specifying a corresponding relationship between color saturation represented by gradation and set values associated with part including the minimum value of the color saturation; a first color saturation setting unit for setting color saturation associated with the set value greater than or equal to a predetermined value based on the lookup table; and a second color saturation setting unit for setting color saturation associated with the set value less than the predetermined value by calculating values which gradually decreased to the minimum value of the color saturation as the set value decreases.

Abstract: Chroma correction is executed in consideration of the area effect of colors. To this end, an input image is segmented into a plurality of regions as sets of pixels having similar feature amounts, and a size evaluation value of the each segmented regions is calculated based on the number of pixels and a shape of the each segmented region. Chroma correction is applied to the input image to weaken correction as the region has a larger size evaluation value.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for color compensation of a display having a translucent display cover applied to an outside surface of the display. A method may include characterizing a color shift due to the translucent display cover for when there is rendering of an image on the display and compensating for the color shift when rendering an image on the display. The method further may include measuring the color shift induced by the color of the finish, and as described below compensating the red, green, and blue (RGB) levels of the display so that the display image may be presented to the user as originally intended. In this way, the image quality may be substantially optimized for viewing regardless of the lens/cover surface color.

Abstract: A method for extending bit-depth of display systems. The method includes creating pseudo-random noise from human visual system noise. When applied to the image data, the noise causes spatiotemporal dithering. The pseudo-random noise is combined with image data, producing noise-compensated image data. The noise-compensated image data is them quantized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video signal processing device for avoiding a phenomenon that noise is upwardly or downwardly shifted due to noise reducing operation when a non-standard signal is input. When a non-standard signal is input as an input video signal, coefficients of interpolating filters for carrying out interpolation on pixels of timely-sequential field video signals are fixed as a non-standard signal supporting signal processing. With this processing, interpolated pixels achieved by the interpolation processing are located at the same vertical spatial position, and pixels which are noise-reduced by the interpolated pixels are located at the same vertical spatial position as pixels before original noise is reduced, thereby locating the pixels at the same horizontal position.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides an innovative technique and efficient hardware structure for recovering lost or damaged (lost/damaged) compression constants in the encoded domain. In one embodiment, a lost/damaged compression constant is recovered by estimating a compression constant of the block using encoded data of at least one neighboring block of data and other recoverable compression constants of the block.

Abstract: A method and a device by which original digital signals are analysis-filtered, where the original digital signals include original samples representing physical quantities, and where the original samples are transformed by successive calculation steps into high and low frequency output samples. Any sample calculated at a given step is calculated by a predetermined function of the original samples and/or previously calculated samples, where the samples are ordered by increasing rank. The signal is processed by successive input blocks of samples, where the calculations made on an input block under consideration take into account only the original or calculated samples belonging to the input block under consideration, and where the input block under consideration and the following input block overlap over a predetermined number of original samples. Output blocks are formed, where each output block corresponds respectively to an input block.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an address generation circuit for generating an address signal. A memory operates for storing an information signal containing a video signal in response to the address signal. The address signal is periodically updated. A compression processing circuit operates for reading out the information signal from the memory, and subjecting the readout information signal to a compressively encoding process. A head of every frame represented by the information signal is detected. A state of the address signal is stored which corresponds to the detected frame head. Detection is made as to whether or not the information signal becomes discontinuous. The updating of the address signal and also the operation of the compression processing circuit are suspended when it is detected that the information signal becomes discontinuous. Detection is made as to whether or not the information signal returns to a normally continuous state after the information signal becomes discontinuous.

Abstract: A method for extending bit-depth of display systems. The method includes the steps of measuring the static display noise of a display device, using the display noise to create pseudo-random noise and subtracting the pseudorandom noise from a contone image. After the noise-compensated image data is quantized and displayed, the noise in the display device will substantially convert the noise-compensated image data back to contone image data with few or no contouring artifacts. Other embodiments include using the inherent noise of the human visual system instead of the static display noise, or both. Specific adjustments can be made to the noise of the human visual system for color displays.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides an innovative technique and efficient hardware structure for recovering lost or damaged (lost/damaged) compression constants in the encoded domain. In one embodiment, a lost/damaged compression constant is recovered by estimating a compression constant of the block using encoded data of at least one neighboring block of data and other recoverable compression constants of the block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting video signal dropout. The method includes the step of generating a video signal, and then electronically isolating at least one component of the video signal. The at least one component is representative of the absence of the video signal itself. Next, the absence of the at least one component is electronically sensed. The step of electronically isolating can include the step of passing the video signal through a comb filter, and in particular isolating a luminescence signal from the video signal. The step of electronically isolating can also include passing the video signal through a sync separator. The step of electronically sensing can include passing the at least one component through a comparator. The method can also include the step of generating the video signal for a predetermined time duration, and simultaneously generating an audio signal to indicate the end of the predetermined time duration.

Abstract: Device and method for correcting a color distortion on a TV receiver, is disclosed, the method including a multi-path channel estimation step wherein a transmission channel existing between a transmitted side in a broadcasting station and a color demodulating circuit in a TV receiver is estimated for obtaining an impulse response using a reference signal transmitted from the broadcasting station for equalizing a multi-path channel, a color subcarrier phase error calculation step wherein a phase error of a color subcarrier between the transmitter side of the broadcasting station and the TV receiver is calculated using the estimated impulse response, and a phase correction of a reproduced color subcarrier step wherein a phase error on the TV receiver in reproduction of a color is corrected as much as the phase error obtained in the color subcarrier phase error calculation step.

Abstract: An S/N ratio is improved and flicker noises and mosquito noises are suppressed while deterioration of a resolution is suppressed. A three-dimensional cyclical digital filter (16) is interposed between a MPEG video decoder (12) and a video DAC. In accordance with a luminance input signal Yu from the MPEG video decoder (12), Yv is calculated from the following equation.Yv=Ft-K.multidot.(Ft-F(t-1))where K is a value in the range of 0.ltoreq.K<1, Ft is a present Yu input value, and F(t-1) is a one-frame preceding Yv.

Abstract: A system for converting original RGB color signals to CMY signals includes the step of separating color signals from the original image into low-frequency and high-frequency components. The low-frequency components are converted to CMY signals via a look-up table reflective of a non-linear algorithm, while the high-frequency components are converted to CMY signals according to linear algorithms. The technique avoids color distortion caused by high-frequency noise, such as from halftone screens, in the original image.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing and decoding the closed caption data from a television signal and displaying the closed caption data, along with the video picture, in a windowing environment on the monitor of a personal computer system. The closed caption decoder device stores the line of video data containing the closed caption text in an object in the frame buffer of the PC. The host CPU reads the raw video data from the frame buffer and stores it in system memory. The host CPU parses the line of video data to separate the two ASCII characters representing closed caption data from the color burst information and synchronizing clock information. After the closed caption data has been retrieved and parity-checked, the closed caption data may be displayed in a window of user-determined size and location on the monitor of the PC, independent of the size and location of the video image window corresponding to the closed caption text.

Abstract: Luminance data Y(1) (i=1,2, - - - ,n, - - - ) are input one by one to a detecting unit, and luminance correlation information R(i-1,i) denoting a luminance correlation or a luminance non-correlation between the luminance data Y(i) and Y(i-1) are generated. Four pieces of luminance correlation information R(n-1,n) to R(n+2,n+3) are stored in a filter controlling unit. Also, chrominance data C(i) are input one by one to a starting-stage chrominance data generating unit, and starting-stage chrominance data C1(n+2) is generated from the chrominance data C(n+1), C(n+2) and C(n+3) according to the luminance correlation information R(n+1,n+2) and R(n+2,n+3). other starting-stage chrominance data C1(n) and C(n+1) are generated in advance in the same manner. Second-stage chrominance data C2(n+1) is generated from the starting-stage chrominance data C(n), C(n+1) and C(n+2) in a second-stage chrominance data generating unit according to the luminance correlation information R(n,n+1) and R(n+1,n+2).

Abstract: In a television system including a source of an intermediate frequency (IF) signal, which signal includes an IF picture carrier amplitude modulated with video information, synchronous demodulator means responds to the IF signal, for providing an in-phase first output video signal that has both luminance and chrominance components, and for providing a quadrature-phase second output video signal that has a chrominance component but substantially no luminance component. Chroma circuitry is responsive to the quadrature-phase second output video signal for generating first and second color-difference signals.

Abstract: Error concealment apparatus for correcting errors in signals representing video images includes means for detecting image gradients in an area surrounding a lost block of image data. Circuitry responsive to these image gradients generates a plurality of blocks of directionally interpolated pixel values. The pixel values in the respective blocks of directionally interpolated pixel values are sorted according to amplitude, and then pixel values from mutually exclusive positions in the respective blocks are selected to form a block of pixel values for error concealment.