Gamma Correction Patents (Class 358/519)
  • Patent number: 7616361
    Abstract: In gamut mapping, when saturation is linearly compressed, a saturation drop of a low-saturation part is considerable. Linear compression based on zone division produces discontinuous points. Nonlinear compression cannot automatically and uniquely calculate a conversion curve. To combat these problems, first and second gamut data are obtained, the lightness ranges of the gamut data are normalized, and the lightness, hue, and saturation values of a sample point of the first gamut data after normalization are calculated. Maximum saturation points which have lightness and hue values equal to those of the sample points are calculated from the first and second gamut data after normalization. A color conversion table is then generated by calculating a mapping point in the second color gamut after normalization, which corresponds to the sample point, on the basis of the saturation values of the maximum saturation points and sample point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7606438
    Abstract: To obtain an excellent edge enhancement effect even when dynamic ? correction processing is executed for an edge-enhanced image signal, and to obtain an excellent edge enhancement effect for various ?-characteristics. An edge component is detected from an input image signal. A ? correction curve is calculated based on characteristics of an image scene detected by a scene characteristic detector, and its data is stored in a dynamic ? correction RAM table and an inverse gradient RAM table. A gain controller multiplies the edge component by a control signal from the inverse gradient RAM table to generate an edge enhancement signal which is in turn added to the image signal to obtain an edge-enhanced signal. The inverse gradient RAM table sends an inverse number of a gradient of a ? correction curve corresponding to a signal level of the inputted image signal as the control signal to the gain controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kousei Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7605960
    Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to reproduce gradations of dark parts between devices with different ranges of reproducible brightness. The range of reproducible brightness by the printer is a range from Lblack to 100, and this is narrow in relation to the range of brightness that is able to be reproduced by the digital camera (0 to 100). An image processing apparatus converts the input brightness Linput on the input brightness graph Linput-graph to the output brightness Loutput on the output brightness graph Loutput-graph. Accordingly, the low brightness gradations 0 to Lblack of the input brightness Linput in relation to the input RGB values included in the range R1 become Lblack to L1, the dark area gradations are reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Hoshii
  • Patent number: 7602401
    Abstract: An image display apparatus for displaying an image on a panel having pixels each including a plurality of subpixels of different colors includes an interpolation operator interpolating consecutive sampling values of pieces of input color data to correct phases of the pieces of input color data on the basis of positions of the subpixels in each pixel and output pieces of output color data; an area detector detecting a specific area from the image displayed on the panel by processing the input color data or the output color data; and a correction unit computing and outputting weighted averages of the pieces of input color data and the pieces of output color data on the basis of a detection result obtained by the area detector. The specific area is an edge portion, a portion where a luminance level gradually changes, or a repeated-pattern portion where a spatial frequency is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Nishida, Mitsuyasu Asano, Kazuhiko Ueda
  • Patent number: 7595921
    Abstract: When a profile to be referred to during conversion between different color systems is created, output color data that associates first and second color component data with their output colors is obtained, an interpolation function is generated based on the output color data for the first color component data, the interpolation function is corrected such that the interpolation results for the second color component data approximately matches the output color data for the second color component data, and a profile is created based on the corrected interpolation function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ito, Makoto Fujino
  • Patent number: 7595920
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for color image information inputs a combination of component values of reference colors that constitute a processing color, and converts the combination of component values into a lightness value, saturation value, and hue value. The first correction factor, the second correction factor, and the third correction factor each has a value of 1.0 for a lightness value, saturation value and hue value converted from a specified color respectively, and monotonically decreases toward 0.0. The modulation amount storage means stores a modulation amount of the lightness value, saturation value, and hue value respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Kondo, Yasunari Yoshida, Takeshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7593147
    Abstract: There is provided an output apparatus capable of outputting an image of high quality even if unreproducible colors are converted into reproducible colors among colors included in an image. The output apparatus, which converts unreproducible colors into reproducible colors among colors included in an image to output the image, includes a color unreproducible region extracting unit operable to extract a color unreproducible region that is a region including a color capable of not being reproduced by the output apparatus among the colors included in the image, a first color converting unit operable to convert a color of the color unreproducible region into a color capable of being reproduced by the output apparatus, and a second color converting unit operable to convert colors of regions besides the color unreproducible region based on positional relationship in the image between the color unreproducible region and the regions besides the color unreproducible region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Okamoto, Norimasa Shigeta, Shuji Ono
  • Patent number: 7589743
    Abstract: One system includes at least one input channel, an octant determining unit, an angle determining unit, and an angle offset unit. Each input channel receives chroma components of image data. The octant determining unit determines which octant a given image data occupies. The angle determining unit determines a hue angle of the given image data within an octant. The angle offset unit adjusts the hue angle for the image data according to the octant the image data was determined to occupy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Francis Higgins
  • Patent number: 7589739
    Abstract: There is provided a color evaluating method of an image display device, which evaluates colors displayed by the image display device, including: displaying an image evaluation image, in which a plurality of color regions corresponding to a pixel or a plurality of pixels of the image display device and each having one of a plurality of colors is included and, among the plurality of color regions, at least one color region and at least one other color region having a color similar to that of the one color region are arranged to be adjacent to each other, on the image display device; and evaluating the colors displayed by the image display device based on picked-up image data obtained by picking up the color evaluation image displayed by the image display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7586657
    Abstract: To generate conversion data enabling to appropriately control a colorant amount, a profile for storing correspondence between device color data and a colorimetry value and control information for controlling a colorant amount is acquired, and inverse conversion data for converting device independent data into device dependent data is generated based on the correspondence between the device color data and the colorimetry value and the control information for controlling the colorant amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Ohga
  • Patent number: 7586498
    Abstract: A color temperature conversion method, medium, and apparatus converting an image from one of a plurality of basic color temperatures provided by an image display device to another color temperature other than the plurality of basic color temperatures. Also, the conversion method and apparatus enable pixels of the image with different brightnesses to have different color temperatures according to a user' preference. The color temperature conversion method includes: calculating variables for determining a conversion range; determining whether based on the calculated variables the input pixel is to be color-temperature-converted by determining whether the input pixel is within the conversion range; and converting the color temperature of the input pixel by moving in the same direction as the reference point to the target point in amount proportional to the reference point displacement so that the input pixel can be automatically moved along with the reference point of the conversion range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dusik Park, Changyeong Kim, Seongdeok Lee, Hoyoung Lee, Daewon Kim, Wonhee Choe, Hyunwook Ok
  • Patent number: 7583407
    Abstract: In a high lightness region of a color hue corresponding to a basic color material, the high lightness region ranging from a lightness level corresponding to the maximum color saturation level that is reproducible by the basic color material to the highest lightness level, color separation data corresponding to the basic color material is generated. In an intermediate lightness region whose lightness level is lower than that of the high lightness region, color separation data corresponding to the basic color material and two color materials (one of them is preferably is a particular color material) that have color hues close to that of the basic color material is generated. This provides the advantage of enlarging the color gamut in the low lightness region of a basic color hue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ayato Imai
  • Patent number: 7580168
    Abstract: In a set of non-reference gamma characteristics corresponding to a density adjustment value, a first region has first characteristics for converting input values to the maximum output value. A second region has second characteristics for converting input values to the minimum output value. A third region defined between the first and second regions has third characteristics for converting input values to intermediate output values. The third characteristics defines a monotonous curve that changes monotonously with respect to change in the amount of the input value. The amount of at least one of the first region and the second region is different from the amount of the corresponding at least one of the first reference region and the second reference region of the reference gamma characteristics by a degree dependent on each density adjustment value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Ikeno
  • Patent number: 7580158
    Abstract: An image analysis unit analyzes an image on which AE processing has been performed and obtains a coefficient for obtaining a gradient of a compression table for compressing a dynamic range of the image. A compression table creation unit creates a compression table. A correction amount calculation unit judges whether the gradient of the compression table is larger than a predetermined threshold value. If the judgment is YES, loss of fine texture in the image by dynamic range compression is significant. Therefore, the correction amount calculation unit calculates a correction amount by using an unsharp image of the image. If the judgment is NO, loss of fine texture in the image is insignificant, the correction amount calculation unit calculates the correction amount by using the image. A compression processing unit compresses the dynamic range of the image by the correction amount and obtains a processed image data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Yusuke Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7573610
    Abstract: An intelligent color gamut management method. The intelligent color gamut management method performs a saturation mapping and a luminance mapping separately according to a characteristic of a target device, thereby enabling the target device to represent a natural color image. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce color reproduction distortion of an image between different color devices having different color gamuts and also reproduce a natural color image, and also, secondary CMY colors, which vary depending on a color temperature, can be adjusted to be more natural. Since the color gamut boundary can be easily obtained, a memory capacity can be saved a freedom of algorithm can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-sub Um, Moon-cheol Kim
  • Patent number: 7573608
    Abstract: A method of estimating the trap of an overprint of at least two primary colors from the spectral density curve of the overprint by computing the amounts of the two primary colors that will produce a spectral density curve that matches the spectral density curve of the overprint, and then relating the amounts to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Danny Clark Rich
  • Patent number: 7574335
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for modelling a non-linear transfer function with a power law function. A transfer function is received. Iteratively, until a termination flag is set, a first power law function is received, an auxiliary function is generated from the transfer function and local differences between the transfer function and the first power law function, a second power law function is fitted to the auxiliary function, a modelling error is calculated from the second power law function and the transfer function, and the termination flag is set when the modelling error is less than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: James J. Estrada
  • Patent number: 7554705
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for gamut mapping with modified black point compensation (BPC). The gamut mapping techniques promote well-distributed tone compression so that substantial loss of detail in highlight and shadow regions can be avoided. The gamut mapping techniques may be particularly useful in converting rich saturated images, such as RGB photographs, for presentation as much less saturated output, such as typical newsprint. Other example applications include conversion of CMYK Specifications for Web Offset Printing (SWOP) printing to CMYK Specifications for Newsprint Advertising Production (SNAP) newsprint, and conversion of RGB photos with camera profiling software to CMYK for all types of printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Edge
  • Patent number: 7551179
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: an image signal processing unit which adjusts an input grayscale values included in an input image signal according to a predetermined grayscale characteristic; a display unit which displays an image based on an image signal included in an output grayscale value adjusted by the image signal processing unit; and a grayscale characteristic changing unit which changes a correlation between the input and output grayscale values defined based on the grayscale characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takefumi Sakakibara, Yuji Mochizuki, Osamu Kumamoto, Shiki Furui
  • Patent number: 7551287
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a micro-electrical mechanical system apparatus includes a bi-stable actuator and at least one movable Fabry-Perot filter cavity mirror coupled to the bi-stable actuator. The bi-stable actuator may be associated with a first latched position and a second latched position and may comprise, for example, a thermal device, an electrostatic device (e.g., a parallel plate or comb drive), or a magnetic device. According to some embodiments, a relationship between a voltage applied to an actuator of a Fabry-Perot filter and an amount of displacement associated with a movable mirror is substantially linear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: GE Homeland Protection, Inc.
    Inventors: Anis Zribi, Glenn S. Claydon, David C. Hays, Stacey Kennerly, Long Que, Shankar Chandrasekaran, Shivappa Goravar, Ayan Banerjec
  • Patent number: 7548357
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a method of processing images capable of performing natural saturation enhancement having a balance between color components with a small amount of calculation is provided. The image processing device may be arranged in an image display device or may be a device for providing display image data to the external image display device to perform the saturation enhancement of the input image data. Specifically, saturation information can be extracted from the input image data to determine a saturation enhancement amount. In addition, a color component to which the saturation enhancement is performed can be extracted from the input image data. Further, based on the determined saturation enhancement amount, the saturation enhancement for each color component can be performed. Here, for the predetermined color component, the saturation is enhanced after the saturation enhancement amount is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hidekuni Moriya
  • Patent number: 7545421
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method provide optimization of color space conversion using a joint quality metric representing differences between reference human visual representations and converted device captured image representations in a perceptual uniform color space, where the conversion includes transforming a nonstandard color space (RGB) to a perceptual standard color space (sRGB) and where the joint quality metric includes a color portion, a noise portion, and a contrast portion. An optical sensor produces a digital reference signal when capturing an image of a reference source such as a Macbeth ColorChecker color rendition chart. After white balancing and color correcting the digital reference signal, the gamma curve parameters are determined by minimizing the joint quality metric which is based on differences, within a uniform perceptual color space such as CIELAB, between the gamma curve compensated signal and the standard values for the reference source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shuxue Quan, Andrew Chinchuan Chiu, Xiaoyun Jiang
  • Patent number: 7532359
    Abstract: A system and process for improving the appearance of improperly colored and/or improperly exposed images is presented. This involves the use of two novel techniques—namely an automatic color correction technique and an automatic exposure correction technique. The automatic color correction technique takes information from within an image to determine true color characteristics, and improves the color in improperly colored pixels. The automatic exposure correction technique measures the average intensity of all of the pixels and adjusts the entire image pixel by pixel to compensate for over or under exposure. These techniques are stand alone in that each can be applied to an image exclusive of the other, or they can both be applied in any order desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Po Yuan, Zhengyou Zhang
  • Patent number: 7529006
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for forming an image using at least three color materials includes a first generation device for generating a plurality of patches of secondary colors composed of color materials of two different colors; a first measurement device for measuring the patches; a first correction characteristic calculation device for calculating gradation-correction characteristics corresponding to each of the two color materials; a second generation device for generating a group of patches in accordance with an image signal for the two different color materials and an image signal for color materials other than the two color materials by using an image signal corrected on the basis of the gradation-correction characteristics; a second measurement device for measuring patches generated by the second generation device; and a second correction characteristic calculation device for calculating gradation-correction characteristics of image signals for color materials other than the two different color ma
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohisa Itagaki, Jiro Ishizuka, Nobuatsu Sasanuma, Nobuhiko Zaima
  • Patent number: 7522307
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus having, a first color conversion unit which executes first color conversion with respect to an image, a first image output unit which reproduces/outputs the image based on an output of the first color conversion unit, a second color conversion unit which executes second color conversion with respect to the same image, and a color conversion output synthesis unit which synthesizes a third color conversion output using outputs of the first and second color conversion units, wherein the apparatus selects one of outputs of the first color conversion unit and the color conversion output synthesis unit to thereby restore the color of the original image before the compression from the compressed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takayuki Sawada
  • Patent number: 7519219
    Abstract: A facial image photographed by a digital camera is downloaded to a PC. When a facial image correction program starts, a correction window and a correction item selection window open on a monitor. When a user opens the facial image in the correction window, a pixel extraction circuit extracts pixels representing a skin area, an eye area, a teeth area, and a hair area from the facial image. Correction items to be performed are determined in the correction item selection window. A cursor position detection circuit detects the position of a cursor in the correction window. When the cursor is in one of the areas, a facial image correction circuit judges whether the correction item corresponding to the area is selected. If the corresponding correction item is selected, the facial image correction circuit subjects a pixel pointed by the cursor to predetermined correction processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Koki Okamura
  • Patent number: 7513952
    Abstract: A color sensor monitors the output of a color producing process and produces a signal representative of a color produced by the color producing process. The signal can be used as feedback signal to control the process. Occasionally, the color sensor signal includes a component representing a transient error. A system model of the color producing process is used to predict reasonable sensor signals. A comparison of the sensor signal with the predicted sensor signals is used to determine if the sensor signal is reasonable. If the sensor signal is unreasonable, a substitute signal is used as the feedback signal to the control process. The substitute signal can be a predicted sensor signal or a signal based on historical system performance data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lalit K. Mestha, Yao Rong Wang, Kenneth J. Mihalyov
  • Patent number: 7502139
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The first processing unit receives multi-valued first compressed image data in accordance with a first compression format that is a variable length compression format. The first compressed image data are externally transferred to the first processing unit. The first processing unit then converts the first compressed image data into second compressed image data in accordance with a second compression format. The second processing unit performs expansion and binarization processes on the second compressed image data, and outputs the second compressed image data to a printer engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7499660
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including (a) a ? conversion unit having a ? conversion table ??i of a first one Vcont? of a designation development contrast in a case that a development contrast correction amount ?Vcont1 is a first value, and a ? conversion table ??i, different from the ? conversion table ??i, of a second one Vcont?, different from the first one Vcont?, of the designation development contrast in a case that the development contrast correction amount ?Vcont1 is a second value different from the first value, and (b) an arithmetic operation unit for calculating a ? conversion table ?Nowi of a third one VcontNow of the designation development contrast in a case that the development contrast correction amount ?Vcont1 is a third value, based on a formula: ?Nowi=??i+(??i???i)Ă—(Vcont??VcontNow/(Vcont??Vcont?), wherein the subscript i is a value of an output density signal in the ? conversion table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7483187
    Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof adjust tonal characteristics of an image to a printer. The apparatus includes a storage unit storing a color correction scheme using a color gamma curve varying in accordance with variable values comprising locations of first and second internal points on the color gamma curve and a gamma coefficient, and a variable input unit receiving the variable values. The apparatus further includes a tone adjusting unit adjusting the tonal characteristics of the image by reflecting the variable values in the color correction scheme and generating bitmap data as a result of the adjustment of the tonal characteristics, and outputting the bitmap data to the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Serafim Bochkarev
  • Patent number: 7483043
    Abstract: A method and system for performing spatial temporal multiplexing using a multi-threshold mask. A mask generator (404) outputs a threshold value for each pixel of a display. The mask generator typically creates a blue noise mask for a given pixel array that is replicated over the face of the entire display. The blue noise mask generator (404) typically is implemented as a memory lookup table. An index generator (402) provides an offset into the memory lookup table that allows the table to be shifted from time to time. The output of the blue noise mask generator (404), which may be the threshold value itself or a signal representing which threshold is being used, is an input to a selective inverter (406). The selective inverter (406) provides the option of inverting the blue noise mask. To reduce artifacts, the mask is periodically shifted and/or inverted. The value from the mask generator (404), whether inverted or not, is compared to the LSBs of the input data word to yield the fractional bit values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel J. Morgan, Jeffrey M. Kempf
  • Patent number: 7480075
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of duplex recording on two faces of recording paper on a basis of input image data, includes: a background adjustment section for performing a background adjustment on a basis of a plurality of background adjustment ? curves; a setting section for setting one background adjustment ? curve from the plurality of background adjustment ? curves; an image processing section for processing the input image data with the background adjustment ? curve set by the setting section; and an image output section for performing duplex recording control to the two faces of the recording paper on a basis of output image data to which the background adjustment is performed by the image processing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mieko Ohkawa
  • Patent number: 7466464
    Abstract: A gradation pattern is printed, the gradation pattern is corrected with a gamma correction table TO based on a result in which the printed gradation pattern is read, the corrected gradation pattern is printed on a photosensitive drum or the like, and a measured density of the printed gradation pattern in S4 is stored as a reference value of density DR. Thereafter, without user's operation, at a set automatic timing, the read gradation pattern P is corrected with the gamma correction table TO and printed on the photosensitive drum or the like, density deviation ?D between a measured density D of the printed gradation pattern in S6 and the reference value of density DR is determined, and the latest gamma correction table T is generated and updated on the basis of the density deviation ?D. Consequently, high-quality image formation can be automatically performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Rintaro Nakane, Shigeru Fujiwara, Hideaki Fukaya
  • Patent number: 7463295
    Abstract: The present invention includes a film or video image pickup signal recording/reproduction system having an image pickup apparatus outputting an image pickup signal, a recording apparatus recording the image pickup signal, a reproduction apparatus reproducing the recorded signal, a characteristic conversion apparatus switching the characteristic of the reproduced signal, and a display apparatus displaying the signal output from the characteristic conversion apparatus. The image pickup apparatus has two kinds of gamma curve characteristics. The gamma curve characteristic data is recorded by the recording apparatus and extracted by the reproduction apparatus. The gamma curve characteristic of a reproduction image is switched by the characteristic conversion apparatus depending on the data. The image is output on a display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoji Asada, Akihiro Takeuchi, Akira Usui, Yoshitaka Sakamoto, Takayuki Kimoto, Tamotsu Akeyama
  • Patent number: 7460268
    Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing device which can reduce a storage capacity and perform color correction in accordance with the types of image. The image processing device of the present invention has an input correction section 6 including: input color correction section 24 for, using a matrix coefficient, correcting strength of signals for color components in image data of a supplied image; a matrix coefficient storage section 26 for storing a plurality of matrix coefficients in accordance with types of image; and control section 25 for reading a matrix coefficient corresponding to the type of a supplied image out of the matrix coefficients stored in the matrix coefficient storage section 26 and setting the matrix coefficient that has been read in the input color correction section 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makio Goto, Masanori Minami
  • Patent number: 7456998
    Abstract: According to the invention, a value of a high density color material as a decomposition target is decomposed into a combination of the high density color material value and a low density color material value by using a value obtained by color-measuring a patch in which the high density color material and the low density color material are combined, a color measurement value of a patch formed by using the value of the high density color material as a decomposition target is compared with a color measurement value of a patch formed by using the values of the high density color material and the low density color material formed by decomposing, and the values of the high density color material and the low density color material formed by decomposing are corrected on the basis of the comparison result. A color separation table in which a color drift of 5 or more colors corresponding to each color does not occur can be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7456873
    Abstract: Briefly, a camera according to the present invention includes a first signal processing system having a first gamma conversion processing unit for subjecting an output from an image pick-up device to gamma conversion processing and a luminance signal generating unit for generating a luminance-system signal based on an output from the first gamma conversion processing unit, and a second signal processing system having a color signal generating unit for generating a color-system signal based on an output which is the output from the image pick-up device and which is not subjected to the gamma conversion processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Kohashi, Keiichi Mori
  • Patent number: 7456843
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing gamma corrections to maintain a plurality of colors substantially consistent with a color point. In one aspect of the present invention, a method to generate correction functions for performing color correction for a device for signals of different color components in a color space includes: generating a first correction function for a first color component in the color space; and generating second correction functions for second color components in the color space by reducing first color differences between a target White point and white points of a plurality of grays corrected by the first and second correction functions. The second color components are the color components in the color space other than the first color component. The first color differences are minimized relative to a chromaticity diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Kok Chen, Gabriel G. Marcu
  • Patent number: 7453597
    Abstract: One single-stage proofer RIP replaces a conventional setup of two proofer RIP stages in series. Preliminary profile and data processing usually performed at the first of the conventional RIP stages, and source input terminal of the second, are instead performed in a preprocessor at the image-originating or production-hardcopy-printer station. The preprocessor combines production-printer forward and inverse profiles with a profile for the monitor, associated computer or graphics program—to form a single profile that converts monitor signals to perceptual data representing appearance of the predicted production copy. This three-way composite profile is applied to the source terminal of the single-stage proofer RIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Rodolfo Jodra, Ignacio Ruiz de Conejo
  • Patent number: 7450267
    Abstract: A method for determining lattice points to be referenced to prepare the correspondence defining data, said method including steps of prescribing a smoothness evaluation function which evaluates smoothness of arrangement of lattice points in the device-independent color space and which has as a variable the lattice point position information in the low-dimensional color space which is prescribed by less color components than the number of inks used by the printing apparatus, optimizing the arrangement of lattice points in the device-independent color-space by improving the rating of the smoothness evaluation function, with the lattice point position information in the low-dimensional color space varied, and associating the amount of each ink with the lattice points in the low-dimensional color space in the optimized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ito, Yoshifumi Arai
  • Patent number: 7450281
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and information processing apparatus and method employs an output profile read-out unit that, according to a region designated by a preference selection unit, reads out one or more regional profiles from output profiles prepared for each such region. An output profile composing unit then combines the one or more output profiles based on a composition ratio input from the preference selection unit. The output profile is then input to a color matching processor for color matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Torigoe, Takeshi Makita, Yuji Akiyama, Osamu Yamada, Takuya Shimada
  • Patent number: 7447374
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide an intuitive system for digital image processing. In some embodiments, the system of the present invention allows a user to enhance digital images that appear dark or dull. In some embodiments, the user activates an image enhancement button on a graphical user interface using cursor control device such as a mouse button. In some embodiments, the digital image enhancement system is implemented using a nonlinear brightness level transformation correction and a pseudo gamma correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Russell Reid
  • Patent number: 7436996
    Abstract: A method and system for converting color image data (data outputting from element 202) from a, for example, three-dimensional color space format to a format usable by an n-primary display (206), wherein n is greater than or equal to 3. The system (converter 204) may define a two-dimensional sub-space having a plurality of two-dimensional positions, each position representing a set of n primary color values and a third, scaleable coordinate value for generating an n-primary display input signal (signal inputting toi display 206). Furthermore, the system may receive a three-dimensional color space input signal including out-of range pixel data not reproducible by a three-primary additive display, and may convert the data to side gamut color image pixel data suitable for driving the wide gamut color display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Genoa Color Technologies Ltd
    Inventors: Moshe Ben-Chorin, Oded Ben-David
  • Patent number: 7436545
    Abstract: If an ink for a particular color (for example, red) having an excellent color developing characteristic is used in addition to inks for three primary colors of subtractive color mixture, the high color reproducibility is to be maintained for a long period. To accomplish this, at least one (for example, a yellow ink) of the inks of two colors between which the hue angle of red, included in the three primary colors, is sandwiched is applied to an area of a printing medium to which a red ink is applied so that the inks overlap each other. Thus, the yellow ink, having a high weatherability, is applied to an area on the printing medium to which only the red ink, having a low weatherability, is otherwise applied. It is therefore possible to improve the weatherability while maintaining the color developing characteristic at a high level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tomioka, Hiroyuki Takuhara, Tsuyoshi Kanke, Shin-ichi Tochihara, Shohei Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 7433062
    Abstract: An image processing method for processing an input job in parallel using a plurality of color image output apparatus, includes developing input image data into bit map image data, using either of first and second modes. In the first mode, the input image data is developed a plurality of times, using a color processing condition matching each of the plurality of color image output apparatus, while in the second mode, the input image data is developed using an optional color processing condition and the developed result is outputted to the plurality of color image output apparatus. A user is allowed to select either a high-speed process or a high-precision process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7414598
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus for driving a plasma display panel in which the capability to represent the gray scale can be improved, and method thereof. The apparatus includes an inverse gamma control block for performing an inverse gamma correction process on input data received from the outside by using two or more gamma values, and a select unit for outputting one of two or more output data on which the inverse gamma correction operation is performed, which is outputted from the inverse gamma control block. Therefore, the capability to represent the gray scale can be improved. Furthermore, an error diffusion pattern and pseudo noise can be reduced and the picture quality can be thus improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kan Han Lee
  • Patent number: 7397483
    Abstract: In tetrahedral interpolation suitable for data conversion implemented by digital computations, when the unit rectangular hexahedron is a regular hexahedron, no complicated multiplication is required, and the computation volume can be greatly reduced. However, when the unit rectangular hexahedron is not a regular hexahedron, since a complicated multiplication is required, the computation volume increases considerably. To avoid this, after the grid spacing is set (S1), X-u?, Y-v?, and Z-w? tables for obtaining the positions of an input value with respect to normalized grid points are prepared (S2-S4). Subsequently, image data is input (S5), and u?, v?, and w? corresponding to the input image data are obtained using the prepared tables (S6). The relationship among u?, v?, and w? is determined (S7), and data-converted image data is calculated using an equation corresponding to the determination result (S8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroaki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7394929
    Abstract: A computer method for transforming a sensor color space of a digital image to standard color space. The color pixels in the sensor color space digital image are grouped and multiplied by multiple color conversion matrices without amplifying sensor noise. Different color conversion matrices are used for different parts of the image. The sum of the color error and amplified noise is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Suk Hwan Lim, D. Amnon Silverstein
  • Patent number: 7385731
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for processing digital multi-colour images for the reproduction thereof on a colour printing and/or copying system. Particularly, the printing and/or copying system is capable of complementary forming registered composite multi-colour images of coloured marking particles. This means that the separation images of coloured marking particles are formed contiguous to each other rather than in a superimposed relationship. The digital multi-colour images are processed such that during reproduction thereof any adverse effects on image quality caused by register errors in a predetermined direction are eliminated or at least limited. To accomplish this, a particular halftoning technique is used wherein with gradually increasing input density value of the image pixels, a linear growth pattern is generated in the predetermined direction by alternately adding image dots to both sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Océ Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Henricus Johannes George Draaisma
  • Patent number: 7382382
    Abstract: The liquid crystal display device inputs a signal, corrected by a correction circuit provided with a sigmoid inverse function generator, to a source driver. A sigmoid function which is an S-shaped function is used to approximate an input/output characteristic (applied voltage-transmittance curve) of a liquid crystal panel. The sigmoid inverse function generator converts an input signal by using an inverse function of the sigmoid function obtained by performing the approximation. A ? conversion circuit provided on the correction circuit and the sigmoid inverse function generator realize the desired ? characteristic regardless of a characteristic of the liquid crystal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Furukawa, Yasuhiro Yoshida, Masafumi Ueno