Abstract: A method of increasing consistency between separate parametric measurement readings that are taken with an electron beam imaging tool at different times within a period of time, by correcting drift in the imaging tool at a time frequency that is less than a time period during which the drift is anticipated to be undesirably large.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are configured to provide data to generate and/or render (medical) images using medical volumetric data sets by electronically analyzing a medical volume data set associated with a patient that is automatically electronically divided into a plurality of local histograms having intensity value ranges associated therewith and programmatically generating at least one ?-histogram of data from the local histograms used for at least one of peak detection, transfer function design or adaptation, tissue detection or tissue classification.

Abstract: A Y histogram creation processing unit detects the signal level (luminance level) of the Y signal component of each pixel of a frame on the basis of YUV signals, and creates a histogram by totaling the number of pixels for each signal level. In this processing, a histogram is created by adding values weighted depending on whether a region in a predetermined range around each pixel includes a monotonous pattern. A histogram shape processing unit shapes the histogram. An input/output correction characteristic creation processing unit performs normalization by cumulative addition. A correction lookup table creation processing unit creates a lookup table on the basis of the input/output correction characteristic obtained by the input/output correction characteristic creation processing unit. A Y correction processing unit corrects a Y signal on the basis of the table.

Abstract: An image conversion method and an apparatus for converting a digital image obtained by a scanning unit into a converted digital image includes the steps of acquiring statistics for at least some pixels of the digital image, extracting characteristic values of a background color using the acquired statistics, operating a selection of pixels in the digital image, and converting the selected pixels. Each pixel in the digital image is sequentially set as a target pixel, and the selection of the target pixel depends on a representative color distance determined between a number of pixels located in a vicinity of the target pixel and the background color.

Abstract: A method of scoring Oestrogen and Progesterone Receptors expression (ER and PR) from histological images determines the percentage of brown image blob area in total blob area and derives percentage thresholds to quantify scoring. Brown blob area proportion is then compared with the thresholds to provide a first contribution to scoring of ER or PR. The number of relatively dark pixels is then counted, pixel number thresholds are determined to quantify scoring, and the number of relatively dark pixels is compared with the thresholds to provide a second contribution scoring of ER or PR. The two contributions are then added to provide an overall scoring in the range 0 to 8 which may be taken as a final score or it may be scaled to a conventional range 0 to 3.

Abstract: A method of automatic mapping of image data includes representing image data for an image as luminance values, determining a key value as a function of an average luminance value of the image and of minimum and maximum luminance values of the image, generating offset-adjusted luminance values including applying an offset to each of the luminance values, the offset being a function of the determined key value, and computing a tone reproduction curve for at least a region of the image which includes applying a mapping function to the offset-adjusted luminance values.

Abstract: A method of automatic mapping of image data includes representing image data for an image as luminance values, determining a key value as a function of an average luminance value of the image and of minimum and maximum luminance values of the image, generating offset-adjusted luminance values including applying an offset to each of the luminance values, the offset being a function of the determined key value, and computing a tone reproduction curve for at least a region of the image which includes applying a mapping function to the offset-adjusted luminance values.

Abstract: A histogram generating function generates a histogram by counting the number of pixels included in each tone for each tone of an input video signal. A peak luminance gain calculation function calculates the gain value of a peak luminance on the basis of the histogram. A tone conversion function calculation function generates a lookup table for obtaining an output tone by correcting an input tone on the basis of the histogram and the gain value, and records the table in a tone conversion lookup table storage unit. A tone-converted image generating function which executes the correction processing of correcting the tone of an input video signal on the basis of the tone conversion lookup table.

Abstract: A technique for generating high-resolution bitmaps from low-resolution bitmaps. A low-resolution bitmap is magnified to form a magnified image. Edge detection is performed on the magnified image to find high contrast edges. A plurality of image patches of the magnified image are generated. These images patches are analyzed by performing connected components analysis on each of them using the high contrast edges to produce a plurality of foreground and background decisions determining whether a portion of an image patch is a background or a foreground region. Then the contrast of one or more pixels in each of the plurality of image patches is enhanced based on the foreground and background decisions. Finally, the system and method of the invention combines the luminance of the enhanced output pixels with the color values generated by the magnification algorithm. This produces a high-resolution bitmap from the contrast-enhanced pixels.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for applying a dynamic contrast expansion technique to plasma display panels through performing a gamma conversion for the inputted image to convert the relationship of the brightness and gray level of the inputted image into a linear relation, performing a subtraction for the gray level value of the image to maintain the image at its smallest color deviation, analyzing the image property histogram to compute the maximum gray level and the minimum gray level required for carrying out the image contrast expansion and obtaining an image contrast expansion gain, and adopting an average of several previously inputted image contrast expansion gains and a current image contrast expansion gain as the contrast expansion gain used in the actual contrast expansion gain formula, so as to compute a new outputted gray level value after the image contrast expansion is performed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for performing an image search procedure in which a histogram calculator initially performs image analysis procedures to construct horizontal and vertical texture histograms corresponding to texture characteristics of subject images. A feature detector may then perform the image search procedure by comparing the texture histograms to identify one or more matching images in which texture characteristics are most similar.

Abstract: A method of image color tone correction is disclosed, which may include the steps of (a) providing a reference image and one or more source images, wherein all images are comprised of pixels of a scene; (b) correcting a designated portion of one of the source images based on the reference image to create a color tone corrected image; and (c) outputting the color tone corrected image to a computer readable medium. The designated portion may be any subset of one of the source images, and may be a simple cropping, interlace, or other form of selection, such as areas of interest in the scene. Additionally, the designated portion may be used for determining a set of coefficients for overall color image correction of the complement of the source images. This method brings the increased tonal and saturation qualities of still images to those in motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamic contrast ratio processing method and apparatus of a liquid crystal displaying apparatus.

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: detection of the static areas in the current picture, calculation of a histogram for the non-static areas of the current picture calculation of the difference between the histogram of a current picture and the histogram of at least one preceding picture, declaration of scene change if the difference is greater than a predetermined threshold. The applications related to video processing using picture movement such as up-conversion of video pace, reduction of motion compensated noise.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for color image information inputs a combination of component values of reference colors that constitute a processing color, and converts the combination of component values into a lightness value, saturation value, and hue value. The first correction factor, the second correction factor, and the third correction factor each has a value of 1.0 for a lightness value, saturation value and hue value converted from a specified color respectively, and monotonically decreases toward 0.0. The modulation amount storage means stores a modulation amount of the lightness value, saturation value, and hue value respectively.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes a color noise estimation section, which has a local region extraction section that extracts luminance and color difference signals in units of 4×4 pixels from signals of a CCD with a color filter, an average luminance calculation section that calculates an average luminance value from the luminance signals, a temperature estimation section that estimates a temperature T of the CCD from a signal of an OB region, a gain calculation section that calculates a gain G of the signals based on information from a control section, a coefficient and a function calculation sections for estimating a color noise amount from the average luminance value based on a formulation using the temperature and the gain, and a color noise reducing section that reduces color noise in the color difference signals in units of 4×4 pixels based on the estimated color noise amount.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a data storage section configured to store an image data of a streaked pattern image as a gray-scale image and a direction distribution data indicating a direction distribution of a streaked pattern noise in a first area of the streaked pattern image; and a first image enhancing section configured to execute a first image enhancing process in the first area. The direction distribution data relates a first position as a position of a first pixel in the first area and a first direction as a direction of the streaked pattern noise in the first position. The first image enhancing section determines a first reference area as a local area which contains the first pixel based on the first direction such that the first reference area is contained in the first area, and calculates a post-process density as a density after the first image enhancing process in the first pixel based on a first density histogram in the first reference area.

Abstract: The present invention realizes a function equivalent to an optical half-ND filter electrically and incorporates this function in an image-signal processing system, thereby to compress the dynamic range of images, both effectively and flexibly. The present invention provides an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit that photographs an object, thereby to generate a video signal, a pattern-generating unit that generates a two-dimensional gradation pattern, and a multiplying unit that multiplies the video signal by a gain that corresponds to the two-dimensional gradation pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an acquired signal on an oscilloscope. The method comprises the steps of acquiring an analog signal, digitizing the analog signal and determining a plurality of samples generated by the digitizing that are to be represented by a same vertical pixel column on a display. Thereafter, a histogram of the values of the determined plurality of samples is generated, and a display characteristic of information displayed in the vertical pixel column is modified based upon the generated values of the histogram.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a known histogram of a particular category of images to constrain a probabilistic print-scan model in order to provide a more accurate print-scan model are described. A probability function is defined that given a two-dimensional grayscale bitmap input image provides the probability that a particular pixel of the input image will have a particular gray level in the output image after print-scan processing. Additionally, an expected target histogram is input into the system and used to constrain or modify the probabilistic print-scan model for the input image to produce a deterministic print-scan model.

Abstract: A method for enhancing an image includes generating a luminance histogram for the image; generating a derivative histogram by taking a first derivative of the luminance histogram; searching for a plurality of black peaks and searching for a plurality of white peaks using the derivative histogram; and performing luminance scaling of the image between one black peak of the plurality of black peaks and one white peak of the plurality of white peaks.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for two dimensional digital image processing. The system includes a memory access module for accessing a memory containing image data to be processed, and a data flow organizer module for preparing a data stream from the input image data accessed by the memory access module. The data flow organizer module predicts future data needed for processing, and the memory access module pre-fetches the predicted data from the memory. A data processing module processes the pre-fetched data from the data flow organizer module. Address generation for accessing the memory is performed independent and in parallel with processing the pre-fetched data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a photographing condition estimation unit for estimating a photographing condition of the input image based on photometric information and focal information. A Y/C separation unit separates the input image into a luminance signal and a color difference signal; a luminance correction unit extracts an edge from the luminance signal and corrects the luminance signal by a gradation conversion curve; a color difference correction unit corrects the color difference signal based on luminance signals obtained before and after the gradation correction and a theoretical limit characteristic of color reproduction; a skin color correction unit performs skin color correction depending on the photographing condition; and a Y/C synthesis unit synthesizes the luminance signal and the color difference signal obtained after the correction. Gradation correction is performed on the input image such that appropriate hue and saturation are achieved while emphasizing a main object.

Abstract: A method and corresponding computing device and computer readable storage media containing instructions for modifying the histogram of a grayscale image to improve contrast by extracting black connected components from the grayscale image that touch at least one of the margins of the grayscale image, computing the histogram of the portion of the grayscale image covered by the extracted black connected components, and updating the histogram of the grayscale image by subtracting the histogram of the portion of the binary image covered by the extracted black connected components from the histogram of the grayscale image or by subtracting a function of number of pixels of the portion of the binary image covered by the extracted black connected components from the histogram of the grayscale image. The function may be a property of a document containing the grayscale image, such as the size of the document.

Abstract: In summary, the present invention relates to a method for analyzing and/or testing at least one user interface, comprising the steps of: transmitting an address of at least one user interface, in particular a web-based user interface, and/or a source code together with the associated graphical elements of at least one user interface, in particular a web-based user interface, to an evaluation apparatus (10); transmitting the address of the at least one user interface and/or the source code together with the associated graphical elements of the at least one user interface to at least two differently configured presentation apparatuses (12, 14); generating at least one pixel image of the user interface on each presentation apparatus (12, 14); transmitting each generated pixel image to the evaluation apparatus (10); automatically determining and/or representing at least one difference between the generated pixel images of the at least one user interface.

Abstract: A histogram modeling based technique for image contrast enhancement. In some implementations, a histogram of an image is created and then transformed. Using the physics of sound or heat propagation, the technique may develop a spreaded histogram model that may be transformed. A nonlinear mapping may be created to remap an image for contrast enhancement. The technique may be performed without threshold tuning and may be implemented on a variety of display hardware.

Abstract: Methodologies and systems to compare images with different levels of contrast are provided. Contrast is normalized between the images with different contrast levels and brightness is set. When normalizing contrast a derivative of gray level is determined for a first digital image having a first contrast level, and a derivative of gray level is determined for a second digital image having a second contrast level that is greater than the first contrast level. A ratio of the derivative of gray level for the first digital image to the derivative of gray level for the second digital image is determined, and the derivative of gray level for the first digital image is equalized with the derivative of gray level for the second digital image. Brightness of at least one image may be set automatically, such as by calculating an average pixel value excluding background and text, or manually.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: an image signal processing unit which adjusts an input grayscale values included in an input image signal according to a predetermined grayscale characteristic; a display unit which displays an image based on an image signal included in an output grayscale value adjusted by the image signal processing unit; and a grayscale characteristic changing unit which changes a correlation between the input and output grayscale values defined based on the grayscale characteristic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an apparatus that acquires a sequence of radiographic images and correcting images of an object under observation. For each image of a sequence acquired by the apparatus and for a given frequency of acquisition of the sequence, the apparatus is calibrated by determining the value of the variation of a mean of gray levels in at least one zone of interest of the current image of at least one calibration device, the variation being determined relative to the mean gray level of the first image of the sequence in each zone of interest. The determination of the variation is reiterated for a series of images sequences acquired using calibration devices resulting in first images of mean gray levels different from one sequence to another.

Abstract: The invention provides image display panels. The image display panel comprises a histogram generator, a tone slope generator, and an image transformer. The histogram generator receives an original image, counts the pixels of different gray levels to generate a histogram distribution of the original image, and compares the pixel counts at every gray level with a first threshold count to identify the peaks of the histogram distribution. The tone slope generator generates a tone slope based on the histogram distribution and peaks of the histogram distribution. The image transformer transforms the original image into a modified image based on the tone slope.

Abstract: A method for adaptively adjusting image and an image processing apparatus using the same are provided. The apparatus includes a statistics apparatus and an image adjustment apparatus. The statistics apparatus receives a plurality of pixels in an image to generate a gray-level distribution of the pixels and searches a specific gray-level according to the gray-level distribution, in which a specific percentage of pixels have gray-levels smaller than the specific gray-level. The image adjustment apparatus adjusts the image according to the specific gray-level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are configured to provide data to render (medical) images using direct volume rendering by electronically analyzing a medical volume data set associated with a patient that is automatically electronically divided into a plurality of local histograms having intensity value ranges associated therewith and programmatically generating data used for at least one of tissue detection or tissue classification of tissue having overlapping intensity values.

Abstract: The invention provides an image adjusting apparatus for receiving a set of input signals transmitted from a video interface, which is used for receiving a plurality of sets of input signals. The image adjusting apparatus is further used for automatically adjusting the set of input signals to generate a set of output signals. The image adjusting apparatus includes an operation module, a storage module, an offset module and a gain module. The operation module receives a test image to generate a plurality of adjusting signals. The storage module stores the adjusting signals. The offset module transforms, according to the adjusting signals, the set of input signals into a set of temporary signals. Moreover, the gain module transforms, according to the plurality of adjusting signals, the set of temporary signals into the set of output signals.

Abstract: Techniques for improving the quality of images are described. A first histogram of intensity values may be obtained for an input image and diffused to obtain a second histogram with better intensity coverage. The diffusion may be achieved by filtering the first histogram for multiple iterations with a diffusion function obtained based on a filter function and a diffusion control function. The filter function may control the rate and/or characteristics of the diffusion. The diffusion control function may control shifts in positions of lobes in the first histogram. A transformation function may be determined based on a first cumulative distribution function (CDF) for the first histogram and an inverse function for a second CDF for the second histogram. An output image may be generated by mapping each pixel value in the input image to a corresponding pixel value in the output image based on the transformation function.

Abstract: An electron beam system using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a function for controlling a charged state of a sample to be observed includes electron optics for obtaining image data of the scanning electron microscope, and a monitor that displays a relationship between an equation for determining a degree of separation of peaks which appear in a histogram obtained on a basis of the image data and at least one parameter among parameters for controlling the charged state of the sample. An optimized parameter for controlling the charged stage of the sample can be visually distinguished on the monitor.

Abstract: A method of image processing and a device thereof are provided in the present invention. First, an image having a plurality of regions is received, wherein each region comprises a plurality of pixels. A contrast process is performed on each region and a respective local curve of each region is analyzed, wherein the local curve is a corresponding relation between the gray-level values of the pixels in each region before and after the contrast process. Next, the gray-level value of one of the pixels in a boundary between one of the regions and the neighboring region is adjusted according to the respective local curves of the one of the regions and the neighboring region. The local contrast process towards to each region is performed for enhancing the image. Therefore, not only can the features be obvious, but the non-uniform area in the boundary between the regions also can be smoothed.

Abstract: Methods and systems of processing an image to reduce artifacts caused by image processing are disclosed. One embodiment includes applying a controlled, adaptive histogram equalization technique to improve the quality of an image. The technique may include classifying an image. The embodiments may use a concentration ratio of an image or portions thereof. Another embodiment may include a system for applying an adaptive histogram equalization technique.

Abstract: A histogram stretching apparatus and a histogram stretching method are disclosed to enhance image contrast by stretching a histogram of an input image within a range of a preset maximum expansion level and a preset minimum expansion level. The histogram stretching apparatus performs proper stretching suitable for a characteristic of the input image in due consideration of a saturation portion and a distribution range of a histogram of the input image. The histogram stretching apparatus can improve stretching effects by removing the saturated portion of the input image, and can prevent image distortion even for a monochromatic image. The histogram apparatus can improve histogram stretching effects by adjusting entire image levels of an image having a histogram frequency distribution skewed to a dark or bright side before a stretching operation.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted detecting device and corresponding method for detecting a distance between the vehicle and an object outside the vehicle. The detecting device extracts edge intersection points from images of individual frames photographed by a camera. A set of edge intersection points for which the relative position in images does not change between frames is then specified as an observation point group; the movement of the specified observation point group in images is observed; and pitching by the vehicle is detected. Any two points with differing heights on an object present in an image are extracted as feature points, and after the effect of pitching is eliminated from the feature points, the position of a vanishing line in the image is calculated based on the ratio of the velocities of the feature points in images after the length between the two feature points and the effects of pitching are eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a 3D ultrasound diagnostic forming a 3D ultrasound image only with volume data exiting within contour by automatically detecting the contour of a target object, comprising: a first unit for generating a region of interest (ROI) box on a 2D ultrasound image; a second unit for detecting a contour of a target object in the ROI box; and a third unit for forming a 3D ultrasound image by rendering volume data existing in the detected contour.

Abstract: A system and process for improving the appearance of improperly colored and/or improperly exposed images is presented. This involves the use of two novel techniques—namely an automatic color correction technique and an automatic exposure correction technique. The automatic color correction technique takes information from within an image to determine true color characteristics, and improves the color in improperly colored pixels. The automatic exposure correction technique measures the average intensity of all of the pixels and adjusts the entire image pixel by pixel to compensate for over or under exposure. These techniques are stand alone in that each can be applied to an image exclusive of the other, or they can both be applied in any order desired.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a digital image content-adaptive contrast improving method. The method includes forming a piecewise linear tone remapping function for a digital image according to the histogram thereof. The piecewise linear tone remapping function is formed by repeatedly performing a first and a second step. The first step determines a starting linear tone mapping function for a specific range of luminance values. The second step generates a new tone mapping function for the specific range of luminance values based on the starting linear tone mapping function and the histogram. An apparatus for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: In an image defect inspection method and apparatus, which detects a gray level difference between the corresponding portions of two images, automatically sets a threshold value based on the distribution of the detected gray level difference, compares the detected gray level difference with the threshold value, and judges one or the other of the portions to be defective if the gray level difference is larger than the threshold value, provisions are made to reduce the occurrence of false defects when there is a brightness difference between the two images undergoing the comparison. In the image defect inspection method, the brightness difference between the two images is computed (S106), and the threshold value is determined in such a manner that the threshold value increases with the computed brightness difference (S107).

Abstract: A white-balance imaging apparatus includes a first gradation converting unit performing gradation conversion depending on each pixel value of an original image, a second gradation converting unit performing gradation conversion based on pixel values within a predetermined range from each pixel of the original image, a selecting unit selecting a gradation conversion mode, and a determining unit determining second gradation conversion parameters for use by the second gradation converting unit, according to the selected gradation conversion mode, and determining at least one of first gradation conversion parameters for use by the first gradation converting unit and an exposure amount in an exposure amount adjusting part which can adjust the exposure amount, according to the selected gradation conversion mode. Therefore, it is possible to correct the dark area gradation of an image while maintaining brightness of the whole image, and to realize preferable gradation conversion.

Abstract: A method and system for performing spatial temporal multiplexing using a multi-threshold mask. A mask generator (404) outputs a threshold value for each pixel of a display. The mask generator typically creates a blue noise mask for a given pixel array that is replicated over the face of the entire display. The blue noise mask generator (404) typically is implemented as a memory lookup table. An index generator (402) provides an offset into the memory lookup table that allows the table to be shifted from time to time. The output of the blue noise mask generator (404), which may be the threshold value itself or a signal representing which threshold is being used, is an input to a selective inverter (406). The selective inverter (406) provides the option of inverting the blue noise mask. To reduce artifacts, the mask is periodically shifted and/or inverted. The value from the mask generator (404), whether inverted or not, is compared to the LSBs of the input data word to yield the fractional bit values.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a color line sensor and a monochromatic line sensor starts to read on the basis of the color reading start position when reading the image of a document in color and starts to read on the basis of the monochromatic reading start position when reading the image of a document in monochrome.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for enhancing images are provided. An input image generated by an imaging device, such as a short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) camera, sensor, or any other imaging device, is processed to produce an input histogram representing the distribution of pixel intensities in the input image. Histogram start and end points are determined, and a variable plateau profile is calculated depending upon the type of enhancement desired. The plateau profile could take on any desired shape or size, and two or more plateau regions could be included in the profile. The input histogram is clipped along the variable plateau profile. A cumulative histogram is constructed from the clipped histogram, and is normalized. The input image is then transformed into an enhanced output image using the normalized cumulative histogram as a look-up table.

Abstract: A method for retrieving original intact characteristics of images heavily polluted by Gaussian impulse noises is based on the fuzzy automata theory retrieves the characteristics of images heavily corrupted by Gaussian impulse noises. The retrieved characteristics are represented with fuzzy sets, each of which is also called a fuzzy partition of the image histogram. The membership functions are used for noise filtering, multi-level thresholding, segmentation, and edge detection. This invention further utilizes the result images of filtering and thresholding to perform the second phase processing. After two-phase filtering, the signal-to-noise ratio SNR and the peak signal to noise ratio PSNR are increased up to 10 db for images polluted by noises higher than 50%. Having very low complexity of processing time and memory space, the kernel operation of the algorithm can be implemented with super-scalar super-pipelined 16-bit floating-point processing unit and achieve 24-bit true color results.

Abstract: Radiometric calibration of an image capture device (e.g., a digital camera) using a single image is described. The single image may be a color image or a grayscale image. The calibration identifies and analyzes edge pixels of the image that correspond to an edge between two colors or grayscale levels of a scene. Intensity distributions of intensities measured from the single image are then analyzed. An inverse response function for the image capture device is determined based on the intensity distributions. For a color image, the radiometric calibration involves calculating an inverse response function that maps measured blended colors of edge pixels and the associated measured component colors into linear distributions. For a grayscale image, the radiometric calibration involves deriving an inverse response function that maps non-uniform histograms of measured intensities into uniform distributions of calibrated intensities.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for automatically adjusting white balance, the apparatus including an Image Signal Processing (ISP) unit that processes image data; a first histogram setting unit that is connected to the ISP unit, stores the number of pixels corresponding to each Cb and Cr value of the image data applied from the ISP unit so as to set a first histogram, and sets an effective range of the first histogram; a second histogram setting unit that is connected to the first histogram setting unit, subdivides the first histogram included in the effective range so as to set a second histogram, and applies a weight to the second histogram; and a lean setting unit that is connected to the second histogram setting unit, applies preset lean values to the second histogram, to which the weight has been applied, so as to calculate a lean correction value, and delivers the calculated correction value to the ISP unit.