Color Image Processing Patents (Class 382/162)
  • Patent number: 8824014
    Abstract: A method of operating a printer includes reducing a first plurality of coverage parameters in a first continuous tone (contone) pixel by a predetermined amount if a combination of at least two of the coverage parameters is below a predetermined threshold and reducing a second plurality of coverage parameters in a second pixel by a smaller amount if the combination of coverage parameters in the second pixel is greater than the predetermined threshold. The method further includes generating half-tone image data from the first and second pixels and forming printed marks corresponding to the first and second pixels on an image receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: David Robinson, Katherine Loj
  • Patent number: 8824787
    Abstract: A method and system for correcting a silhouette of a person extracted from an image by labeling each pixel as the person or the background are disclosed. The pixels in a target region are corrected by: a step in which, by the use of pixels in the target region labeled as the person, a person histogram is created; a step in which, by the use of pixels in the target region labeled as the background, a background histogram is created; a step in which, for each pixel in the target region, by the use of the person histogram, the background histogram and color data of each pixel in the target region, first connective costs of the pixel to the color data of the person and the background are calculated; and a step in which, for each pixel in the target region, a second connective cost of the pixel is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Dunlop Sports Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Ueda, Yoshiaki Shirai, Nobutaka Shimada
  • Patent number: 8824016
    Abstract: An image processing device performs: defining determination regions based on image data; executing a first color conversion for the image data using a first type of parameter to generate a first image; determining an estimated amount of colorant for each determination region, the estimated amount indicating an usage amount of colorant to be used for each determination region when the first image is printed; outputting the first image if the estimated amounts of colorant for all determination regions are smaller than or equal to respective threshold values; and executing a second color conversion for the image data using a second type of parameter to generate a second image if the estimated amount of colorant for at least one is greater than the threshold value, the usage amount of colorant for the second image being smaller than the usage amount of colorant for the first image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 8823746
    Abstract: A system and method for applying motion blur to an application window. Motion blur may be applied to pixel in a window by calculating a velocity vector for each pixel in the window with reference to velocity vectors calculated for each corner of the window. Motion blur may be implemented by placing a number of blur samples in a frame along the pixel velocity vector according to the size of the pixel vector, or by directionally downsampling then re-upsampling the content of the window. For a frame having multiple windows, the motion blur for each window may be determined independent of the motion of other windows or as a composite for windows moving together. According to an embodiment, for each pixel in the frame, the associated application window may be identified and the pixel blurred with reference to the corner velocities of the associated application window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Chad E. Jones, Assana M. Fard, Christopher Wright
  • Patent number: 8824859
    Abstract: A method for data display includes storing an identification code and receiving encoded video content for playback. The encoded video content is decoded so as to output a series of video frames while modulating a background level of the video frames in the series according to the identification code. Related systems and methods are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Zeev Geyzel, Daniel Ratner
  • Publication number: 20140241628
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Virgil-Alexandru Panek, John Thomas Varga
  • Patent number: 8816855
    Abstract: Methods, computer program products and systems for providing video tracking. The method includes receiving a first signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. A location of the RFID tag is determined in response to the first signal. An image that includes the location of the RFID tag is recorded. The location of the RFID tag is marked on the image, resulting in a marked image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Barrett Kreiner, Jonathan L. Reeves
  • Patent number: 8818087
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a representative color calculation unit, a color displacement calculation unit, and a similarity calculation unit. The representative color calculation unit calculates a representative color which is representative of colors in a first region having a predetermined size in an image. The color displacement calculation unit calculates, as a color displacement, a difference between the representative color calculated by the representative color calculation unit and a color in a target second region in the first region. The similarity calculation unit calculates similarity between the color displacement calculated by the color displacement calculation unit and a predetermined color displacement in an information image representing information embedded in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Itoh
  • Patent number: 8818083
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) of remotely controlled drones (10, 12) fitted with respective cameras (14) enabling a virtual shot from an assailant drone (12) at a target drone (10) to be validated by recognizing the target drone (10) in a video image (17) supplied by the camera (14) of the assailant drone (12) while firing a virtual shot. The recognition means comprise a beacon (15, 16) arranged on the target drone (10) and covered in two first strips (18) of a first color reflecting light at a first wavelength lying in the range 590 nm to 745 nm, situated on either side of at least one second strip (19, 20) of a second color reflecting light at a second wavelength, lying in a range 445 nm to 565 nm. It is thus possible to identify very reliably drones flying in an open space whether outdoors or indoors, in spite of the very great variety of interfering details present in the background images that are likely to be picked up by the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Parrot
    Inventors: Claire Jonchery, Thomas Derbanne, Martin Lefebure
  • Patent number: 8818084
    Abstract: A table, which records a relationship between image data of patches included in a chart, which are acquired by capturing the chart under a plurality of types of illumination light having different characteristics, and the characteristics, is held for each image capturing device capturing the chart, and for each chart print condition. Specifying information of an image capturing device used to estimate characteristics of illumination light and a print condition of a chart used to estimate the characteristics of the illumination light are input as estimation conditions. Image data of a chart captured by the image capturing device under the illumination light is input. The characteristics of the illumination light are estimated based on a table corresponding to the estimation conditions and the input image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Shimbaru
  • Patent number: 8817329
    Abstract: A color measuring device includes a unit configured to calculate a reference-value matrix for converting imaged reference RGB value of a reference color patch a reference colorimetric value of the reference color patch; a unit configured to convert a color-measurement RGB value of a color measurement object into an imaged colorimetric value of the color measurement object by using the corresponding reference-value matrix; a unit configured to select reference color patches of which the reference colorimetric values each have a close distance from the imaged colorimetric value in the predetermined color space; a unit configured to select, as selection RGB values, the imaged reference RGB values of the selected patches; a unit configured to calculate a selection-RGB-value matrix for converting the selection RGB values into the reference colorimetric values; and a unit configured to convert the color-measurement RGB value into a colorimetric value by using the selection-RGB-value matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Satoh, Yasuyuki Suzuki, Masato Kobayashi, Yuichi Sakurada, Suguru Yokozawa, Mamoru Yorimoto, Tatsuhiko Okada, Daisaku Horikawa, Ryo Honda
  • Patent number: 8818085
    Abstract: A method of processing a digital image having a predetermined color pattern, includes converting the predetermined color pattern of the digital image into a converted digital image having a different desired color pattern; and using algorithms adapted for use with the desired color pattern for processing the converted digital image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures Fund 83 LLC
    Inventors: Russell J. Palum, Bruce H. Pillman
  • Patent number: 8818089
    Abstract: A device and method of removing chromatic aberration which occurs in an image generated by capturing a target subject. The chromatic aberration removing device includes a chromatic aberration region detecting unit which detects a chromatic aberration occurrence region in an input image, a coefficient calculating unit which calculates a minimizing pixel value which minimizes a difference between sizes, numbers of pixels or intensities of edges of red, green, and blue (RGB) channels of the chromatic aberration occurrence region, a chroma signal processing unit which removes chromatic aberration in the chromatic aberration occurrence region, and a purple fringing removing unit which removes purple fringing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd., Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Eun-Cheol Choi, Jae-Cheol Lee, Moon-gi Kang, Hee Kang
  • Patent number: 8818088
    Abstract: Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., AOL Inc.
    Inventors: Keren O. Perlmutter, Sharon M. Perlmutter, Eric Wang, Paul R. Klamer, Christopher J. Cookson, Massimiliano Gasparri
  • Patent number: 8818090
    Abstract: A color processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit that obtains a first color signal from outside, a converting unit that converts the first color signal obtained by the obtaining unit into a second color signal based on a viewing condition, and a generating unit that generates a third color signal on the basis of the first color signal obtained by the obtaining unit and the second color signal obtained through conversion performed by the converting unit, the third color signal being an input signal that is used for a color gamut mapping process of performing mapping to a color gamut of an output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasunari Kishimoto
  • Publication number: 20140233850
    Abstract: The method of the invention comprises: obtaining a sequence of at least two images, with different levels of illumination; extracting the region containing the sign in the image; calculating the luminance values of the signs; and obtaining the difference in luminance of the sign corresponding to the two levels of illumination. The value obtained is the luminance of the sign (11) corresponding to an illumination equal to the difference between the illuminations, or additional illumination. This result is based on the additive property of luminance, according to which the luminance of a sign is the sum of the luminance produced by each source of illumination. A basic illumination device (5), an additional illumination device (7), at least one camera for taking images, and image recording, positioning and synchronism systems are required to implement the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: DBI/CIDAUT Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Francisco Javier Burgoa Roman, Jose Antonio Gutierrez Mendez, Alberto Mansilla Gallo, Diego Ortiz de Lejarazu Machin, Alberto Senen Perales Garcia
  • Patent number: 8811730
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising accessing a first pixel that is neighboring to a second pixel of an image, the first pixel including a plurality of color fields, each color field of the plurality of color fields associated with a respective color plane, wherein the second pixel is to be processed as a target pixel; quantizing the plurality of color fields to generate a corresponding plurality of quantized color fields, wherein said quantizing the plurality of color fields is based on a contribution of individual color planes of the plurality of color planes towards an intensity of the image; and processing the target pixel based at least in part on the plurality of quantized color fields. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian S. Watson, Jay McDougal
  • Patent number: 8811728
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus uses an estimation operator to estimate a spectroscopic property. The image processing apparatus includes an effect extent analyzing unit which analyzes, based on the estimation operator, a relative extent of an effect on the spectroscopic property against a noise in a wavelength axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 8811733
    Abstract: A method of processing digital images by transforming a set of pixels from a three-dimensional space to a normalized two-dimensional space, determining a membership class and membership class level of each pixel in the set of pixels, and selectively modifying colors of pixels in the set of pixels based on the determined membership classes and membership class levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Filippo Naccari, Arcangelo Ranieri Bruna, Alfio Castorina
  • Patent number: 8811729
    Abstract: In a method of chromagenic illuminant estimation pixels from mutually-corresponding images with different filtering are compared, a fraction of the brightest pixels being selected for a subsequent chromagenic estimation. The pixels may be at corresponding locations or they may correspond in that their mean brightness is in the same rank order. In one method, in which, in a first preprocessing stage, for a database of m lights Ei(?) and n surfaces Sj(?) there is calculated Ti˜QFQ+ where Q1F and QF represent the matrices of unfiltered and filtered sensor responses to the n surfaces under the i th light and + denotes an inverse, and in a second operation stage, given P surfaces in an image and 3×P matrices Q and QF, from these matrices there are chosen the r % brightest pixels giving the matrices Q? and Q?F, and the scene illuminant Pest is estimated where formula (I) and (II).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Graham D. Finlayson, Clement Fredembach
  • Patent number: 8810593
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for analyzing data. In one aspect, a mixer server receives a request for a visualization of television reporting data, translates the request for the visualization of the television reporting data into sharded requests, and provides each sharded request to a respective shard server. Each shard server processes a respective proper subset of the television reporting data to generate data representing the visualization, and provides the data representing the visualization to the mixer server. The mixer server aggregates the data representing the visualizations received from each of the shard servers, and provides the aggregated data representing the visualization as a response to the request for the visualization of the television reporting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Gildfind
  • Patent number: 8805060
    Abstract: A color conversion device which converts an image signal in a first color space into an image signal in a second color space corresponding to an image output unit includes: a color conversion table storing unit which stores a color conversion table storing color conversion data used for converting an image signal corresponding to a plurality of lattice points in a third color space having a color range containing the color range of the second color space into the image signal in the second color space; a first color conversion unit which converts the image signal in the first color space into the image signal in the third color space; and a second color conversion unit which converts the image signal in the third color space into the image signal in the second color space based on the color conversion data stored in the color conversion table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kanai
  • Patent number: 8805066
    Abstract: An automated, computerized method is provided for processing an image. The method includes the steps of providing an image file depicting an image, in a computer memory, performing an image segregation operation on the image file to generate a set of intrinsic images corresponding to the image, modifying a preselected one of the set of intrinsic images according to a set of preselected operations and merging the modified one of the set of intrinsic images relative to the set of intrinsic images to provide a modified output image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mark Friedhoff, Casey Arthur Smith, Bruce Allen Maxwell, Neil Alldrin, Steven Joseph Bushell, Timothy King Rodgers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8805998
    Abstract: A method of matching sources to loads includes receiving load activity data and source activity data corresponding to samples of activity over a time period at a plurality of loads and a plurality of sources, respectively. The method of matching sources to loads further includes scoring similarity between the load activity and the source activity based on the load activity data and the source activity data, and matching loads to sources based on the scoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Luis R. Pereira
  • Patent number: 8805067
    Abstract: A feature descriptor extracting method in a feature descriptor extracting apparatus is provided. The feature descriptor extracting method involves receiving an image from which a feature descriptor will be extracted, extracting a point at which a change in a pixel statistical value of the image is large as a feature point, and extracting a patch centered on the feature point, blocking the patch to calculate a statistical value of each of a plurality of patch blocks, calculating a morphological gradient by using a statistical value of the block-converted patch, and extracting a feature descriptor by using the morphological gradient in consideration of required feature descriptor complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Keun-Dong Lee, Sang Il Na, Weon-Geun Oh, Sung-Kwan Je, Hyuk Jeong
  • Patent number: 8805063
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and compensating for a backlight frame are provided. The method includes receiving data regarding a current frame comprising pixels that are expressed by a luminance component and one or more chrominance components; and determining whether the current frame is a backlight frame based on values of the one or more chrominance components of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-jun Park, Seong-wook Han
  • Patent number: 8803985
    Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus including an HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing unit inputting images picked up while exposure control that changes an exposure time is being carried out with a predetermined spatial period and a predetermined temporal period on pixels that compose an image sensor, and carrying out image processing. The HDR processing unit generates a first combined image by combining pixel values of a plurality of images with different sensitivities generated by an interpolation process using a plurality of consecutively picked-up images, generates a second combined image by combining pixel values of a plurality of images with different sensitivities generated by an interpolation process that uses a single picked-up image, and generates an HDR image by executing a pixel value blending process on the first combined image and the second combined image in accordance with a blending ratio calculated in accordance with movement detection information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shun Kaizu, Tomoo Mitsunaga, Yasushi Saito, Masanori Kasai
  • Patent number: 8805062
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an influence value setting unit that sets an influence value on a pixel of interest in a local region of an image, the influence value being a color difference in the local region, and a color region processing unit that treats the pixel of interest as a pixel in a region of a representative color when a color of the pixel of interest is within a range from the representative color to the threshold value, the threshold value being set such that the threshold value increases as the influence value increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Itoh
  • Patent number: 8805061
    Abstract: A dedicated base vector based on a known spectral characteristic of a subject as an identification target having the known spectral characteristic and a spectral characteristic of an imaging system, which includes a spectral characteristic concerning a color imaging system used for image acquisition of subjects including the subject as the identification target and a spectral characteristic concerning illumination light used when image acquisition of the subjects by the color imaging system, are acquired. A weighting factor concerning the dedicated base vector is calculated based on an image signal obtained by image acquisition of the subject by the color imaging system, the dedicated has vector, and the spectral characteristic of the imaging system. An identification result of the subject which is the identification target having the known spectral characteristic is calculated based on the weighting factor concerning the dedicated base vector to output as an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Tsuruoka
  • Patent number: 8803765
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus sequentially provides a display device with a plurality of image output including a first image, a second image set to become at least a part of an image that is not correlated with the first image when luminance values of pixels of the first image are added to it, and a third image set to become an image, which is obtained by adding luminance values of pixels of all pluralities of images, higher spatial-frequency components than those of the first image. The image processing apparatus has an optical shutter control unit for controlling an optical shutter provided between the display device and a viewer to make the shutter be in a light transmission state while a part of or all the first image is displayed, and in a light interception state while other images are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Daigo Miyasaka, Masao Imai
  • Patent number: 8803903
    Abstract: A color space determination device may include a sampling configuration unit and determination unit. The sampling configuration unit may be configured to determine a sampling ratio and a sampling number based on a resolution of input video data, the sampling ratio being a ratio of a number of the input video data to be sampled to a total number of the input video data included in a frame, the sampling number being a number of frames to be sampled. The determination unit may be configured to receive the input video data in units of frames, to sample the input video data with the sampling ratio for each of the sampling number of frames, and to generate a color space signal representing a color space of the input video data based on the sampled input video data that are sampled from the sampling number of frames of the input video data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hyun Lee, Hong-Mi Choi, Taek-Kyun Shin
  • Patent number: 8798360
    Abstract: A method of stitching an image to combine at least a first image and a second image in a digital image processing apparatus includes obtaining matching areas of the first image and the second image where the second image overlaps the first image, and changing gradations of an entire area of the second image to make a representative gradation of the matching area of the first image the same as a representative gradation of the matching area of the second image, wherein a change rate in changing at least one of the gradations of the entire area of the second image is set according to a level of a gradation of the second image before the changing the gradations of the entire area of the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soon-min Bae
  • Patent number: 8798364
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. A plurality of target blur radii are obtained by calculating blur radiuses corresponding to the out of focus transform function between a deblurred datum color channel image and the other color channel images. A plurality of deblurred color channel images are obtained by respectively performing deblurring operations on the original channel images according to the target blur radii that are corresponding to the original channel images. The deblurred datum color channel image and the deblurred color channel images are combined to obtain a blur calibrated image. Accordingly, the image out of focus problem induced by dispersion can be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: VIA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Fei Zhu, Chu-Yang Hong, Guo-Feng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8798361
    Abstract: A method and system for mapping colors of an image. The method including the steps of: segmenting an image into a plurality of regions, so that pixels in each of the plurality of regions have a characteristic that meets a predetermined similarity; determining an initial contrast between adjacent regions in the plurality of regions; and transforming an initial color of each of the plurality of regions into a target color; where a target contrast between the adjacent regions in the plurality of regions is equal to or greater than the initial contrast or a difference between the target contrast and corresponding initial contrast is less than a predetermined threshold; and where at least one of the steps is carried out by a computer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sheng Hua Bao, Jian Chen, Zhong Su, Xin Ying Yang
  • Patent number: 8791967
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a display apparatus includes a light modulating unit, a light source unit, a luminance setting unit, a luminance distribution calculating unit, a signal level converting unit, and a control unit. The light source unit includes a basic light source and an extended light source illuminating each of divisional areas into which the display area tentatively divided. The basic light source emits white light with first emission peak wavelengths. The extended light source emits light with a second emission peak wavelength being different from the first emission peak wavelengths and being within a range between shortest and longest wavelengths of the first emission peak wavelengths. The control unit is configured to generate a control signal controlling the basic light source and the extended light source so as to provide a period in which the basic light source and the extended light source simultaneously emit light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masahiro Baba, Ryosuke Nonaka, Yuma Sano
  • Patent number: 8792147
    Abstract: A method of determining calibration test patterns to be utilized to calibrate a model for simulating the imaging performance of an optical imaging system. The method includes the steps of defining a model equation representing the imaging performance of the optical imaging system; transforming the model equation into a plurality of discrete functions; identifying a calibration pattern for each of the plurality of discrete functions, where each calibration pattern corresponding to one of the plurality of discrete functions being operative for manipulating the one of the plurality of discrete functions during a calibration process; and storing the calibration test patterns identified as corresponding to the plurality of discrete functions. The calibration test patterns are then utilized to calibrate the model for simulating the imaging performance of an optical imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Edita Tejnil
  • Patent number: 8792743
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus that can be applied to a wide range of general images and that is capable of improving shitsukan of materials depicted in an image by interactively adjusting multiple physical image characteristics of an image based on human latent sensations. Physical image-characteristic parameters are extracted from an input image. The image-characteristic parameters are processed using a first numerical conversion equation, and various low-order-sensitivity parameters quantifying general latent sensations are calculated. The low-order-sensitivity parameters are processed using a second numerical conversion equation, and high-order-sensitivity parameters quantifying shitsukan for different materials are calculated. An output image of which the shitsukan in the input image are improved by combining various types of image processing for changing the image characteristics so that the high-order-sensitivity parameters approach predetermined values is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Komatsu, Takashi Kawai, Jun-ichi Machida
  • Patent number: 8792134
    Abstract: Conventional calibration patches are designed such that gradation values of the patches are determined, based on the overall length of a trajectory of a monochrome ink color in an L*a*b* space, so that distances between patches become uniform, and therefore provide low interpolation accuracy in a region where measurement values change non-linearly in accordance with the change in gradation. According to the present invention, gradation values of patches to be used for color calibration are determined so that the patches are closely arranged in a region where measurement values change non-linearly in accordance with the change in gradation. Thus, interpolation accuracy can be improved in a region where measurement values change non-linearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuki Omagari, Mitsuru Uratani, Yuki Ishida, Yutaka Hiyama, Masaaki Obayashi
  • Patent number: 8791953
    Abstract: A method of adjusting value includes calculating a value of saturation from an input image signal, and adjusting a value of value of the input image signal according to a calculated saturation value. In the method, the value of value of the input image signal is adjusted by using a value adjustment algorithm for determining a value adjustment rate that decreases the value according to the saturation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyung-dal Kwon, Dong-yul Lee, See-wook Park, Yoon-kyung Choi, Hwa-hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 8791954
    Abstract: Image data systems and methods combine a plurality of images into a single multiple-palette image data file, or generate a selected image from the multiple-palette image data file. An exemplary embodiment receives first pixel information for a first pixel of a first image, the first pixel having a first color; receives second pixel information for a like-located second pixel of a second image, the second pixel having a second color; and specifies a color palette location value that identifies a first color palette array element in a first color palette of the first image and identifies a second like-located color palette array element in a second color palette of the second image. First color information stored in the first color palette array element defines the first pixel color. Second color information stored in the second image data color palette array element defines the second pixel color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joshua Engelbert, Bill Ivanich
  • Patent number: 8792706
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for determining an orientation direction of a color edge at a given pixel location in a binary color image. The orientation direction of the color edge is determined from eight pixel counts with each pixel count being a total number of pixels in each of eight regions of a window centered about a candidate pixel which resides along the color edge. The eight regions are associated with 8 compass points. The orientation of the edge is determined by a 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier control bits which are based upon the pixel counts of each region. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd tier control bits collectively form a 3-bit word. The 3-bit word defines the orientation direction. The teachings hereof provide an efficient way of performing binary edge orientation detection by making uses of intermediate results to simultaneously encode the edge orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Xing Li, Meng Yao, Barbara L. Farrell
  • Patent number: 8787666
    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 file depicting an image, in a computer memory, determining intrinsic component information as a function of spatio-spectral information for the image, and calculating analytical information, as a function of the intrinsic component information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Tandent Vision Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Mark Friedhoff, Casey Arthur Smith, Bruce Allen Maxwell
  • Patent number: 8787658
    Abstract: Methods of image segmentation using reduced foreground training data are described. In an embodiment, the foreground and background training data for use in segmentation of an image is determined by optimization of a modified energy function. The modified energy function is the energy function used in image segmentation with an additional term comprising a scalar value. The optimization is performed for different values of the scalar to produce multiple initial segmentations and one of these segmentations is selected based on pre-defined criteria. The training data is then used in segmenting the image. In other embodiments further methods are described: one places an ellipse inside the user-defined bounding box to define the background training data and another uses a comparison of properties of neighboring image elements, where one is outside the user-defined bounding box, to reduce the foreground training data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Carsten Curt Eckard Rother, Toby Sharp, Andrew Blake, Vladimir Kolmogorov
  • Patent number: 8786665
    Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: LifeSize Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Binu Kaiparambil Shanmukhadas, Ashish Goyal, Raphael Anuar
  • Patent number: 8787661
    Abstract: A portion within an image in which a plurality of objects (21 and 22) overlap is partitioned into a plurality of small regions (31a and 32a), each of the units of identification information for the plurality of objects (21 and 22) is assigned to a dot corresponding to the plurality of small regions (31a and 32a), and thereby, identification-use layout information is generated, whereby even if a plurality of objects overlap upon a layout of a display image, upon the layout of the identification-use layout information that has been generated for identifying the plurality of objects, the identification information corresponding to each object does not overlap. As a result, it is possible to identify each object by the identification information acquired from the position of the cursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Wingarcist Inc.
    Inventors: Ko Shimazawa, Jun Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8787665
    Abstract: An image processing device may create corrected image data by correcting target image data. The image processing device may determine a representative value which represents specific pixels in the object image data, determine a target value based on the representative value and a degree of correction designated by a user, and correct a value of each particular pixel included in the object image data such that the value of the each particular pixel approaches the target value. The each particular pixel may be included in a surrounding area of the representative value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Kondo
  • Patent number: 8787667
    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: July 22, 2014
    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: 8786922
    Abstract: In one embodiment, computer readable instructions for: displaying together in a single display a group of user selectable icons each representing a discrete color scheme for printing an image; and then, in direct response to a user selecting one of the icons, displaying a color preview of the image as the image will appear when printed with the selected color scheme. In another embodiment, computer readable instructions for: allowing a user to select a color scheme, which selects a first color profile; allowing the user to select a printer, which selects a second color profile; identifying a third color profile for a display device; transforming image source data into image print data using the first and second color profiles; transforming the image print data into image display data using the second and third color profiles; and displaying the image on the display device using the image display data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Randall G. Guay
  • Patent number: 8786623
    Abstract: An image processor that corrects an image signal, includes: a brightness component correction amount calculating section that calculates the amount of correction of a brightness component of the image signal only for an image signal in a predetermined brightness level range of a predetermined spatial frequency band; and a brightness component correcting section that corrects the brightness component of the image signal by using the amount of correction calculated by the brightness component correction amount calculating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kanai
  • Patent number: 8786904
    Abstract: Color gamuts of output images based on image output methods of plural image output apparatuses and output media are stored. Plural sets of color reference data for associating a color gamut of the image output request apparatus with color gamuts of output images of the image output apparatuses are stored. It is determined whether an output of image data from the image output request apparatus by one of the image output apparatuses is possible. When it is not possible, another one of the image output apparatuses is determined. A preview image and image data for outputting are generated corresponding to the determined one of the image output apparatuses based on the image data, the profile information of the determined one of the image output apparatuses and the color reference data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Miyahara