Abstract: An apparatus detects an area specified based on a mark of a specific color out of three primary colors in pigment or three primary colors in light from an image. An other-color-information eliminating unit eliminates information of other colors from a tone level of the specific color by correcting the tone level of the specific color based on tone levels of two colors other than the specific color out of the three primary colors in pigment or the three primary colors in light. An area detecting unit detects the area by specifying the mark based on the tone level from which the information of other colors is eliminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imager pixel signals to reduce noise. The processing includes receiving a target pixel signal, receiving at least one neighboring pixel signal, formulating a dynamic noise signal based at least in part on a value of the target pixel signal, and controlling a noise reduction operation using the dynamic noise signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding an image is disclosed. A decomposition circuit comprises a set of pixel filters used to identify picture pixels, background pixels and text pixels of the image. An image encoding circuit comprises a lossy discrete transform encoder for encoding the picture pixels, a constant color lossless encoder for encoding the background pixels, and a discrete color lossless encoder for encoding the text pixels.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a video camera that can be configured to highly compress video data in a visually lossless manner. The camera can be configured to transform blue and red image data in a manner that enhances the compressibility of the data. The data can then be compressed and stored in this form. This allows a user to reconstruct the red and blue data to obtain the original raw data for a modified version of the original raw data that is visually lossless when demosacied. Additionally, the data can be processed in a manner in which the green image elements are demosaiced first and then the red and blue elements are reconstructed based on values of the demosaiced green image elements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for image compression and decompression using sub-resolution images are disclosed. Compressing of images includes, determining a plurality of entropy code sets based upon statistically similar regions in the input image, generating one or more sub-resolution images including a first sub-resolution image comprising the plurality of entropy code sets, encoding the input image using the generated one or more sub-resolution images to control one or more compression parameters including an entropy code, and outputting the encoded input image and the generated one or more sub-resolution images as a compressed entropy coded image file.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for reducing the bit depth of grayscale imagery using multi-bit halftoning. The halftoned image data may be lossy or losslessly compressed and stored in memory or transmitted over a communication channel. At the time of printing, the images are decompressed and reconstructed to a grayscale image data using Sigma filtering to preserve edges. Preferably, different Sigma filters may be applied based on contrast information within a local neighborhood region. Fuzzy edge detection may also be used to preserve edge features and prevent smearing.

Abstract: Provided are bitmap based trapping methods, apparatus and systems. According to one exemplary method, black trapping color image data is performed by estimating the continuous tone values associated with non-black pixels near a qualified black pixel and subsequently, the estimated continuous tone values are halftoned at the qualified black pixel locations and ORed with the original bitmap data.

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, generating an approximate intrinsic estimate representation of the image as an intrinsic image corresponding to the image, and compressing the intrinsic image to provide a compressed intrinsic image.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with increasing face detection speed are described. One example method includes determining whether to control a face detection process to selectively perform a face detection in a patch in a digital image. The face detection may be based, at least in part, on determining whether the patch overlaps a face previously identified by the face detection process. The example method may also include providing a signal to control the face detection process to perform the face detection upon determining that a patch overlap does not exceed an overlap factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a dynamic re-configuration with a DFE imager and caching modules to optimize RIP performance by analyzing pages within the job that collect page with job heuristics and statistics. Enabling the functionality to assess the information, thereby re-configuring a digital printer's imager and caching module dynamically during the job RIP to achieve improved overall RIP performance. Accordingly, a system collects and assesses job statistics across multiple jobs to enable optimum performance over time.

Abstract: A system for providing stitched video from a first camera and a second camera to an electronic display system includes a processing circuit configured to associate a view a first camera with an approximate location. The processing circuit is further configured to build relationship data between the first camera and a second camera using the approximate location. The processing circuit is further configured to transform video from the first camera relative to video from the second camera, the transformation based on the relationship data. The processing circuit is further configured to use the transformed video to cause the stitched video to be provided to the electronic display system.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for DRAM 2D video word formatting. In one aspect of the invention, words of data in a DRAM may be arranged for optimal DRAM operating efficiency. The data organization may utilize a 2-dimensional array of samples, for example. In one embodiment of the invention, a 128-bit or 16-byte word or GWord of DRAM may include an 8×2 array of luma samples, comprising 8 horizontal samples and 2 vertical samples from one field, for example. In this regard, either both may be even lines or both may be odd lines. Various other 2-dimensional arrangements may be chosen according to the demands of the video format being processed in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods, systems, and apparatus for improved data compression. In one embodiment, a method is provided that separates image data by color channels and ordered bit planes. The method includes arranging bytes representing pixel values from a source image into corresponding color channels. Bits in each color channel are separated into a plurality of bit planes that are ordered based on significance. Then, the method may combine bits associated with adjacent pixel locations from common bit planes into new bytes. Once the image data is separated in this way, different compression processes are applied to data sets represented in the ordered bit planes.

Abstract: During compressing an image at the compression processing section (image compressing apparatus), the color image processing apparatus detects edge of text and/or line art, generates the foreground layer represented by binary image for showing the detected edge, compresses the foreground layer with lossless compression, and compresses the background layer which is an image except the foreground layer with lossy compression. Furthermore, the color image processing apparatus sets the foreground layer color different from a color of text or line art, and provides information representing the set color into the compression file. As the set color, the color image processing apparatus utilizes the overall color representative for whole region of the image, or the text-vicinity color in the image. The edge region of the text and/or line art are represented with such the set color on the reproduced image based on the compression file.

Abstract: A decoding device decodes coded image data having a plurality of color components and includes a variable length decoding unit that performs variable length decoding on the coded image data to generate variable length decoded data. A separation unit separates the plurality of color components to a predetermined number of color components, and obtains, from the variable length decoded data generated by the variable length decoding unit, each of pieces of data to be decoded in decoding processes, as necessary data required in at least one of decoding processes, and the decoding processes each corresponding to a corresponding component of the predetermined number of color components. Each of the image reconstruction units corresponds to a corresponding component of the predetermined number of color components, and generates, in parallel, decoded images regarding the respective components using the necessary data obtained by the separation unit.

Abstract: An image processing method according to the present invention is contrived to change the gradation level (of the color component corresponding to the complementary color of yellow) for a pixel within a zone located on a corner of a rectangular image so as to maximize the difference between the gradation level of a pixel that is a processing target and the gradation level of a pixel in a background area in the surrounding area of the pixel that is the processing target, that is, lowering the gradation level. This means the pixel that is a result of applying the process for changing the gradation levels looks yellowish. The human eye has difficulty in recognizing yellow and therefore the change applied to the pixel is inconspicuous as compared to the case of placing a mark or frame on the outside of a rectangular zone.

Abstract: A 3D graphics rendering pipeline is used to carry out data comparisons for motion estimation in video data encoding. Video data for the pixel block of the video frame currently being encoded is loaded into the output buffers of the rendering pipeline. The video data for the comparison pixel blocks from the reference video frame is stored as texture map values in the texture cache of the rendering pipeline. Once the sets of pixel data for comparison have been stored, the rendering pipeline is controlled to render a primitive having fragment positions and texture coordinates corresponding to the data values that it is desired to compare. As each fragment is rendered, the stored and rendered fragment data is compared by fragment compare unit and the determined differences in the data values are accumulated in an error term register.

Abstract: A method of and system for enhanced storage allows more data to be backed up than would otherwise be possible. Instead of storing uncompressed base images and incremental images, differentials of non-current base images are compressed and stored. Furthermore, incremental images that are older than the current base image are removed. By only saving differential base images that are compressed, aside from the newest base image, and deleting older incremental images, a significant amount of space is saved. A removable drive is used as temporary storage in the process of generating a compressed differential base for previous base images. Additionally, a process ensures that previous base images are differentials of the most recent base image and not each other.

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.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling color output includes receiving a document containing a color image, producing a first output copy of the document using a first color processing path, receiving at least one natural language request to adjust the color output of the device, adjusting the color output of the device, and producing a second output copy of the document. The method and system further includes presenting natural language descriptions of the effects of color processing paths with or without sample palettes to the user either to solicit a suggestion from the user or present the user with choices based upon the natural language request received.

Abstract: An image in which at least one color component among a plurality of color components in an input color image has a resolution lower than that of the other color components is held as a base image. A rectangular region that includes an object image is extracted, a region of the object image and a region of a background image are specified in the rectangular region, and fill-up processing of the specified object image is executed in the base image. Fill-up processing executed at a boundary between the object image and the base image differs from fill-up processing executed at a boundary between the object image and the background image.

Abstract: Psychovisual image compression techniques are disclosed that compress pixel data by a fixed compression ratio with little or no perceptual loss of detail. In some implementations, a psychovisual compression process is selected among several psychovisual compression processes based on characteristics of the pixel data. Compression is achieved during encoding by discarding psychovisually unnecessary bits from the pixel data. The psychovisual compression processes can be implemented in hardware and operate on scan lines of pixels captured by the image sensor. The psychovisual compression techniques can be used with image compression techniques to compress further the pixel data.

Abstract: A Hybrid Compressor and method of compressing a tile of pixels within an image are disclosed. An Edge Processor of the Hybrid Compressor analyzes pixel runs of the tile and generates boundary data defining one or more regions comprising pixels of substantially identical color. A Palette Processor of the Hybrid Compressor generates data defining a color value for each region. An Image Processor of the Hybrid Compressor generates a representation of pixels not included in the one or more regions.

Abstract: A television display system including a display system controller, a transmitter, and an integrated timing controller. The display system controller receives pixel data and pixel timing and control data, and responsive to a pixel data format corresponding to a selected communication standard of a plurality of communication standards that includes LVDS and at least one of RSDS and mini-LVDS, provides formatted pixel data formatted according to the pixel data format of the selected communication standard. The transmitter receives the formatted pixel data, and transmits the formatted pixel data for receipt according to a pixel data rate corresponding to the selected communication standard.

Abstract: A tile image including a predetermined number of pixels (e.g., 32×32 pixels) is divided into blocks (pieces) of a size of 2×2 pixels each to compare color data of each pixel in each piece. A pattern flag indicating an arrangement pattern of the color data contained in each piece is identified, and first color data and color data other than the first color data in each piece are identified, where the first color data is color data corresponding to a pixel at a predetermined position in each piece. If it is determined that all the pieces, except for a piece consisting of the same color, included in the tile image consist of the same color, the two colors are set to representative colors for reference in the tile image.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to encode and decode image data comprising a tone mapped (TM) image with HDR reconstruction data in the form of luminance ratios and color residual values. In an example embodiment, luminance ratio values and residual values in color channels of a color space are generated on an individual pixel basis based on a high dynamic range (HDR) image and a derivative tone-mapped (TM) image that comprises one or more color alterations that would not be recoverable from the TM image with a luminance ratio image. The TM image with HDR reconstruction data derived from the luminance ratio values and the color-channel residual values may be outputted in an image file to a downstream device, for example, for decoding, rendering, and/or storing. The image file may be decoded to generate a restored HDR image free of the color alterations.

Abstract: A method of fixed bit-rate image compression/decompression based on 2×2 image unit encodes an image that is divided into a plurality of 2×2 coding units. The method determines whether a 2×2 coding unit has one of first to seven man-made patterns. When the 2×2 coding unit has one of the first to seven man-made patterns, a differential error encoding and a quantization and look-up are performed on the 2×2 coding unit for generating a first coded data. Otherwise, the 2×2 coding unit is a natural pattern, and the method sequentially performs a color domain transform, a discrete cosine transform, and a quantization and look-up on the 2×2 coding unit for generating a second coded data.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus that processes image data in units of blocks, each block having a predetermined number of pixels, a number of pixels in the block whose pixel values are different is calculated. A predetermined pattern for the block is specified in accordance with the calculated number of pixels whose pixel values are different and the locations of the different pixels, and the image data is compressed by outputting the specified pattern and the pixel values of only the number of pixels whose pixel values are different. It is then determined whether the image data is composed of a single color based on the output pattern and the pixel values.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A system and method for image file compression method are provided. The method for compressing an image file, to which data corresponding to a plurality of different color channels for each pixel are assigned, includes reconstructing the image file so that pieces of data corresponding to the same color channel from among pieces of data corresponding to different color channels of each pixel are consecutively arranged, and compressing the reconstructed image file by applying a frequency compression scheme to the image file.

Abstract: Provided is an image processing apparatus including a receiving unit that receives a point sequence image, a point-plane conversion unit that performs a point-plane conversion processing for the image received by the receiving unit, plural lossy encoding units that perform a lossy encoding processing for the point-plane conversion image by using the point-plane conversion unit, and a control unit that performs control such that transmission of the image to the lossy encoding unit from the point-plane conversion unit is controlled to synchronize lossy encoding processings of the plural lossy encoding units, and each lossy encoding unit changes processing variables used in the encoding processing based on a code amount of the processing result of the lossy encoding unit.

Abstract: A foreground layer generating unit generates a foreground layer on the basis of a foreground mask generated by a foreground mask generating unit and an original image. A binary image processing unit generates N binary images corresponding to N kinds of foreground identifiers on the basis of the foreground layer, and sets a plurality of tiles for each of the N binary images. Further, the binary image processing unit determines whether or not adjacent tiles are to be merged, and then sets tiles obtained by merging tiles determined to be merged, and leaving tiles determined not to be merged as they are. An image compressing unit cuts out rectangular regions from the individual set tiles by employing the binary images, and compresses the rectangular regions.

Abstract: Hybrid image format techniques are described in which multiple resolution images are concatenated to a standard bitmap image to create a hybrid image file. The hybrid image file is created through combining a relatively low resolution image with the additional images in a multi-frame format having higher resolution. The hybrid image file may contain data detectable to signal that higher resolution images are available in the hybrid image file. A hybrid aware application may be configured to detect and output a higher resolution image from the hybrid image file based on detection of the data. A legacy application that is not configured to detect the data may be unaware of higher resolution images contained in the hybrid image file, and accordingly outputs the relatively low resolution image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imager pixel signals to reduce noise. The processing includes receiving a target pixel signal, receiving at least one neighboring pixel signal, formulating a dynamic noise signal based at least in part on a value of the target pixel signal, and controlling a noise reduction operation using the dynamic noise signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video encoder and corresponding method for encoding video data for an image block. The video encoder performs a mode decision by performing initial motion estimation on only a subset of possible block sizes to output motion information corresponding thereto, and determining, based upon the motion information corresponding to only the subset of possible of block sizes and upon other image-related analysis data, whether other block sizes are to be evaluated.

Abstract: A compressive coding device converts three color components of pixel data from the RGB presentation to the YCbCr presentation according to a mapping rule. Converted pixel data are subsequently subjected to irreversible compressive coding, thus producing compressive coded data. Pixel data ascribed to transparency control are converted to a prescribed value out of a mapping range according to the mapping rule. Compressive coded data are supplied to a visual display control device, in which they are decoded and reproduced into original pixel data of the first color presentation. Compressive coded data corresponding to pixel data ascribed to transparency control are rendered with a prescribed color in the RGB presentation which is designated as transparency in advance or not rendered on screen. Thus, it is possible to precisely perform the transparency control without causing a reduction of the compression factor regardless of the irreversible compressive coding and decoding.

Abstract: An image input/output control apparatus includes a control device for controlling input/output of image data with an external apparatus, plural image processing devices for performing predetermined image processes to the image data, and plural data transfer devices for connecting each of the plural image processing devices and the control device like a ring and performing data transfer among them. The plural image processing devices and the control device are composed respectively on different units, whereby the structure of the apparatus can be easily changed, and a decrease in processing speed due to the competition for buses can be reduced without increasing the number of parts necessary for bus control.

Abstract: A system for controlling a printed dynamic optical illusion image, comprising: an item including a printed optical illusion image having one or more mutable portions that can be controllably switched between first and second appearance states by application of an appropriate external stimulus; a stimulus source for providing the external stimulus; and a controller for controlling the stimulus source. The printed optical illusion image is printed on a printing device using a plurality of colorants, one or more of the colorants being appearance mutable colorants having spectral characteristics that can be controllably switched between a first colorant state and a second colorant state by applying the appropriate external stimulus, the one or more mutable portions of the optical illusion image being printed using at least one appearance mutable colorant.

Abstract: An example provides a system and method of robust alignment and payload recovery for data-bearing images. The method includes digitizing a printed version of a stegatone, computing the transformation parameters of the stegatone, and processing individual local regions of the stegatone to determine local transformation parameters. The method also includes performing an alignment evaluation to compute a metric value that represents the quality of a local alignment between a reference halftone and the stegatone. Further, the method includes selecting alignment parameters based on optimization of the metric value, mapping the shift of clustered-dots in each cell in comparison to the reference halftone, and recovering the payload by decoding the stegatone.

Abstract: A multi-layered speech recognition apparatus and method, the apparatus includes a client checking whether the client recognizes the speech using a characteristic of speech to be recognized and recognizing the speech or transmitting the characteristic of the speech according to a checked result; and first through N-th servers, wherein the first server checks whether the first server recognizes the speech using the characteristic of the speech transmitted from the client, and recognizes the speech or transmits the characteristic according to a checked result, and wherein an n-th (2?n?N) server checks whether the n-th server recognizes the speech using the characteristic of the speech transmitted from an (n?1)-th server, and recognizes the speech or transmits the characteristic according to a checked result.

Abstract: In a method of realism assessment of an image composite, the foreground and the background are transformed into a color space, such as YCbCr, followed by projecting the foreground and the background to a subspace represented by the axes representing chromatic information. The image composite is assessed in the projected subspace, according to linearity of color distributions of the foreground/the background, or according to distance between the color distributions of the foreground/the background and a center of the transformed color space.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards compressing an image to substantially a preset file size using statistical information obtained from a single subset of the image and an initial compression of the single subset. A representative subset portion of the image is selected based in part on a clustering analysis of the image. The representative subset is then compressed, in one embodiment, twice, in order to obtain statistics useable for the entire image. A scale factor is then determined that may be used in the quantization and for creating a Bit Rate Control (BRC) curve that represents an amount of accumulated bits per Minimal Codec Unit (MCU). During the compression process, the BRC curve is used to prevent accumulating bits from over shooting a final preset file size target.

Abstract: A multi-layered speech recognition apparatus and method, the apparatus includes a client checking whether the client recognizes the speech using a characteristic of speech to be recognized and recognizing the speech or transmitting the characteristic of the speech according to a checked result; and first through N-th servers, wherein the first server checks whether the first server recognizes the speech using the characteristic of the speech transmitted from the client, and recognizes the speech or transmits the characteristic according to a checked result, and wherein an n-th (2?n?N) server checks whether the n-th server recognizes the speech using the characteristic of the speech transmitted from an (n?1)-th server, and recognizes the speech or transmits the characteristic according to a checked result.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a partitions setting unit that sets up image partitions into which an input image is separated; a tone number setting unit that sets the number of tones for each of the image partitions set up by the partitions setting unit, based on gray levels of pixels included in each of the image partitions; and a conversion unit that converts each of the image partitions of the input image into an image partition represented with tones equal to or less than the number of tones set by the tone number setting unit.

Abstract: First and second codewords are determined, based on first feature vector components of the image elements in an image block, as representations of a first and second component value. Third and fourth codewords are determined, based on second vector components, as representations of a third and fourth component value. First N1 and second N2 resolution numbers are selected based on the relation of a distribution of the first vector components and a distribution of the second vector components. N1 additional component values are generated based on the first and second component values and N2 additional component values are generated based on the third and fourth component values. Component indices indicative of the generated component values are then provided for the different image elements.

Abstract: A sorting unit sorts a plurality of data sets of HP component having been processed by a decoding unit, selectively employing one of a first table corresponding to a first orientation of prediction and a second table corresponding to a second orientation of prediction in accordance with an orientation of prediction of HP component. The sorting unit includes an inverse prediction unit performing inverse prediction on data of LP component inputted from the decoding unit, a processing unit obtaining an orientation of prediction of HP component, based on the data of LP component after inverse prediction by the inverse prediction unit, and a selecting unit selecting one of the first and second tables, based on the orientation of prediction of HP component obtained by the processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing apparatus which able to shorten processing time and includes an image inputting unit that inputs an image, a region division unit that generates region information by dividing an input image input by the image inputting unit into regions having a plurality of different types of attributes, including a frame region attribute, a non-frame region processing unit that obtains data of respective regions other than frame regions by applying attribute-specific processing for respective regions, excluding frame regions, included in the input image on the basis of the input image and the region information, and executes processing of filling of the processed regions, and a frame region processing unit that executes reduction processing and vectorization processing for the frame region according to the region size of the frame region.

Abstract: An image encoding system and an image encoding method are provided. The image encoding system comprises a relation computing unit and an embedded unit. The relation computing unit receives a plurality of view-angle images each comprising a plurality of pixels, and calculates a relative relationship between pixels according to their colors and locations of the pixels to generate a plurality of encoding images. The embedded unit respectively embeds the encoding images in the view-angle images to generate a plurality of embedded images.

Abstract: A method of processing a continuous tone image includes using a halftone screen to generate a bi-level bitmap; partitioning the contone image into an array of image blocks; halftoning the image blocks; using the bi-level bitmap to select some of the halftone image blocks; and modifying the selected halftone image blocks using code words, such that information contained in the code words is embedded in a halftone image. A method of extracting embedded information in a halftone image includes accessing a bi-level bit map; partitioning the halftone image into a plurality of image blocks; using the bitmap to select at least some of the blocks; identifying a code word sequence in the selected blocks; and extracting the information from the code word sequence.

Abstract: A method for performing indexing in an image decoder. The method includes identifying a tile in an image, wherein the image comprises a plurality of tiles, and wherein each tile includes color data associated with a plurality of pixels. The method includes asymmetrically providing a plurality of indices throughout the tile. The method includes identifying a pixel in the tile. The method also includes determining a corresponding rectangular grid that includes the pixel, wherein the corresponding rectangular grid comprises at least one indices in a group of indices. The method includes determining an index for the pixel by bilinearly filtering the group of indices that is associated with the corresponding rectangular grid, wherein the filtering is performed in relation to the pixel.