Lowpass Filter (i.e., For Blurring Or Smoothing) Patents (Class 382/264)
  • Publication number: 20120294525
    Abstract: A method for suppressing structured noise in a digital image includes creating a smoothed version of the original image. Monotonic and slowly-varying image regions are detected by analyzing a residual image which is the function of the original image and its smoothed version. A local window is defined in each pixel location identified in the thresholding process as the location with structured noise and samples inside the window are randomly permuted to randomize the noise structures. A noise-filtered version of the original residual image is generated. The noise-filtered residual and the smoothed version of the original image are combined to produce a final image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Rastislav Lukac
  • Publication number: 20120294518
    Abstract: A contrast improvement method and system for photoacoustic imaging decomposes a photoacoustic image into a plurality of subband images using a set of filters, and integrates the subband images to form an integrated image. The subband images may be pseudo colored and weighted to improve contrast of the photoacoustic image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Pai-Chi Li, Chen-Wei Wei
  • Publication number: 20120294548
    Abstract: A method for sharpening an original digital image includes generating a smoothed image from the original image. A residual image is generated from the smoothed image and the original image. A sharpened smoothed image is generated. The residual image and the sharpened smoothed image are combined to produce a sharpened version of the original image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventor: Rastislav Lukac
  • Publication number: 20120294526
    Abstract: A method for performing column/row pattern suppression in a digital input image includes creating a smoothed version of the input image by averaging a set of columns/rows neighboring around the column/row being corrected. A difference image is constructed by subtracting the smoothed image from the input image. New column/row intensities are computed from the difference image. An output image is constructed with suppressed column/row patterns by subtracting the new column/row intensities from the input image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Alireza Yasan, Rastislav Lukac
  • Patent number: 8315465
    Abstract: In general, the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products. A plurality of electronic training images that are each classified as displaying substantially pictures is obtained. A plurality of local image features in each of the plurality of electronic training images is identified. A plurality of weak classifiers are recursively applied to the local image features. During each iteration a weak classifier that accurately classifies the local images features is selected. After each selection of a weak classifier features that were misclassified by the selected weak classifier are given greater weight than features that were classified correctly by the selected weak classifier. For each selected weak classifier a hillclimbing algorithm is performed to attempt to improve the weak classifier. A strong classifier that is a weighted combination of the selected weak classifiers on which hillclimbing algorithms have been performed is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Shumeet Baluja, Michele Covell
  • Patent number: 8311357
    Abstract: A visual processing device, display device, visual processing method, program, and integrated circuit that change a strength of visual processing of an image in real-time. A spatial processing portion (2) creates an unsharp signal US from an input signal IS. A target level setting portion (4) sets a predetermined target level value L for setting a range according to which the strength of the visual processing is adjusted. An effect adjustment portion (5) creates a synthesized signal MUS by synthesizing the predetermined target level value L and the unsharp signal US in accordance with an effect adjustment signal MOD that has been set externally. A visual processing portion (3) outputs an output signal OS in accordance with the input signal IS and the synthesized signal MUS, making it possible to change the strength of the visual processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Yamashita, Takeshi Ito, Yusuke Monobe
  • Patent number: 8311360
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing shadows from image data is provided. The apparatus includes image capture circuitry and a graphics processor. The apparatus also includes shadow remover circuitry in communication with the image capture circuitry and the graphics processor. The shadow remover circuitry includes shadow remover location circuitry configured to identify shadow image data and shadow correction circuitry configured to selectively apply a smoothing function to the shadow image data based on a value of the shadow image data. The shadow correction circuitry is configured to select between smoothed shadow image data and a value representing an average of neighboring pixel values of non-shadow image data. A display to present an output of the shadow remover circuitry is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Barinder Singh Rai
  • Patent number: 8306366
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting feature points from an image in a multiprocessor system having a plurality of processors, the method including: dividing an original image into a plurality of regions so as to be allocated to a plurality of processors of the multiprocessor system; performing, by the plurality of processors, blurring operations by levels; dividing the images blurred by levels into a plurality of regions to be allocated to the processors and calculating, by the plurality of processors, differences of Gaussian (DoGs); and generating feature point data according to the calculated DoGs. Because a plurality of processors performs the operations of the method, the total time to extract the feature points from the image is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bom-jun Kwon, Tai-ho Choi, Hee-jin Chung, Geon-ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8306351
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filtering noise in an image signal are provided. The apparatus includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a first filter, and a second filter. The ADC receives the image signal and converts the image signal into a digital signal. The first filter receives the digital signal and filters a first noise portion of the digital signal to generate a first signal. The second filter coupled to the first filter receives the first signal and filters a second noise portion of the first signal, wherein the first noise portion is a sampled-based impulse noise, and the second noise portion is a line-based impulse noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventor: Hsin-I Lin
  • Patent number: 8306349
    Abstract: A method for simulating dark-part exposure compensation of high dynamic range images using a single image includes steps of: performing bright-part-enhancing image processing and saturation-contrast-enhancing image processing to obtain images P1, P2, respectively; selecting one of the images P1, P2; performing bright and dark parts identifying image processing on a selected image; performing blurring image processing on the selected image, to obtain a weight-reference image P3; and performing mixed weight calculation on pixels of the image P1 and pixels of the image P2 according to weights of pixels of the weight-reference image P3, respectively, so as to mix the image P1 and the image P2 to obtain a mixed image P4, wherein the pixels of the images P1, P2 on which the mixed weight calculation is performed correspond to the pixels of the weight-reference image P3, respectively. Hence, excessively dark parts typical of an image of undesirably high contrast are improved by reference to a single.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: MSI Computer(Shenzhen) Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yung-Chiu Liu
  • Patent number: 8300974
    Abstract: It is an object to provide an image processing device, an image display device, and an image processing method therefor that are capable of curbing generation of a pseudo edge in a digital image. The image processing device and the image display device are provided including a threshold-value control unit 29 that obtains a threshold value depending on a tone in image data; a smoothing filter unit 60 that applies a smoothing process to a predetermined tone in the image data while preserving, depending on the threshold value, a predetermined edge in the image data; and an output unit that outputs image data having been processed by the smoothing filter unit 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kubo, Satoshi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8301220
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical system comprising a detection device for detecting an object in at least two dimensions by x-rays. The detection device is constructed to detect the object and to produce data comprising a 2D data record or a sequence of 2D data records over time representing the object in a projection through the object in two dimensions and to output the data. The medical system comprises at least one storage device with a data input actively connected to the detection device and which is constructed to receive the data at the input side and to write on a storage medium, in particular a portable storage medium, in such a way that the storage medium represents the data so it can be read out again. The medical system is constructed to digitally transmit the data from the detection device through to the storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Casso Basterrechea, Rainer Kaltschmidt
  • Patent number: 8295626
    Abstract: A method and a system for adaptively (dynamically) reducing quantization layer reduction for removing quantization artifacts in quantized video signals is provided. Adaptively reducing quantization layer reduction involves detecting if a selected pixel in a quantized image belongs to a ramp area in each of multiple pre-defined directions, dynamically selecting a quantization level for each of the pre-defined directions based on the corresponding detection results, and refining the pixel based on the selected quantization levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Zhou, Yeong-Taeg Kim
  • Patent number: 8295632
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and techniques are provided for performing any one or more of edge-preserving image sharpening, edge-preserving image smoothing, edge-preserving image dynamic range compression, and edge-aware data interpolation on digital images, wherein a pixel prediction module is adapted for coupling to a memory storing pixel data representative of a digital image and extracts from the image predicted pixel values using robust smoothing. The predicted pixels are stored in a memory and respective detail values equal to the difference between respective original and predicted values are computed. A pixel update module computes approximation values by averaging the respective detail values with original pixel values using robust smoothing, and stores the approximation values for subsequent rendering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Yissum Research Development Company of Jerusalem Ltd.
    Inventor: Raanan Fattal
  • Patent number: 8295648
    Abstract: A computer of an information processing apparatus sets an ? value of each pixel in accordance with a depth value (Z value) of the pixel of a reference image. The ? value is set such that a synthesizing ratio of the reference image is higher for a pixel having a depth value closer to a predetermined reference value. Next, the computer increases the ? value which is set for a pixel having a smaller ? value among two adjacent pixels which have an ? value difference of a predetermined value or greater. Then, the computer synthesizes the reference image and a blurred image corresponding to the reference image based on the ? value which is set for each pixel after being processed by the increasing processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takuhiro Dohta
  • Publication number: 20120263393
    Abstract: A method for iterative reconstruction of an object containing noise using the pixon method determines the pixon map from a variable that is used to update the object in the iteration. The updating variable is based on an optimized merit function, and smoothes the updating variable during each iteration. The updating variable depends on the reconstruction method, but is typically a gradient of a merit function or a multiplicative update factor. The updated object can optionally also be further smoothed at the end of the iteration, using the pixon map determined during the iteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: IMAGERECON, LLC
    Inventor: Amos Yahil
  • Patent number: 8290292
    Abstract: At least one approximation image is created of the image at one or multiple scales. Translation difference images are created by pixel-wise subtracting the values of an approximation image at scale s and the values of a translated version of the approximation image. A non-linear modification is applied to the values of the translation difference image (s) and at least one enhanced center difference image at a specific scale is computed by combining the modified translation difference images at that scale or a smaller scale with weights wi,,j. An enhanced image is computed by applying a reconstruction algorithm to the enhanced center difference images. The non-linear modification of the values of the translation difference images is steered by (a) characteristic (s) computed out of the approximation image (s) at least one scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Agfa HealthCare N.V.
    Inventors: Tom Bertens, Pieter Vuylsteke
  • Patent number: 8279346
    Abstract: In an image processing apparatus, degradation of edges of stationary subjects can be suppressed in a moving image obtained by converting moving image data having F frames per unit time into moving image data having 2F sub frames per the unit time. For this purpose, pixel data is inputted in order of raster scanning into an input terminal. Then three contiguous pixel data X1 to X3 are obtained by the input terminal and two delay circuits. A differentiator calculates a difference d1 (=X1?X2) between the pixel data of interest X2 and the neighbor pixel data X1 and a difference d2 (=X3?X2) between the pixel data of interest X2 and the neighbor pixel data X3. A multiplier coefficient for low-pass filter calculation is determined based on the differences d1 and d2, and pixel data X2? is calculated as pixel data after filter-processing of the pixel data of interest X2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8279240
    Abstract: A video scaler is disclosed. A polyphase filter can be used to generate interpolated pixels. The values of pixels adjacent an interpolated pixel are examined to determine variation in values among the adjacent pixels to determine minimum and maximum value variations. The value of the interpolated pixel is limited based on the minimum and maximum value variations. Ringing artifacts can be reduced by limiting the color range of an interpolated pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Sreenath Kurupati
  • Patent number: 8280183
    Abstract: A noise robust contrast-enhancement engine utilizes low-pass infinite-impulse-response filters for enhancing the contrast while preventing noise amplification in video/image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey Matthew Kempf, Christopher Paul Smearing
  • Patent number: 8279932
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a synthesis filter unit configured to execute synthesis filtering for coefficient data of each subband, obtained by decoding a code stream of a reversibly-encoded image and performing band division, in each predetermined number of lines or in each predetermined block to obtain baseband image data on a line basis; a storage unit configured to store the baseband image data obtained by the synthesis filter unit; an analysis filter unit configured to read the baseband image data stored in the storage unit and execute analysis filtering for the image data to divide the image data up to a predetermined division level; and a control unit configured to control the analysis filter unit to execute analysis filtering as soon as the amount of the baseband image data stored in the storage unit reaches a data amount allowing analysis filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Fukuhara, Katsutoshi Ando, Junya Araki
  • Publication number: 20120242707
    Abstract: A scaler is provided and includes filters each receiving input pixel data and scaling the input pixel data using a scaling factor to generate a scaled pixel value, and a plurality of mixers, less than the plurality of filters. A first mixer performs a first blending operation on a first scaled pixel value and a second scaled pixel value provided by different filters. A second mixer performs a second blending operation on the blended result of the first mixer and a third scaled pixel value provided by anther filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min-Woo Song, Jong Ho Roh, Byoung Jin Ahn, Ho June Leu
  • Patent number: 8275212
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a pre-combination processing unit configured to perform a pre-combination process so that a plurality of frames of image data having continuity in time are used as combination-use image data to be combined, an operation detection unit configured to detect operation input information used for a combination process, a storage unit configured to store coefficient templates each having a pattern of weighting coefficients assigned to image data of frames, a template management unit configured to select one of the coefficient templates stored in the storage unit according to the operation input information, and a combination processing unit configured to perform a combination process on the combination-use image data of the plurality of frames obtained in the pre-combination process using the coefficient template selected by the template management unit so as to generate combined-image data representing a still image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuo Makii
  • Patent number: 8274707
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus which provides an image with an extended region of a size suitable for performing block processing. In order to achieve the object, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an input unit for inputting image data and printer setting information of the image data; and an extended region computing unit for dividing the image data into a block region and computing an extended region of the divided block region based on the printer setting information. The apparatus also includes a generating unit for generating a processed block region with the extended region added to the block region; and a processing unit for performing image processing on the processed block region produced by the generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryo Kosaka
  • Publication number: 20120237136
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects take as input image data in a lower-dynamic-range (LDR) format and produce as output enhanced image data having a dynamic range greater than that of the input image data (i.e. higher-dynamic range (HDR) image data). In some embodiments, the methods are applied to video data and are performed in real-time (i.e. processing of video frames to enhance the dynamic range of the video frames is completed at least on average at the frame rate of the video signal).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Allan G. REMPEL, Wolfgang HEIDRICH, Helge SEETZEN, Gregory John WARD, Lorne A. WHITEHEAD
  • Patent number: 8270048
    Abstract: The present invention extends an entire reproducible gamut by generating color separation data effectively utilizing the particularly high saturation and lightness of a particular color ink. Color separation data uses three types of inks including a particular color ink red and basic color inks yellow and magenta at the maximum saturation point of a hue R. On a low-lightness side with respect to the maximum saturation point, a reproducible color space can be extended by adding a cyan ink or the like to the above inks. In a high-lightness are, the reproducible color space can be extended by using the particular color ink red. Further, the entire gamut of a low-lightness side of this hue can be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiromitsu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 8270768
    Abstract: A method of rendering a multi-view image comprising a first output image and a second output image on basis of an input image (102) is disclosed. The method comprises: creating a modulation image (100) comprising irregular shaped objects (106-112); modulating pixel values of a portion of the input image (102) on basis of further pixel values of the modulation image (100), resulting into an intermediate image (104); and generating the multi-view image by means of warping the intermediate image on basis of the disparity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.
    Inventors: Fabian Edgar Ernst, Marc Joseph Rita Op De Beeck, Christiaan Varekamp
  • Patent number: 8270749
    Abstract: A method is presented for processing an image of a two-dimensional (2D) matrix symbol having a plurality of data modules and a discontinuous finder pattern, each distorted by “donut effects”. A resulting processed image contains an image of the 2D matrix symbol having a continuous finder pattern suitable for conventional 2D matrix symbol locating techniques, and having a plurality of data modules, each data module having a center more truly representative of intended data, and suitable for conventional 2D matrix symbol sampling and decoding. The method includes sharpening the distorted image of the 2D matrix symbol to increase a difference between low frequency and high frequency image feature magnitudes, thereby providing a sharpened image, and smoothing the sharpened image using a moving window over the sharpened image so as to provide a smoothed image, the moving window and a module of the 2D matrix code being of substantially similar size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cognex Technology and Investment Corporation
    Inventors: Sateesh Nadabar, Xiangyun Ye
  • Patent number: 8265415
    Abstract: An apparatus for transforming an image in a mobile device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pen style transformation unit for transforming an original image to a pen style image using a separated Gaussian filter and outputting pen style image, a cartoon style transformation unit for transforming the original image to a cartoon style image and outputting the cartoon style image, a mosaic creation unit for creating a photomosaic to which the original image is applied based on an optimum photo image set and outputting the created photo mosaic by applying the created photo mosaic to the original image, and an image output unit for outputting the images output from the pen style transformation unit, the cartoon style transformation unit, and the mosaic creation unit to an output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Yoon-Seok Choi, Bon Ki Koo, Ji Hyung Lee, Bo Youn Kim, Hee Jeong Kim, Il Kyu Park, Seung Wook Lee, Seung Hyup Shin
  • Patent number: 8265414
    Abstract: An image processing device to process a moving image, which is shot by a video shooting device, in increments of access units, includes: a correcting unit to correct the access unit to be processed by changing the properties of a low-pass filter which indicates imaging blur according to parameter values showing the properties of imaging blur which occurs at the time that the moving image is shot with the video shooting device, generating an inverse filter having inverse properties as to the low-pass filter, and performing processing to apply the inverse filters as to the access unit to be processed; wherein, with a frequency of which the frequency property of the low-pass filter indicating the imaging blur is zero being zero points, performing processing to apply the inverse filter is forbidden for predetermined frequency components of the frequency components of the access unit to be processed including the zero points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Toru Nishi, Kazuhiko Ueda, Mitsuyasu Asano
  • Publication number: 20120224786
    Abstract: Methods and systems for hierarchically layered adaptive median motion vector smoothing are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include generating motion vectors (MVs) for video pictures at each level of a hierarchical motion estimation process, where each level may use different resolution video pictures. The MVs may be smooth filtered at each level to reduce or remove spurious MVs. The smooth filtering may comprise scalar median filtering and/or vector median filtering. The smooth filtering may receive as inputs a plurality of MVs, for example, the MV being filtered and eight MVs from the surrounding video blocks. The vector costs of the nine MVs may be compared to a threshold vector cost, and those MVs with costs above the threshold value may be discarded. The threshold value may be dynamically changed based on, for example, content of the video pictures and/or to adjust a window size of the smoothing filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Heng, Xuemin Chen
  • Publication number: 20120224785
    Abstract: This invention makes it possible to obtain an enlarged image while suppressing noise and maintaining the sharpness of an original image only by setting a simple enlargement ratio without no special knowledge. Original image data (Ia) is enlarged in accordance with a set enlargement ratio (E) to generate an enlarged image (IA). The enlarged image (IA) is smoothed by using a smoothing filter with a size depending on the enlargement ratio (E) to generate smoothed image data (IB). Difference image data (IC) is generated by calculating the difference between the enlarged image data (IA) and the smoothed image data (IB). The generated difference image data is multiplied by an emphasis coefficient. The product is added to the enlarged image data, thereby obtaining image data (IS) that has undergone enlargement/unsharp masking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Hanamoto, Kiyoshi Kusama
  • Publication number: 20120224766
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a superimposition processing unit which performs a blend process on a plurality of images which are continuously photographed. The superimposition processing unit includes a moving subject detection unit, a blend processing unit, and a noise reduction processing unit. The moving subject detection unit detects the moving subject region of an image, and generates moving subject information in units of an image region. The blend processing unit generates a superimposition image by performing a blend process on the plurality of images using a high blend ratio in a stationary subject region and using a low blend ratio in the moving subject region based on the moving subject information. The noise reduction processing unit performs a stronger pixel value smoothing process on the moving subject region of the superimposition image based on the moving subject information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Mitsuharu OHKI, Tomonori MASUNO, Satoru TAKEUCHI, Hiroaki TAKAHASHI, Teppei KURITA
  • Patent number: 8254636
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus holds a plurality of intermediate smoothed images smoothed at a plurality of preset level values, reduces the N-th frame image of a moving image received from the outside to generate a reduced image, performs a smoothing process on the generated reduced image at the plurality of preset level values to generate a plurality of intermediate smoothed images, stores the generated intermediate smoothed images in an intermediate smoothed image storing unit, acquires, when generating the smoothed images of the frames after the (N+1)-th frame, one or a plurality of intermediate smoothed images from the plurality of intermediate smoothed images of the N-th frame stored in the intermediate smoothed image storing unit, synthesizes the acquired intermediate smoothed images of the N-th frame and the frames after the (N+1)-th frame of the moving image received from the outside, and generates smoothed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Toru Tsuruta, Masayoshi Shimizu, Yuushi Toyoda, Eishi Morimatsu
  • Patent number: 8254663
    Abstract: A workpiece inspection apparatus includes a measured image generator unit configured to measure a pattern of a workpiece and generate a measured image; and a comparator unit configured to compare the measured image to a fiducial image, wherein said measured image generator unit includes a light-receiving device having an interconnection of two or more time delay integration (TDI) sensors each being arranged by two or more line sensors each being arranged by two or more pixels, for generating as the measured image an average value of pixel values excluding an abnormal pixel value from pixels of each TDI sensor with respect to a position of the pattern of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kataoka, Ikunao Isomura, Ryoichi Hirano, Nobutaka Kikuiri, Susumu Iida
  • Publication number: 20120213327
    Abstract: We present an iterative method for reducing artifacts in computed tomography (CT) images. First, a filter is applied to the experimental projection data that adaptively expands the detector element size in regions with low photon counts, until the desired number of photons are detected. The initial image is then calculated using an existing reconstruction technique. In each iteration, artifacts and noise in the current image are reduced by using an edge-preserving blur filter. Metal pixels (determined from the initial image) are replaced with smaller values. The resulting image is forward projected. Rays that go through metal are replaced with the forward projected values. Rays that do not pass near metal are kept at the experimental values. Filtered backprojection is then performed on the new projection data to determine the updated image. Finally, after the last iteration, metal pixels are copied from the initial image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Franz Edward Boas
  • Patent number: 8249379
    Abstract: A first intermediate image generating means (1) generates an intermediate image (D1) by extracting a component of an input image DIN in a particular frequency band; a second intermediate image generating means (2) generates an intermediate image D2 having a frequency component higher than the intermediate image (D1); a first intermediate image processing means (3M) generates an intermediate image (D3M) by amplifying the pixel values in the intermediate image (D1); a second intermediate image processing means (3H) generates an intermediate image (D3H) by amplifying the pixel values in the intermediate image (D2); and an adding means (4) adds the input image (DIN) and the intermediate image (D3M) and the intermediate image (D3H) together to obtain an output image (DOUT). A first amplification factor (D3MA) and a second amplification factor (D3HA) are determined according to pixel values in the input image (DIN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shotaro Moriya, Noritaka Okuda, Satoshi Yamanaka, Koji Minami, Yoshitaka Toyoda, Hiroaki Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8248492
    Abstract: This present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of performing edge preserving smoothing processing with less operations, an image processing method, and a program. The block-histogram calculation unit 113 calculates the number of pixels, as a block histogram, included in each of luminance blocks which are obtained by dividing a luminance image in a spatial direction and a luminance direction. The block-integration value 115 calculates an integration value of luminance values of the pixels included in each of the luminance blocks as a block integration value. The weighted product-sum unit 117 calculates a general-luminance value representing average luminance of an object region to which a pixel being processed belongs using the block integration value, the block histogram, and the luminance value of the pixel being processed. This invention is applicable to digital video cameras.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoo Mitsunaga
  • Patent number: 8249395
    Abstract: System, method, and computer program product to adaptively blend the interpolation results from an 8-tap Lanczos filter and the interpolation results from a bilinear filter, according to the local transitions of the input content. Artifacts may occur, which may be identified as such and corrected. Pixels that represent artifacts in the blended image may be replaced with the pixel for that location taken from the bilinear interpolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ya-Ti Peng, Yi-Jen Chiu
  • Patent number: 8237822
    Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus may effectively reduce noise in an image which represents an object photographed by a photographing apparatus. The method may include extracting a first low-frequency component and a first high-frequency component from first image data, and applying a noise reduction filter to the first low-frequency component and to the first high-frequency component to obtain a second low-frequency component and a second high-frequency component, respectively. The method may also include obtaining edge data from the second low-frequency component, and amplifying a portion of the second high-frequency component that corresponds to the edge data to obtain a third high-frequency component. The method may further include combining the second low-frequency component with the third high-frequency component to obtain second image data, and controlling the second image data representing the photographed object to be output to at least one of a storage medium and a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soon-keun Chang, Jin-pyo Gwak
  • Patent number: 8233738
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to various aspects take as input image data in a lower-dynamic-range (LDR) format and produce as output enhanced image data having a dynamic range greater than that of the input image data (i.e. higher-dynamic range (HDR) image data). In some embodiments, the methods are applied to video data and are performed in real-time (i.e. processing of video frames to enhance the dynamic range of the video frames is completed at least on average at the frame rate of the video signal).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Allan Rempel, Wolfgang Heidrich, Helge Seetzen, Gregory John Ward, Lorne A. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8224110
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a gradient calculator that calculates a direction and a magnitude of a gradient of each pixel in an input image using neighboring pixel values; a histogram calculator that calculates a Histogram of Oriented Gradients containing plural sampled directions from the directions and the magnitudes of the gradients calculated for the pixels in a region including the pixel being processed; a storing unit that stores plural smoothing filters and associated Histograms of Oriented Gradients; a search unit that calculates errors between Histogram of Oriented Gradients calculated for the pixel being processed and the Histograms of Oriented Gradients stored in the storing unit and searches the Histogram of Oriented Gradients that has the minimum error; and a filter processing unit that acquires one of the smoothing filters stored in association with the Histogram of Oriented Gradients having the minimum error and determines a corrected pixel value of the pixel being processed by filte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Nao Mishima, Goh Itoh
  • Publication number: 20120177267
    Abstract: A method for producing an image having a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is provided. An image to be enhanced is provided, the provided image including a previously reconstructed image or an image reconstructed from acquired image data. A prior image is produced from the provided image, for example, by filtering the provided image such that noise from the provided image is substantially suppressed in the prior image. Synthesized image data is produced by performing a forward projection of the provided image. A sparsified image is produced by subtracting the prior image and the provided image. A target image having a higher SNR than the provided image is reconstructed using the sparsified image, the provided image, and the synthesized image data. The provided image may be, for example, a medical image produced by an x-ray imaging system, including computed tomography and C-arm systems; a magnetic resonance imaging system; and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Guang-Hong Chen, Jie Tang
  • Publication number: 20120177301
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing an image blocking artifact by using a transformation coefficient are provided. The method includes: detecting a first blocking artifact which is in a flat region of the input image; removing the first blocking artifact using a number of low frequency coefficients from among transformation coefficients for each transformation block of a plurality of transformation blocks of the input image, based on a result of detecting the first blocking artifact; detecting an edge region of the input image; and removing a second blocking artifact, which is in an edge region of an intermediate image obtained from the removing of the first blocking artifact of the input image, based on the detected edge region in the input image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicants: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gun-shik SHIN, Jong-beom RA, Se-hyeok PARK, Seok-bong YOO, Jae-hyun KIM, Kyu-ha CHOI
  • Patent number: 8218894
    Abstract: A system and method of contrast enhancement is disclosed. A contrast enhancement unit processes an input pixel to generate a contrast-enhanced pixel, and a delta unit subtracts the input pixel from the contrast-enhanced pixel, thereby resulting in a difference value. Multiple delayed difference values generated by a delay unit are low-pass filtered to generate a refined difference value. An adding unit adds back the refined difference value to the input pixel, thereby resulting in an output pixel that is contrast-enhanced without noise boost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Himax Media Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Shing-Chia Chen
  • Patent number: 8218196
    Abstract: In the case where an output value of a document reading section for at least any of R, G and B is out of a range between a first reference value and a second reference value due to a change in an output value of a reading device caused by an electrical noise, a change of supply voltage, etc. when a document is being read, a second color conversion table is created in accordance with the above change by expanding ranges in a first color conversion table, which ranges are around predetermined first and second reference values and included in regions of RGB color system associated respectively with predetermined tone values of Y, M and C. Using the second color conversion table thus obtained, a color conversion is carried out from the RGB color system into the YMC color system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Michiko Fujiwara, Tomoe Matsuoka, Takashi Usui
  • Patent number: 8213736
    Abstract: An image processing device is for generating a smoothed image with an input image blurred. The device includes first low pass filters each set with a different range of level value, using each pixel in the input image or a first input image generated based on the input image as a pixel of interest, extracting each pixel that has a level value of each pixel in a filter size within a range of level value, and generating a first level value limit smoothed image by smoothing a level value of an extracted pixel to be used as a level value of the pixel of interest. The device also includes a first synthesis processing unit that uses each pixel in the input image or a second input image generated based on the input image as a processing object pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yuushi Toyoda, Masayoshi Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20120162425
    Abstract: The device for securing visibility for a driver includes an input unit obtaining an image of an area in front of a moving object; a first estimating unit estimating from the image a geometric relationship between the moving object and its surrounding environment to output geometric relationship information; a second estimating unit estimating from the image an optical characteristic of the environment to output optical characteristic information; a first correcting unit adjusting brightness and contrast of the image based on the optical characteristic information and eliminating blob noise resulting from the environment; a second correcting unit compensating for vibration of the image based on the geometric relation information and eliminating motion blur; a synthesizing unit restoring, based on the geometric relationship information, empty space of the image resulting from the blob noise elimination and the vibration compensation and extracting and highlighting principal information of the image to acquire n
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Sung Lok CHOI, Won Pil YU
  • Publication number: 20120163729
    Abstract: A signal processing apparatus includes: a first low-pass filter filtering a data signal; and a convolving section convolving low frequency components of the data signal obtained by the first low-pass filter with a compensation filter for compensating for signal degradation attributable to low frequency components of impulse response obtained by filtering the impulse response with a second low-pass filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yukihiko MOGI, Ken Tamayama
  • Patent number: RE43628
    Abstract: Adjacent blocks are identified in an image. Coding parameters for the adjacent blocks are identified. Deblock filtering between the identified adjacent blocks is skipped if the coding parameters for the identified adjacent blocks are similar and not skipped if the coding parameters for the identified adjacent blocks are substantially different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shijun Sun, Shawmin Lei