Color Image Processing Patents (Class 382/162)
  • Patent number: 8976299
    Abstract: A method for determining a scene boundary location dividing a first scene and a second scene in an input video sequence. The scene boundary location is determined responsive to a merit function value, which is a function of the candidate scene boundary location. The merit function value for a particular candidate scene boundary location is determined by representing the dynamic scene content for the input video frames before and after candidate scene boundary using sparse combinations of a set of basis functions, wherein the sparse combinations of the basis functions are determined by finding a sparse vector of weighting coefficients for each of the basis functions. The weighting coefficients determined for each of the input video frames are combined to determine the merit function value. The candidate scene boundary providing the smallest merit function value is designated to be the scene boundary location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventors: Mrityunjay Kumar, Abdolreza Abdolhosseini Moghadam, Alexander C. Loui, Jiebo Luo
  • Patent number: 8976431
    Abstract: The color of a pixel in a scanned image is represented by two color components and is adjustable by interpolating between color component values obtained from elements in a bidimensional color remap look-up table. The table is sparsely populated and may be readily implemented in most scanner circuits without adding memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas G. Keithley
  • Patent number: 8977629
    Abstract: A machine may be configured to access an image of an item described by a description of the item. The machine may determine an image quality score of the image based on an analysis of the image. A request for search results that pertain to the description may be received by the machine, and the machine may present a search result that references the item's image, based on its image quality score. Also, the machine may access images of items and descriptions of items and generate a set of most frequent text tokens included in the item descriptions. The machine may identify an image feature exhibited by an item's image and determine that a text token from the corresponding item description matches one of the most frequent text tokens. A data structure may be generated by the machine to correlate the identified image feature with the text token.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventors: Anjan Goswami, Sung Hwan Chung
  • Patent number: 8976264
    Abstract: A technique for generating a digital photograph comprises blending two related images, each sampled according to a different illumination environment. The two related images are blended according to a blend surface function that includes a height discontinuity separating two different blend weight regions. Color consistency between the two related images is achieved by spatial color correction prior to blending. The technique enables a digital camera to generate a strobe image having an appearance of consistent color despite discordant strobe and ambient scene illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Duelight LLC
    Inventors: William Guie Rivard, Adam Barry Feder, Brian Kindle
  • Patent number: 8977043
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus of image depth estimation are provided. The method includes the following steps. First, a hue value of each pixel in an image is calculated by comparing all color components of each pixel in the image. The hue value of each pixel in the image is associated with a corresponding value, wherein the corresponding value is a first numerical value or a second numerical value. Then, according to the corresponding value of each pixel in the image, a depth value of each pixel in the image is calculated, in which the depth value is used to convert the image into a three-dimensional (3D) image to be displayed on a 3D display apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Qing-Hua Dai
  • Patent number: 8976222
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image processing command input section to receive image processing commands for image data written into a memory by units of one line, a line number deriving section to derive a number of lines of the image data required to execute image processing operations based on the image processing commands received by the image processing command input section, a line number indicating section to output a numerical value indicating the number of lines of the image data derived by the line number deriving section, a read timing controlling section to control read timing from the memory in response to the numerical value output from the line number indicating section, a parameter indicating section to output parameters used for the image processing operations, and an image processing section to execute the image processing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Kawamura, Kohji Oshikiri
  • Patent number: 8977051
    Abstract: An image enhancement method for improving color perception of colorblind viewers has an image input step, an image difference area analyzing step, an image color distribution adjusting step, and an image output step. In such method, a normal image and a colorblindness-simulative image are input and calculated to produce a colorblindness-optimized image. Color vision obtained by a colorblind person from the colorblindness-optimized image is substantially identical to that obtained by a person with normal color perception from the normal image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Show Chwan Memorial Hospital
    Inventors: Min-Liang Wang, Huei-Yung Lin, Li-Qi Chen, Shih-Chun Chao, Lih-Ching Lai
  • Patent number: 8971616
    Abstract: A method includes storing a transparency value. A color level value is stored in a set of color bits. The color level value is multiplied by the transparency value, by bit-shifting the set of color bits by a number of bit positions indicated by the transparency value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Jay D. Steele, Kenneth J. Whatmough
  • Patent number: 8971668
    Abstract: Each of multiple images is analyzed to determine how the colors of the pixels of the image are distributed throughout the color space of the image. Different covariance based characteristics of the image are determined that identify a direction, as well as magnitude in each direction, of the distribution of colors of the image pixels. These different covariance based characteristics that are determined for an image can be saved as associated with the image, allowing the characteristics to be accessed and used as a basis for searching the images to identify particular types of images. These different covariance based characteristics can also be used to order the images identified by a search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Brandt, Nico A. Becherer, Sven Duwenhorst
  • Patent number: 8970902
    Abstract: A VDP workflow system and method are disclosed. The system includes an image memory to store a photograph image. The system also includes a VDP document tool to access the photograph image from the image memory and to generate a VDP document comprising the photograph image. The system further includes a red-eye removal tool to process the VDP document to discover red-eye artifacts and to remove the red-eye artifacts from the photograph image on the VDP document based on a programmable red-eye sensitivity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Gaubatz, Muhannad Ismael, Amir Gaash
  • Patent number: 8971661
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed relating to the production of camouflage that include steps such as harvesting a set of objects that have a diversity of color from the environment, placing the set of objects within a scene, capturing a set of images of the scene, adjusting color in the set of images, assembling a composite image, printing the composite image, making color adjustments and reprinting the composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Muddy Water Camo, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen Michael Maloney
  • Patent number: 8971621
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes analyzing each tile of a sheetside image to determine if one or more color values of a tile exceeds a predetermined maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventors: Virgil-Alexandru Panek, John Thomas Varga
  • Patent number: 8965121
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are image color matching and equalization devices and related methods. According to an aspect, a method may include determining overlapping portions of a scene within first and second images of the scene. The method may include generating an array of color channel differences between the overlapping portions. Further, the method may include applying a quantization technique to the array of color channel differences for creating a sparse difference color matrix. The method may also include identifying empty locations of the sparse matrix and computing interpolated difference color values to fill them. Further, the method may include modifying the color of at least one pixel of one of the images by performing an inverse look-up in the sparse table utilizing its color, identifying the color difference on the corresponding entry, and applying the color difference on the target pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: 3DMedia Corporation
    Inventor: Michael McNamer
  • Patent number: 8965068
    Abstract: An apparatus for discriminating a disguised face includes a face area detector configured to detect a face area in an input image provided from an external source. The apparatus includes a skin color modeling module configured to separate a skin color area from the face area and a disguised face discriminator configured to determine whether signals in the skin color area have a pulse component to discriminate whether a face in the input image is the disguised face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Ho sub Yoon, Chan Kyu Park, Kye Kyung Kim, Do-Hyung Kim, Jae Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 8965122
    Abstract: Signals are provided which allow colors in a wider color range than predetermined standards, which can be handled by apparatus according to such predetermined standards. A primary color converter converts first color signals having primary color points in a wider color range than the primary color points according to BT.709 into second color signals based on the primary colors according to BT.709. A photoelectric transducer converts the second color signals into third color signals according to photoelectric transducer characteristics defined in a numerical range wider than a range from 0 to 1.0 of color signals corresponding to a luminance signal and color difference signals according to BT.709. A color signal converter converts the third color signals into a luminance signal and color difference signals. A corrector incorporated in the color signal converter corrects the color difference signals into color difference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ko Ishimoto, Koichiro Kakinuma, Takehiro Nakatsue, Tatsuhiko Matsumoto, Shuichi Haga, Hiroshi Takizuka, Yoshiki Shirochi, Naoya Katoh, Hiroshi Yamashita, Koichi Oura, Yoshihiro Kosugi, Junichi Iwai, Kazuji Uemura, Shigeo Kubota, Hideo Morita
  • Patent number: 8963960
    Abstract: A system and method for performing content aware cropping/expansion may be applied to resize an image or to resize a selected object therein. An image object may be selected using an approximate bounding box of the object. The system may receive input indicating a lowest priority edge or corner of the image or object to be resized (e.g., using a drag operation). Respective energy values for some pixels of the image and/or of the object to be resized may be weighted based on their distance from the lowest priority edge/corner and/or on a cropping or expansion graph, and relative costs may be determined for seams of the image dependent on the energy values. Low cost seams may be removed or replicated in different portions of the image and/or the object to modify the image. The selected object may be resized using interpolated scaling and patched over the modified image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: Anant Gilra
  • Patent number: 8965117
    Abstract: Embodiments of the subject technology provide methods and systems of image pre-processing for improving the accuracy of optical character recognition (OCR) and reducing the power consumption on a given computing device (e.g., mobile computing device). The subject technology, in some examples, classifies an image received from a camera of a mobile computing device into one or more classes: 1) normal background, 2) textured background, 3) image with text, 4) image with barcode, 5) image with QR code, and/or 6) image with clutter or “garbage.” Based on the classes associated with the image, the subject technology may forgo certain image processing operations, when the image is not associated with a particular class, in order to save resources (e.g., CPU cycles, battery power, memory usage, etc.) on the mobile computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg Rybakov, Christopher John Lish, Chang Yuan, Junxiong Jia, Rakesh Madhavan Nambiar, Matias Omar Gregorio Benitez
  • Patent number: 8957985
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to performing imaging processing for dividing a video signal obtained by an imaging unit into a plurality of areas, and detecting in parallel respective evaluation values of video signals of the plurality of areas, reducing the video signal obtained by the imaging unit, detecting an evaluation value of the reduced video signal, and controlling an operation of the imaging apparatus using either the evaluation values of video signals of the plurality of areas or the evaluation value of the reduced video signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Tsuda
  • Patent number: 8958128
    Abstract: In a color image processing apparatus in the present invention, correction values used for causing reproduction characteristics of multi-colors formed by an image forming unit to be close to target values are obtained using results of measurement of colors of multi-color patch images formed by the image forming unit using a plurality of recording materials. The color image processing apparatus includes a first processing unit configured to, when the image forming unit forms a color image, execute a correction process using the correction values, a second processing unit configured to, when the image forming unit forms the color image, execute the correction process without using at least some of the correction values or not to execute the correction process, and a control unit configured to selectively cause the first processing unit and the second processing unit to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Asako Hashizume
  • Patent number: 8958635
    Abstract: A digital image including a plurality of pixels is processed. Each pixel has at least one colorimetric component. The processing of the image includes processing for each pixel of a group of pixels of the image and for each colorimetric component of the pixel. In this processing, a modification is made to the value of the colorimetric component so as to obtain a modified value situated inside or outside a colorimetric range. A comparison is made of the modified value to the upper and lower limits of the associated colorimetric range. If the corrected value is outside the associated colorimetric range, a corrected value equal to an additional value is assigned to the corresponding colorimetric component of the pixel. The additional value is chosen to be unique and included in the associated colorimetric range and different from the values of the limits of the associated colorimetric range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventor: Fritz Lebowsky
  • Patent number: 8958127
    Abstract: Provided are a control apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus including an inline sensor, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a control program. The control apparatus includes: a data analyzing section configured to extract color information contained in an image of a certain page of a job and determine whether there is missing color information necessary for color administration of the job in the extracted color information; a color patch creating section configured to create a color patch or color patches corresponding to the missing color information and arrange the color patch or color patches in the certain page; and a control section configured to send image data of the certain page in which the color patch or color patches are arranged to the image forming apparatus so as to make the image forming apparatus perform print processing and measuring color information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.
    Inventor: Tatsuro Yamamuro
  • Patent number: 8958081
    Abstract: This disclosure provides spot color control methods, apparatus and systems. According to one exemplary embodiment, disclosed is a method of generating device dependent color recipes for a plurality of printing devices. The method includes generating a first device dependent recipe for a target color for rendering on a first printing device, and generating a second device dependent recipe for the target color for rendering on a second printing device, whereby the second device dependent recipe is a function of the first device dependent color recipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Alvaro Enrique Gil, Lalit Keshav Mestha
  • Patent number: 8953876
    Abstract: Techniques for accurate color representation of images stored within a social networking system. In an embodiment, an error metric and a target error threshold are determined. A binary search algorithm and a simulated annealing algorithm are performed. A color profile for transforming an image in a first color space to a second color space is created based on the binary search algorithm, the simulated annealing algorithm, the error metric, and the target error threshold. Determination of the error metric may comprise determining a frequency with which a color occurs in the image, assigning a weight to the color based on the frequency, and calculating the error metric based on the weight. Determination of the error metric may comprise dividing the image into a plurality of sections, assigning a plurality of importance values to the plurality of sections, and calculating the error metric based on the plurality of importance values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Apostolos Lerios, Ryan David Mack
  • Patent number: 8954423
    Abstract: A request can be received and a request reading level representation for the request can be inferred. In response to the request, the request reading level representation can be compared with one or more reading difficulty level representations for one or more response items. Also in response to the request, one or more indications of results of comparing the request reading level representation with one or more reading difficulty level representations for the one or more response items can be returned. The indication(s) may include a ranking of the response items. The ranking can be based at least in part on a request reading level representation for the query and reading difficulty level representations for the response items. The response item(s) may also be returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Sebastian de la Chica, Kevyn B. Collins-Thompson, Paul N. Bennett, David Alexander Sontag, Ryen W. White
  • Patent number: 8953218
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending LCDS imaging data stream imaging capabilities. An imaging data stream can be modified to permit the imaging data stream to implement at least one full-color call for rendering full-color forms and full-color jobs via at least one rendering device within a rendering system. This can be accomplished by creating and associating at least one full-color extension with a syntax of the imaging data stream in order to implement the at least one full-color call in an extensible set of color spaces, and also compactly decoding, storing indexing and searching the at least one full-color call within a particular job. In addition, an LCDS imaging data stream can be modified to provide an image substitution pathway to permit at least one full-color image included in said LCDS imaging data stream to be substituted for monochrome images or highlight color images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: George Kenneth Hartupee, Jr., Hayley H. Yau
  • Patent number: 8953879
    Abstract: A system, method and medium correcting a display image. The system includes a parameter calculation module to calculate a plurality of parameters required for a transform of a first image, based on a plurality of characteristic differences between the first image and a second image, into which the first image is to be transformed to visually match the second image, a first characteristic transform module to transform a first characteristic of the first image using the plurality of calculated parameters, the transformation resulting in an unrelated change to a second characteristic of the first image, and a second characteristic restoration module to restore the second characteristic changed by the transforming of the first characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-shin Kwak, Xiao Kaida, Du-sik Park
  • Patent number: 8948507
    Abstract: A controller converts the original image data into converted image data representing a first converted image, analyzes the original image data and counts a number of first characters recognized in the original image represented by the original image data, and analyzes the converted image data and count a number of second characters recognized in the converted image represented by the first converted image data. The controller compares the number of first characters with the number of second characters and determine which one of the number of first characters and the number of second characters is greater than the other. The controller outputs the original image data when the controller determines that the number of first characters is greater than the number of second characters, and outputs the converted image data when the controller determines that the number of second characters is greater than the number of first characters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8948508
    Abstract: A system and method for correcting colors in an image in order to identify pills. The system includes a surface that includes a background upon which pills are positioned and a border of known color adjacent to the background. The system also includes a digital camera and a processor. The processor is used to receive and process the image, use target objects on the surface to identify areas of the image that correspond to the known characteristics and features of the surface, perform image diagnostics to determine if the image can be used, and correct image color based on comparison of identified areas of the image that correspond with the known characteristics and features of the surface. Various graphical displays or cues can assist a user in obtaining a usable image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Medsnap, LLC
    Inventors: Ning Zheng, Stephen E. Brossette, Patrick A. Hymel, Jr., Daisy Y. Wong
  • Patent number: 8948503
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing device including a subband dividing section configured to perform subband division of image data of a color whose pixel positions are alternately shifted from each other, the image data being included in image data output from an image pickup element of a pixel arrangement in which the pixel positions of at least one color of three primary colors are alternately shifted from each other in one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, with pixels of two upper and lower lines adjacent to each other or pixels of two left and right columns adjacent to each other as a unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8948506
    Abstract: A device and method for generating RGB arrangement data from an imaging signal by a photograph imaging device having an RGBW arrangement are provided. An edge detection unit analyzes an output signal in the RGBW arrangement from the imaging device, and thus obtains edge information corresponding to each pixel, and a texture detection unit generates texture information. Furthermore, a parameter calculation unit performs an interpolation process of converting an application pixel position according to the edge direction corresponding to a conversion pixel. A blend process unit inputs a parameter which the parameter calculation unit generates, edge information and texture information, and determines a conversion pixel value by performing a blend process by changing a blend ratio of the parameter which the parameter calculation unit calculates, according to the edge information corresponding to the conversion pixel and the texture information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Saito, Isao Hirota
  • Patent number: 8948477
    Abstract: An derivation method of a nail apparatus melanoma discrimination threshold includes a first step of assuming a color image of longitudinal melanonychia as three-dimensional vectors each composed of RGB parameter values of each pixel and finding an angle between each of the three-dimensional vectors and a reference vector, a second step of finding a probability of occurrence according to a frequency distribution of the angles found in the first step, and a third step of finding, according to the probability of occurrence found in the second step, a threshold for a parameter to discriminate whether the longitudinal melanonychia is malignant or benign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Sota, Juzo Fujii, Atsushi Nakamura, Shinya Ohtsubo
  • Patent number: 8948504
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device and a machine readable storage medium for determining image hue, which relate to the field of image processing. The device is configured to perform: obtaining color information of a part or all of pixels of an image including hue values, brightness values and saturation values; determining a pixel whose hue value needs to be compared according to the obtained color information, and comparing the pixel, whose hue value needs to be compared, with hue values of preset multiple candidate colors, determining a closest candidate color, and accumulating a weight value of the pixel whose hue value needs to be compared to a weight value of the closest candidate color; and using hue of a candidate color with the highest weight value as hue of the image. The machine readable storage medium can cause a processor to perform the steps above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jianyong Kong
  • Patent number: 8947422
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention involve methods and systems for creating depth and volume in a 2-D planar image to create an associated 3-D image by utilizing a plurality of layers of the 2-D image, where each layer comprises one or more portions of the 2-D image. Each layer may be reproduced into a corresponding left eye and right eye layers, with one or both layers including a pixel offset corresponding to a perceived depth. Further, a depth model may be created for one or more objects of the 2-D image to provide a template upon which the pixel offset for one or more pixels of the 2-D image may be adjusted to provide the 2-D image with a more nuanced 3-D effect. In this manner, the 2-D image may be converted to a corresponding 3-D image with a perceived depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Tara Handy Turner, Evan M. Goldberg, Matthew F. Schnittker, Joseph W. Longson, Robert M. Neuman
  • Patent number: 8942471
    Abstract: A method and a System to obtain a more realistic image of an object by acquiring a plurality of e.g. monochromatic images without increasing the structure of a, for example, charged coupled device array by a sequential acquisition of the images by using a color sequential flash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Volkmar Schulz
  • Patent number: 8941730
    Abstract: A color-unevenness inspection apparatus includes: an image pickup section picking up an image of an inspection target in a color-unevenness inspection; and an image generation section generating an uneven-color image by, in the picked-up image of the inspection target obtained by the image pickup section, calculating a chroma in each unit region and identifying an uneven-color region based on a magnitude of the calculated chroma. The color-unevenness inspection apparatus further includes: a calculation section calculating, for the uneven-color region in the uneven-color image, an evaluation parameter to be used in the color-unevenness inspection; and an inspection section performing the color-unevenness inspection based on the calculated evaluation parameter. The image generation section calculates the chroma, in each unit region of the picked-up image, while performing correction processing that reflects variations in color-unevenness visibility from color to color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Nagamine, Satoshi Tomioka
  • Patent number: 8941883
    Abstract: A method creates a copy image from a hardcopy original on a reproduction system including a display. The method includes displaying a predetermined digital image according to image parameters set with initial image parameter values, reading out image parameter values entered by a user for replacing the initial image parameter values and characterizing the hardcopy original, displaying the predetermined digital image in accordance with the read-out image parameter values, determining a first conversion of image parameters mapping the initial image parameter values to the read-out image parameter values, determining a second conversion of image parameters by inverting the first conversion, scanning the hardcopy original resulting in scan-bound image parameter values, applying the second conversion to the scan-bound image parameter values resulting in converted image parameter values, and creating the copy image by taking into account the converted image parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: OCE-Technologies B.V.
    Inventor: Bastiaan J. Hermus
  • Patent number: 8942472
    Abstract: With a pixel included in image data as a reference pixel, a pixel that shares the same pixel value as the reference pixel or a pixel similar to the reference pixel is judged as a shared pixel, and for the pixel judged as the shared pixel, color of the reference pixel is regarded as a color judgment result of the shared pixel, thus making it possible to reduce color calculation processing for the shared pixel. This makes it possible to provide a color judging apparatus operating at higher speed and the like. Thereby, it is possible to provide the color judging apparatus operable at high speed and the like by reducing the number of times of the color calculation processing executed for an input image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Otsuka, Osamu Manba
  • Publication number: 20150023591
    Abstract: A system and method for performing an optical analysis of a point of aim of a projectile discharge device includes capturing and storing a first image in a first temporary storage location, capturing and storing a second image in a second temporary storage location, comparing the second image with the first image by employing an image processing technique decoding a plurality of color codes of the first image by an image processor and storing in a first two dimensional array, decoding a plurality of color codes of the second image by an image processor and storing in a second two dimensional array, comparing a plurality of matrix of elements of the first two dimensional array and the second two dimensional array and storing in a third two dimensional array and generating a binary outcome of an authorized user in a unique color chosen by the authorized user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Ramakrishna Potluri
  • Patent number: 8937746
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, apparatus are provided that include a color data conversion subsystem configured to convert color data in order to produce device-dependent output color separation data. The color data conversion subsystem has been configured by gamut mapping including providing a gamut in a hue-based color space and applying color distance adjustments to the hue-based color space. A hue dependent lightness preservation operation can also be part of the subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Sidney Maltz, James Michael Sanchez
  • Patent number: 8934735
    Abstract: In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. According to a feature of the present invention, the method comprises the steps of providing an image represented in a spatial plane, organizing spatio-spectral information for the image in a matrix equation expressed by normal and tangential constraints determined as a function of a spatial orientation of selected image locations, relative to the spatial plane of the image and utilizing the matrix equation to solve for an intrinsic image corresponding to the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Neil Stein, Jean-Francois Lalonde
  • Patent number: 8934711
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method for restoring an image which is expected to be when there is no fog from a foggy image, the image processing method including: generating a pixel depth image of the foggy image by estimating a plurality of pixel depths of a plurality of pixels, respectively, included in the foggy image based on a channel difference between at least two of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) channels of the foggy image; processing the pixel depth image; obtaining an optical model parameter with respect to the foggy image; and restoring an image, which is expected to be when the foggy image does not include the fog, by using the processed pixel depth image and the optical model parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd., Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Du-bok Park, Han-seok Ko, Chang-won Jeon
  • Patent number: 8934725
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for coding and/or decoding bitplanes are described. Aspects relate to speeding up bitplane coding when one or more entropy coders are used as part of the encoding process. A number, e.g., three, consistent value, e.g., zero value, bitplanes are identified and subjected to coding, e.g., in some embodiments using a JPEG 2000 arithmetic coder. Remaining bitplanes including data are subjected to coding using a second coding process, e.g., an entropy coding process implemented by a JPEG 2000 selective arithmetic bypass coder. By subjecting zero value bitplanes to the coding, e.g., arithmetic coder processing or its equivalent, 3 bitplanes are subjected to fast, easy to implement coding while non-consistent value bitplanes can be coded using selective arithmetic bypass coding. This satisfies the JPEG 2000 requirement that 3 bitplanes be generated in accordance with arithmetic coder processing while avoiding the normal delays associated with processing of non-consistent value bitplanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Accusoft Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas Richter
  • Patent number: 8934140
    Abstract: A color gamut of image data is appropriately subjected to a smoothing processing to print an image of favorable color reproduction and gradation reproduction. Specifically, when an average lightness is equal to or lower than a blacking lightness, the object pixel is not subjected to the smoothing processing. This can conserve the signal value of the object pixel to prevent a pixel originally having a signal value higher than the blacking lightness from being converted by the gamut compression to a black point. In this manner, a pixel for which the object pixel has the average lightness equal to or lower than the blacking lightness is blacked and a pixel having a signal value higher than the blacking lightness is not compressed to the black point. The resultant image has no deteriorated gradation characteristic when being macroscopically observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ayumi Hori, Fumihiro Goto, Yusuke Hashii, Tetsuya Suwa, Fumitaka Goto
  • Patent number: 8934697
    Abstract: Image processing apparatus (100) for creating an overlaid presentation of a first input image (101) and a second input image (102) in an output image (108), the first input image comprising input values, the output image comprising vectors of output values, the vectors of output values representing colors of the output image, and the apparatus comprising an input (110) for obtaining the first input put image and the second input image, a rendering unit (140) configured for rendering the first input image in the output image by using a first mapping function for representing the input values in the vectors of output values, a predictor (120) configured for predicting the second input image from the first input image for obtaining a predicted second input image (104), a residual calculator (130) configured for calculating a residual image (106) from the second input image and the predicted second input image, the residual image comprising residual values representing prediction errors of the predicted second in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Rafael Wiemker, Thomas Buelow, Martin Bergtholdt, Kirsten Meetz, Ingwer-Curt Carlsen
  • Patent number: 8929653
    Abstract: Signals are provided which allow colors in a wider color range than predetermined standards, which can be handled by apparatus according to such predetermined standards. A primary color converter converts first color signals having primary color points in a wider color range than the primary color points according to BT.709 into second color signals based on the primary colors according to BT.709. A photoelectric transducer converts the second color signals into third color signals according to photoelectric transducer characteristics defined in a numerical range wider than a range from 0 to 1.0 of color signals corresponding to a luminance signal and color difference signals according to BT.709. A color signal converter converts the third color signals into a luminance signal and color difference signals. A corrector incorporated in the color signal converter corrects the color difference signals into color difference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ko Ishimoto, Koichiro Kakinuma, Takehiro Nakatsue, Tatsuhiko Matsumoto, Shuichi Haga, Hiroshi Takizuka, Yoshiki Shirochi, Naoya Katoh, Hiroshi Yamashita, Koichi Oura, Yoshihiro Kosugi, Junichi Iwai, Kazuji Uemura, Shigeo Kubota, Hideo Morita
  • Patent number: 8929632
    Abstract: A method of visualizing changes in blood flow in a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) image sequence is disclosed. A time-contrast curve is generated for all pixels in each image of the DSA image sequence. A reference parameter for each time-contrast curve to be used as a first time point is specified. The value of the reference parameter for each time-contrast curve is determined and an arbitrary parameter is specified for each time-contrast curve to be used as a second time point. An output image is generated by applying a color-coding of the difference between the first time point and the second time point to all pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tim Horz, Markus Kowarschik
  • Patent number: 8929647
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus according to the present invention determines a monochrome area and a color area of an input image. The apparatus comprises an acquisition unit that acquires an image characteristic value of the input image; and a determination unit that determines whether each pixel group in the input image is a monochrome area or a color area based on the image characteristic value acquired by the acquisition unit, wherein the acquisition unit acquires a plurality of image characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of acquisition areas including a determination target pixel group, and the determination unit determines whether the pixel group is a monochrome area or a color area based on the plurality of image characteristic values corresponding to the plurality of acquisition areas including the pixel group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuo Suzuki, Izumi Kanai, Kazuhiko Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 8928937
    Abstract: A method enables primary color values for pixel to be processed before the pixel is rendered. The method includes allocating non-black primary colors as being under black, secondary colors, or tertiary colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Mantell
  • Patent number: 8928941
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus prints an image without streaks on a medium. A receiving section receives base color image data and non-base color image data. A detecting section detects a boundary between a first area in which the base color image is printed and a second area which surrounds the first area and no image is printed therein. A correction section performs correction on the image data to generate one of a third area defined in a peripheral portion of the first area and a fourth area which is defined in a peripheral portion of the second area and is contiguous to the first area. A smaller amount of base color toner is consumed in the third and fourth area than in the first area. A printing section prints an image on a medium in accordance with the corrected base color image data and the non-base color image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Oki Data Corporation
    Inventor: Akimitsu Kawano
  • Patent number: 8929646
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for repairing one or more defects of a target coating of a vehicle. The system can repair target coatings at a repair facility using matching coating compositions provided from a supply center, where the matching coating compositions can be produced according to target repair data transmitted from one or more repair facilities to the supply center. The system can comprise one or more supply centers and one or more repair facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Axalta Coating Systems IP Co., LLC
    Inventors: Allan Blasé Joseph Rodrigues, Daniel A Benton, Gerard T Brosmer, Larry Eugene Steenhoek, Hartmut Krause, Matthew T Reed