Abstract: A method, medium and system processing an image signal. The system includes an edge detection module to detect a pixel belonging to an edge in an input image, a period determination module to determine a period of change in pixel values based on a first value of the pixel belonging to the edge and a second value of a pixel that is adjacent to the pixel belonging to the edge, and a signal correction module to correct one or more sub-pixels of the pixel belonging to the edge using a weight allocated according to a result of the determination performed by the period determination module.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving pixel data for a portion of an image including a blocking artifact, calculating an artifact strength based on a difference between a two pixels on opposite sides of the blocking artifact, performing a local adaptability check using the artifact strength and values multiple pixels on the opposite sides, performing deblocking based on a result of the local adaptability check, applying a soft threshold to the artifact strength to adjust a value of the artifact strength, and re-aligning one or more pixels on the opposite sides based on the original value of the pixels and a pixel index value. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system for processing video data to improve image quality at low data rates comprising an encoder generating an entropy signal representing the relative entropy of the video data and a plurality of filters each receiving the entropy signal and a threshold setting and filtering the video data if the entropy signal is greater than the threshold setting.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a characteristic value calculation unit calculating a block luminance average value, which is an average value of luminance values in each of spatial blocks obtained by dividing an input image in a space direction, and a block luminance dispersion, which is a dispersion of the luminance values in each of the spatial blocks; and an edge-preserving smoothing unit calculating a general luminance value of pixels of the input image by setting a value obtained by approximately calculating a weighted average value of the luminance values of a noticed block containing noticed pixels of the input image, on the assumption that a distribution of the luminance values of each of the spatial blocks conforms to a Gaussian distribution based on the block luminance average value and the block luminance dispersion of each of the spatial blocks, as the general luminance value of the noticed pixels.

Abstract: Methods (100), apparatuses, and computer program products for rendering a piece-wise smooth image are disclosed. The image is specified by image values along opposite sides of paths. The paths (210) are converted (110) to chains of straight line segments (310 to 350), and image values are set (110) for each side of each segment. Coefficients are determined (120) for each line segment. A first coefficient for each segment is based (120) on a difference between specified image values on opposite sides of the segment. A second coefficient for each segment is obtained (120) using an average of image values on opposite sides of the segment and a system of linear equations. Each image value is calculated (130) as the addition of a sum over all segments of the product of first coefficient for a segment with a dipole field value for the segment and a sum over all segments of the product of second coefficient for a segment with a logarithmic field value for the segment.

Abstract: A system and method for processing an image edge includes an edge filter that processes an image input to generate edge data. An edge-smoothing filter processes the edge data to filter-out image noise and preserve the image edge, thus generating edge-smoothed data. An adder adds the edge-smoothed data to the image input, thus generating an edge-smoothed image.

Abstract: A method and a device for generating a pixel value from a plurality of sample values being generated from a plurality of sample points. The method comprises generating a plurality of sample values; and weighting said plurality of sample values for determining said pixel value. Each sample value is generated from one of a plurality of candidate sample points within a sample region. The sample region is positioned at a corner of two intersecting borders of the pixel. The size of the sample region is smaller than the size of the pixel. The device is arranged to carry out the method according to the invention.

Abstract: This closure provides image processing methods and apparatus for corner enhancing a digital image for rendering on an image output device. According to an exemplary method, the method determines whether or not image pixels are associated with a corner as a function of the USAN values generated for the image pixels. Subsequently, one or more pixels associated with a corner are modified to render a corner enhanced image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a ridge strength detecting unit for detecting a ridge strength that is the strength of a ridge included in an image. When a pixel value is changed in the form of a pulse in accordance with a positional change in a region that includes a plurality of pixels, the ridge strength is represented by a gradient and height of the pulse.

Abstract: In order to eliminate image deterioration based on the characteristics of an output device upon execution of edge emphasis processing, an image processing apparatus includes a setting unit which sets a print characteristic on the print medium, a region setting unit which sets a region, a brightness value derivation unit which derives brightness values, a first derivative derivation which derives first derivatives of the brightness values, an edge direction determination unit which determines an edge direction of brightness, an emphasis level determination unit which determines an emphasis level of a pixel value based on the first derivatives, and a replacement unit which calculates second derivatives of brightness values and replaces a pixel value of a pixel of interest based on the sign of the second derivative.

Abstract: An image processing circuit includes: a plurality of counters that extract image blocks each of which includes a predetermined number of pixels from input image data, count a number of pixels having a predetermined value for each of the image blocks, calculate a pixel value for each of the extracted image blocks, and output a plurality of bit streams each of which represents the counted number for a respective image block, the number of the plurality of counters being larger than a bit length defined for a single writing process with the memory divided by the bit length of a value calculated for an image block; a converter that converts the bit streams output from the plurality of counters, by adjusting a bit length of the bit streams for writing in the memory, and outputs the converted bit streams; and a synthesizer that synthesizes the plurality of bit streams output from the converter to generate a bit stream having the bit length defined for a single writing process with the memory, and outputs the genera

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing anti-aliased images use a sub-pixel sample pattern set that includes two or more unique sub-pixel sample patterns that are complementary. The sub-pixel sample patterns are offset from each pixel center and used to produce images that are combined to produce the anti-aliased image. In addition to providing sub-pixel coverage information, the sub-pixel sample pattern sets may be used to produce sub-pixel shading information. Furthermore, the sub-pixel sample pattern sets may be used in single processor systems or in multiprocessor systems to produce anti-aliased images.

Abstract: An image processing circuit for processing at least one jagged edge in an image represented by an input video signal. The image processing circuit includes: a detection module for detecting an edge by labeling a specific portion within input data carried by the input video signal to indicate whether the specific portion corresponds to a specific edge and further generates a detection result; a line buffer for temporarily storing input data carried by the input video signal; and a processing unit, coupled to the detection module and the line buffer, for processing the input data according to the detection result to output an output video signal.

Abstract: A method for extracting edge with subpixel accuracy in photogrammetry, comprising steps of: a. capturing into a computer a picture, of which the edge is to be extracted; b. defining as a cell four neighboring pixels that form a square; c. recognizing the type of each cell composed of the four pixels; d. finding out side or sides of the cell that intersect with, the edge and figuring out the subpixel accuracy coordinates of the intersection points by linear interpolation; and e. connecting the intersection points to extract the edge. By this method edge curve is extracted rapidly and accurately. The edge determined in this way can be subpixel accurate.

Abstract: In order to provide an edge emphasis technique that can eliminate image deterioration of a digital image, an image processing apparatus includes a region setting unit which sets a region including a pixel of interest, a brightness value derivation unit which derives brightness values of the pixels, a first derivative derivation unit which derives first derivatives of the brightness values derived by the brightness value derivation unit, an edge direction determination unit which determines an edge direction of brightness at a position of the pixel of interest based on the results of the first derivatives, a range determination unit which determines a range, and a replacement unit which replaces the pixel value of the pixel of interest.

Abstract: A system renders a primitive of an image to be displayed, for instance in a mobile 3D graphic pipeline, the primitive including a set of pixels. The system locates the pixels in the area of the primitive, generates, for each pixel located in the area, a set of associated sub-pixels, borrows a set of sub-pixels from neighboring pixels, subjects the set of associated sub-pixels and the borrowed set of pixels to adaptive filtering to create an adaptively filtered set of sub-pixels, and further filters the adaptively filtered set of sub-pixels to compute a final pixel for display. Preferably, the set of associated sub-pixels fulfils at least one of the following: the set includes two associated sub-pixels and the set includes associated sub-pixels placed on pixel edges.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention sets forth a method and system for reducing memory bandwidth requirements for an anti-aliasing operation. The first virtual coverage information for a pixel involved in an anti-aliasing operation is maintained in memory. If a certain operating condition of the anti-aliasing operation deterministically implies the second virtual coverage information for this pixel, the second virtual coverage information, as opposed to the first virtual coverage information, is used in the anti-aliasing operation. In such situations, since the virtual coverage information is implied, it does not have to be accessed from memory, thereby improving overall system performance.

Abstract: An antialiasing method includes: providing a first fragment; computing a first coverage area representing a portion of the first fragment covered by a first primitive; providing a second fragment juxtaposed to the first fragment and at least partially covered by a second primitive; processing the first coverage area to obtain a corrected coverage area indicative of a visible first fragment portion resulting from the juxtaposition of the fragments; and applying an antialiasing procedure based on the corrected coverage area.

Abstract: A method is disclosed as including scanning a first pixel of an image with a primary scanning line of a sensor, and scanning a second pixel of the image with a secondary scanning line of the sensor, wherein the first pixel is separated from the second pixel by a pitch of one or more scan lines. A compensation value is determined for one or more pixels of the image, wherein the compensation value is determined based, at least in part, on a mathematical operation comprising pixel values associated with the first and second pixels and the pitch. The method further includes compensating the one or more pixel values based, at least in part, on the compensation value, wherein the compensation value compensates for a reflection of light between the first and second scanning lines when the first and second pixels are scanned.

Abstract: A method of selectively sharpening video data may include, for at least some pixels in the video data, generating a sharpened value for a pixel value in an image. The sharpened value may be disregarded if a combination of the pixel value and the sharpened value is in a coring region. The sharpened value also may be disregarded if a combination of the pixel value and the sharpened value is a clipping region. The combination of the pixel value and the sharpened value may be output if the combination is not in the coring region or in the clipping region.

Abstract: A method for synchronization of a media signal computes features of the media signal and determines redundancy of the features to establish synchronization. The synchronization method is adapted for both temporal and spatial synchronization. For spatial synchronization, spatial redundancy is used to detect geometric distortion of a signal using an autocorrelation method to detect peaks caused by the redundancy of features of the signal. These peaks are then analyzed with a histogram method to detect rotation and scaling of the host media signal. The spatial synchronization process is applied for both intra-coded frames of video (I-frames) as well as still images.

Abstract: Method and system for image data analysis, by making use of a Terrain Map Summary Element (TMSE) data structure, in which a Terrain Map data structure provides processed primitive data about each 2×2 kernel of pixels from an original image. The new TMSE is a hierarchical multiple-level or tiered structure of such Terrain Map elements, in which each successive Terrain Map level summarizes, for example, 16 lower level elements or member. By providing such a hierarchical nature of the map elements, richness is enhanced by each higher element because every element of each successively higher level map summarizes the data from elements of the lower level map. For example, in a five-level Terrain Map Summary Element structure according to the disclosure, each element or member of the fifth level contains information summarizing data about 256K pixels.

Abstract: A method for rendering adjacent polygons. The method includes determining when a first polygon and a second polygon have an abutting edge. If an abutting edge exists, a majority status is assigned to a pixel on the abutting edge. A first color of the first polygon or a second color of the second polygon is then allocated to the pixel in accordance with the majority status.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for data compression that includes representing each sub-pixel of each pixel with a pointer corresponding to an attribute of the sub-pixel, the attribute being a floating point binary number. An overall attribute of each pixel is then determined. The determining of the overall attribute of each tile may include any one of assigning the attribute of the sub-pixels to the overall attribute of the pixel when the sub-pixels are represented by an identical pointer, and resolving the overall attribute of the tile by the attributes of the sub-pixels when the sub-pixels are represented by non-identical pointers of the pixel.

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.

Abstract: A binary resolution conversion apparatus and method is provided. According to one exemplary embodiment, a binary resolution conversion method includes an image processing method comprising a data processing process comprising a first video data input process receiving a first video data group associated with one or more horizontal and vertical edges of an image, and one or more horizontal and vertical thin lines of the image; a second video data input process receiving a second video data group associated with one or more slanted edges and one or more slanted lines of the image, and one or more objects of the image; a tag data input process receiving tag data associated with image edge and image thin line detection data; and a first video data input providing the video data output to a first video data output if the tag data input indicates an image edge or image thin line, otherwise a second video data input providing the video data output.

Abstract: Method and devices for enhancing still digital images extracted from a compressed video sequences are disclosed herein, wherein the compressed video sequence comprises at least one I-frame and at least one P-frame. The method comprises determining whether an I-frame or a P-frame of video has been extracted, determining the quantization matrix of the previous I-frame if a P-frame has been extracted, and reconstructing the extracted video frame. The image is enhanced based on the quantization matrix of the present I-frame if the extracted frame is an I-frame and based on the quantization matrix of the previous I-frame if a P-frame has been extracted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing imagery using images acquired via any known Electro-Optical (EO) system. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a first frame of data is selected as a template frame (e.g., a given frame). A second frame of data can be captured using the EO system. At least a portion of the second frame can be correlated with the template frame to generate a shift vector. The second frame can then be registered with the template frame by interpolating the second frame using the shift vector and re-sampling at least a portion of the second frame to produce a registered frame. The template frame can also be re-sampled. The registered frame and the re-sampled template frame can then be combined to generate an averaged frame. The averaged frame can be spatially filtered to enhance edges within the averaged frame.

Abstract: A solid imaging apparatus and method employing sub-pixel shifting in multiple exposures of the digitally light projected image of a cross-section of a three-dimensional object on a solidifiable liquid medium. The multiple exposures provide increased resolution, preserving image features in a three-dimensional object and smoothing out rough or uneven edges that would otherwise be occur using digital light projectors that are limited by the number of pixels in an image projected over the size of the image. Algorithms are used to select pixels to be illuminated within the boundary of each image projected in the cross-section being exposed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing programmable anti-aliasing in cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise characterizing at least one image for existing aliasing, and characterizing existing blur in the at least one image. The method may also include introducing blur during image capture operations by the camera based on the aliasing and existing blur in the at least one image.

Abstract: The present application is a method of producing digital image objects with enhanced halftone edges. The method operates by selecting a target pixel location within the digital image; observing a set of pixels within a pixel observation window superimposed on the digital image relative to the target pixel location; generating edge-state codes for a plurality of pairs of neighboring vectors of pixels within the pixel observation window; generating edge-identification codes from the plurality of edge-state codes using at least one look-up table; and, utilizing the edge-identification code to select and apply to the digital image at the target pixel either a first halftone screen having a first fundamental frequency and a first angle or a second halftone screen having a second fundamental frequency and a second angle, wherein the second frequency and second angle are harmonically matched to the first frequency and first angle.

Abstract: A method for adaptive false contour reduction includes: detecting contour location information by removing a flat region having certain brightness values from a first input image based on a bright value difference between the first input image and a second input image with a bit depth of the first input image reduced; detecting false-contour direction and location information by measuring directional contrast of the flat region-removed first image, and distinguishing the false contour area and an edge area out of the false contour location information based on the measured contrast; and smoothing the false contour area by using the false contour direction and location information, and removing the false contour from the first input image. Thus, a flat region can be automatically removed by using a brightness value difference between a bit depth-reduced image and an original input image and detect a false contour, thereby enhancing a precision degree of false contour detection.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which performs image formation using plural color materials including dark color material and light color material for a hue generates color component signals corresponding to the respective plural color materials from an input image signal. Edge smoothing processing is performed on the respective color component signals except a color component signal corresponding to the light color material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide sampling methods suited for graphics hardware acceleration. A graphics application may specify a grid of pixels to be rendered. The graphics application may supply a graphics rendering engine with one or more sets of camera parameters. Each set of camera parameters is used to alter the position of the pixel grid relative its original position so that a grid of samples can be generated at the new grid position. The graphics rendering engine then renders a grid of samples at the new grid position. Each sample grid may be used sampled to determine a set of intermediate color values that may be blended together to generate a final color value for each pixel in the pixel grid.

Abstract: Reduction in the blockiness of a simulated film grain block can be achieved either by the use of adaptive downscaling or adaptive deblocking filtering to adjust the intensity of the pixels at the block edge in accordance with at least one film grain block parameter, such as film grain size, intensity and texture. Performing such adaptive downscaling or adaptive deblocking filtering achieves improved performance at lower computational cost by avoiding modification of film grain block pixels in lesser affected areas.

Abstract: A method of effacing zipper image, applicable to scan a document by a scanner with a stagger charge-coupled device. The nth (n is a positive integer) pixel value obtained by scan on a scan line at which the zipper image is produced is subtracted by the (n+1)th pixel value obtained by scan on the scan line. The absolute value of the result is then compared to a critical value. If the result is smaller than the critical value, the nth pixel is modified by the method.

Abstract: Systems and method for implementing anti-aliasing with image stabilizing subsystems for cameras are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment the method may comprise characterizing motion of a camera, characterizing aliasing for an image being photographed by the camera, and moving at least one optical element in the camera during exposure of the image for both stabilizing and anti-aliasing the image.

Abstract: A de-ringing device and a method thereof are provided. The de-ringing device, operative with a lookup table for storing a plurality of intensity coefficients, comprises a buffer and a de-ringing intensity determining unit. The buffer stores an input pixel sequence. The lookup table stores a plurality of intensity coefficients. The de-ringing intensity determining unit, coupled to the buffer and the lookup table, detects a plurality of pixel complexity of a first pixel group and a second pixel group associated with a target pixel in the pixel sequence, and looks up the lookup table according to the pixel complexities of the first pixel group and the second pixel group to output a de-ring intensity coefficient for the target pixel.

Abstract: A coding device having a specifying unit for specifying image region data to be processed for refreshing countermeasures in image data being coded based on that image data and a refreshing countermeasure unit for applying processing for refreshing countermeasures to image region data specified by the specifying unit when coding the image data.

Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a processor comprising registers, and a memory configured to store image data. The processor is configured to load portions of the image data into the registers and perform toner explosion compensation on the portions of the image data loaded in the registers, excluding image data loaded in boundary positions in the registers.

Abstract: Described is a technology in which a low resolution image is processed into a high-resolution image, including by a two interpolation passes. In the first pass, missing in-block pixels, which are the pixels within a block formed by four neighboring original pixels, are given values by gradient diffusion based upon interpolation of the surrounding original pixels. In the second interpolation pass, missing on-block pixels, which are the pixels on a block edge formed by two adjacent original pixels, are given values by gradient diffusion based upon interpolation of the values of those adjacent original pixels and the previously interpolated values of their adjacent in-block pixels. Also described is a difference projection process that varies the values of the interpolated pixels according to a computed difference projection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing method for producing enhanced halftone edges, particularly suited to those edges which only lie upon the background as apposed to those edges which abut other halftone screens. It utilizes a step of defining border pixels and a step of halftoning those border pixels in a different manner than the halftoning applied to the interior region of the tint or image segment. The preferred halftone for the border pixels will be related to the interior halftone by some number of common spatial frequency harmonics.

Abstract: A method includes making a first determination as to whether a current pixel has a value which reflects a mosquito noise artifact, and determining whether to apply a filtering process at the current pixel based on a result of the first determination. In addition, or alternatively, a method includes making a second determination as to whether a current pixel has a value which reflects a ringing artifact, and determining whether to apply a filtering process at the current pixel based on a result of the second determination.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus executes smoothing processing (reduction conversion) of an input image to acquire a smoothed image (reduced image), acquires a normalization parameter for normalization from the smoothed image, and normalizes pixel values of the input image based on the normalization parameter.

Abstract: System, method, and apparatus for smoothing of edges in images to remove irregularities are disclosed. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of image processing includes, identifying an edge in an image having an associated set of edge characteristics, determining the associated set of edge characteristics, and applying a low pass filter to a pixel of the edge based on the associated set of edge characteristics to generate a second image based on the image, wherein the edge in the image is smoothed in the second image. The method further includes generating a third image which is a blend of the original image and the second (edge-smoothed) image based on the associated set of edge characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of identifying an edge of an object in an image. The method comprises: identifying a segment of the image and a central pixel in the segment; identifying a set of mini-vectors as possible edges for the central pixel, utilizing a calculated gradient figure for the center pixel; and producing a reduced set of mini-vectors from the set of mini-vectors by removing mini-vectors that do not generate a continuous edge with an adjacent edge in an adjacent segment in the image.

Abstract: A noise removing filter removes noise from an input image and an edge component extracting unit extracts edge components. The edge components are extracted by calculating a difference between the input image and a smoothed image, which is obtained by smoothing the input image in a smoothed image generating portion. An edge component comparing unit compares the extracted edge components with a threshold value and a sum calculating unit calculates the sum of the edge components greater than the threshold value. A control circuit determines, the enhancement degree of the edges based on the sum and averaged luminance of the input image calculated by an average luminance calculating unit. An enhancement degree adjustment unit adjusts the determined enhancement degree, and an edge component enhancement unit enhances the edge components based on this enhancement degree and adds it to the input image to perform edge enhancement processing.

Abstract: A method is for filtering tomographic 3D images of an examination object. The examination object is imaged by using a volume model that divides the volume of the examination object into a multiplicity of three-dimensional image voxels with individual image values, wherein the image value of each voxel reproduces an object-specific property of the examination object in this volume. After the reconstruction of the total volume for each voxel, variances are calculated in a prescribed region or radius R in order to determine contrast jumps and their spatial orientation with their tangential planes T. The image values in the tangential plane T are filtered with a two-dimensional convolution, and subsequently the original voxel data are mixed in weighted fashion with the filtered voxel data.

Abstract: An artifact profile signal is generated representing an estimation of the contribution of artifacts to a reference signal G comprising these artifacts, in regions defined around the position of artifact generating element(s). Signal portions in these regions are extracted from the image signal. The artifact profile signal is deformed so as to generate a new artifact profile signal which is used for correction of the image signal that has been subjected to the above extraction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to smooth a jagged outline of a reconstructed text generated through any of a variety of systems, such as, for example, an image scanner. Given the reconstructed text with a jagged outline, the methods smooth the outline of the text first through location of horizontal and vertical edges, and subsequent gray scale reconstruction of the edge ink level from a one-bit or a low number of bits edge pattern. The methods then provide identification of the local text outline pattern and corresponding ink level adjustment of the center pixel. The methods produce text having very smooth horizontal and vertical edges. The methods then smooth slanted edges, mend holes in the text, and remove isolated pixels of ink.