Abstract: An image processing method includes a difference extraction step (103) of outputting a frame difference signal from an input image signal and from an image signal that has been frame-delayed so that a base value of noise of the film image is acquired from a portion of the film image of a 2-3 pull-down scheme where a signal that is identical every five fields, an integration step (107) of accumulating output signals of the difference extraction step, a detection step (106) that a difference of the entire frames is small based on the output signal of the difference extraction step, and an acquisition step (108) of acquiring, as a noise amount, an integrated value of the frame in the integrated step at timing when it is detected in the detection step that a difference of the entire frames is small. With this, noise is detected by the image processing method. A noise reduction step (113) is carried out using a result of the detection of noise.

Abstract: A noisy signal analysis in which a threshold value is set to evaluate the presentation of the display device. The analysis can produce the range of noise level of the image for measuring the distortion block of image caused by the display devices. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a step function generator for producing step functions, a transforming unit for changing threshold value in step functions, and a display for showing the image corresponding to both the high value and low value.

Abstract: A method and system with which quality of an image derived from or addressed to a chain of appliances can be modified. Formatted information related to defects of the appliances is employed. The method and system: compile directories of sources of formatted information related to the appliances, search automatically for the formatted information related to the appliances, and modify the image automatically by image-processing software and/or image-processing components by taking into account the obtained formatted information. The formatted information can be modified as a function of variable characteristics of the image to be processed and/or the appliances. With the method and system it is possible to process images derived from appliances that have diverse origins and that have been commercialized gradually over time. Such a method and system are applicable to processing of photographic or video images and in optical instrumentation, industrial controls, robotics, metrology, etc.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing input-image data to output output-image data. The apparatus includes a plurality of image processing units operable to detect an edge-gradient direction having a largest gradient of a pixel value and an edge direction orthogonal to the edge-gradient direction for each pixel of the input-image data, to perform edge-enhancement processing on the input-image data in the edge-gradient direction, and to perform smoothing processing on the input-image data in the edge direction; and an integration unit operable to integrate the image data output from the plurality of image processing units to generate the output-image data. The plurality of image processing units have different characteristics set for use with detecting the edge-gradient direction and the edge direction.

Abstract: Video frames that contain text areas are selected from given video frames by removing redundant frames and non-text frames, the text areas in the selected frames are located by removing false strokes, and text lines in the text areas are extracted and binarized.

Abstract: An image correction apparatus stores therein a plurality of correction curves for determining a correction amount, calculates a feature value of average brightness in an input image, determines whether the calculated feature value is equal to or greater than a first threshold, and, for the input bright image with the feature value equal to or greater than the first threshold, counts the number of pixels equal to or less than a second threshold in the input image. The image correction apparatus calculates a feature value of average brightness from pixel values of the counted pixels, on a basis of whether the calculated feature value is equal to or greater than a third threshold, or, whether the number of pixels equal to or greater than the third threshold is a fourth threshold or more, obtains a correction curve to correct the input image.

Abstract: A blind image restoration method restores a motion blurred image and a blur kernel is estimated based on an intrinsic bi-level image region of the motion blurred image. In addition, the blur kernel is iteratively estimated. When the blur kernel is iteratively estimated, bi-level image priors are introduced to achieve better image restoration.

Abstract: In an image processor, a data corrector corrects input image data, a determining unit determines an output tone value of a target pixel from the corrected image data and threshold, and a calculator calculates a difference between the output tone value and the corrected image data as an error value. The threshold is set in such manner that a rate of change of the mean error of the error values with respect to a change in the input tone value is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing uneven brightness in an image from a particle based image system. This uneven brightness is most often seen as regions of shadow, but may also be seen as regions of over brightness. In cases where the uneven brightness is in the form of shadowing, the method corrects for the shadowy regions by first identifying the area of shadow, obtaining brightness information from a region near the shadow, where the brightness is optimal, applying statistical methods to determine the measured brightness as a regression function of the optimal brightness, and number and proximity of shadowy objects, then correcting the shadow area brightness by calculating the inverse of the function of the shadow brightness. With this method, the brightness within the shadowy or over brightness regions are corrected to appear at a substantially similar level of brightness as the region of optimal brightness in the image.

Abstract: A method for compressing image data includes a first step for dividing image data into predetermined areas and determining a representative value about density of pixels in each area, a second step for determining density of pixels included in each area by using the representative value of the area and an interpolation rule, a third step for determining reproducibility of an image obtained, on the basis of the density of pixels determined in the second step, by using the image data and a dither pattern that is used for a pseudo gradation process performed on the image data, and a fourth step for encoding, on the basis of the representative value determined in the first step, for areas that are determined to have a good reproducibility in the third step.

Abstract: A system for correcting image characteristic data from a plurality of pixels comprises at least one field programmable gate array (FPGA), a lookup table, and a correction module. The FPGA may include a plurality of configurable logic elements and a plurality of configurable storage elements. The lookup table may be accessible by the FPGA and may store a plurality of correction components associated with each pixel, including a gain value, an offset value, and a bad pixel value. The correction module may be formed from the configurable logic elements and configurable storage elements and may receive the characteristic data and the correction components. The correction module may generate corrected data for each characteristic data by utilizing the gain value, the offset value, and the bad pixel value.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, and computer program products for image noise reduction. In one example embodiment, a method for reducing noise in a digital image includes several acts. First, one or more objects are identified in an input image. Next, the input image or a portion thereof is processed to produce another image, which may be a blurred version of the input image. Finally, one or more objects in the processed image that correspond to the one or more objects identified in the input image are evaluated to determine whether to discard the one or more objects identified in the input image. For example, if an amount of energy preserved in an object after blurring is less than a threshold, the object may be discarded as noise.

Abstract: A method for diffusing errors in a display device. Each frame of an input video signal is separated into at least two independent subframes. An error diffusion process is applied to each subframe of at least two independent subframes. The errors transmitted reciprocally from subframes are partially mixed, and the error diffusion process is applied to the mixed errors at each independent subframe.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image input device that reads an original image and obtains image data from the original image by selecting one of plural types of image reading modes of the image input device, an image pre-processing mechanism that performs at least one pre-processing relative to the image data obtained by the image input device, an image pre-processing selecting mechanism that selects at least one pre-processing according to the image reading mode selected by the image input device and causes the image pre-processing mechanism to perform the selected at least one pre-processing, and an information extracting mechanism that extracts specific information included in the image data subjected to the at least one pre-processing performed by the image pre-processing mechanism.

Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed which uses gain information from an input image to determine a threshold value used to filter the input image. The gain information is indicative of the amount of illumination of the input image and thus the noise level. The image processing system includes an image processor, a converter and a filter. The image processor receives and processes first image information into second image information and extracts the gain information from the first image information. The converter converts the gain information into a filter threshold, which is used by the filter to filter the second image information to provide filtered image information. The converter may include a lookup table storing noise characteristic estimates or the threshold values. The threshold values may further be based on subband size. The filter may be a wavelet-based transform denoising filter.

Abstract: An image recognition apparatus is capable of recognizing an image of an object of interest with high recognition accuracy even when the object is difficult to recognize only from image information acquired by an image pickup apparatus. The image recognition apparatus includes image information acquisition means for capturing image information of an image taken on a road, road feature information acquisition means for acquiring, from map information, road feature information C associated with a feature in the neighborhood of a position where the image information is taken, and image information recognition means for recognizing the image information using the road feature information C to recognize an image of an object to be recognized corresponding to the feature included in the image information.

Abstract: A method for the automatic detection of fields or frames in film or video content having similar or substantially the same luminance or color component values, for example to detect black frames. Image sample values are assigned to a sample value range having a signed weight associated therewith, and a contribution to a discriminator function is determined for each sample range depending on the signed weight and the number of input samples in the sample value range. The discriminator function output is then compared with a threshold.

Abstract: The image pickup system for performing noise reduction processing on signals from an image pickup element comprises a first noise estimating unit for estimating a first amount of noise on the basis of a target pixel in the signals for which noise reduction processing is performed, an extraction unit for extracting similar pixels that resemble the target pixel from the neighborhood of the target pixel on the basis of the target pixel and the first amount of noise, a second noise estimating unit for estimating a second amount of noise from the target pixel and the similar pixels, and a noise reduction unit for reducing the noise of the target pixel on the basis of the second amount of noise.

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: A method of processing information items, the method comprises the steps of: for an information item comprising primarily text information: analysing text information of the information item to detect a set of constituent information elements relating to that information item; detecting for each of the constituent information elements a respective degree of relative significance based on the frequency and/or nature of occurrence of the constituent information elements with respect to that information item; selecting a subset of at least two most significant constituent information elements; and generating a pseudo-image representative of the information item, the representative pseudo-image comprising the selected subset of constituent information elements arranged in a predetermined image layout such that: the most significant constituent information element of the subset is represented with most prominence and at a first predetermined region within the representative pseudo-image; and the one or more oth

Abstract: For binarizing an image, which is composed of pixels, the image is split into two semi-images. Local parameters are initialized based on values of pixels that lie in an area adjacent to a boundary separating the semi-images. A binarization is then performed separately for each of the semi-images using an adaptive threshold, wherein the adaptive threshold is calculated for each of the semi-images proceeding from the initialized local parameters.

Abstract: An image processing method of quantizing multi-tone image data by an error diffusion method, includes the steps of a) detecting change of the image data; and b) oscillating cyclically in image space a threshold for the quantization in an oscillation range controlled according to the detection result of the step a).

Abstract: A method and computer program product for processing a digital image is disclosed. A foreground region relating to an imaged object is estimated, a background region relating to other than the imaged object is estimated, and by using the image, the estimated foreground region and the estimated background region, a transition region disposed between the foreground region and the background region is calculated. The estimated foreground region, the estimated background region, and the calculated transition region, each include a separate set of pixels that may each be processed separately for suppressing pixel intensities in the estimated background region and improving image quality.

Abstract: A line thinning algorithm (LTA) for a grayscale input image, wherein the LTA is a separable algorithm that performs on each row of input grayscale image sequentially from top to bottom and subsequently on each column from left to right, independently. The LTA is very robust to the noise and is capable of thinning lines even in noisy image areas. The level of thinning is fully adaptive to the transition range and dynamic range locally in each line segment. Furthermore, the LTA for a black line can be easily generalized for a white line counterpart by simply switching the sign of one parameter DELTA from positive to negative without changing other aspects of the LTA.

Abstract: A post-processing manager provides reconstructed block based picture post-processing that is uncoupled from picture decoding by dividing a reconstructed image that was encoded using block based processing into non-overlapping blocks, creating a DC image by computing the DC value of each block, creating a zero mean image by subtracting the DC value of each block from the corresponding pixels of that block, filtering the DC image and adding the filtered DC image to the zero mean image. A weak filtering operation can be applied to reduce blocking artifacts, and a strong filtering operation can be applied to smooth luminance transitions.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a plurality of photo-diodes that operate as optical pixels arranged in a plurality of columns on a single CMOS substrate. The outputs of the multiple pixel sensors, or photo-diodes, are examined to determine if a one pixel, or a region of pixels are in saturation. If so, then the pixel gain is adjusted to correct or compensate for the image distortion in the region. For example, the gain of the charging amplifier or operational amplifier can be adjusted to correct for saturation. This can be done in real-time since hardware is being tuned for the correction instead of software.

Abstract: An image processing method includes the steps of inputting image data representing an input image, acquiring an image size of a face image which has the maximum image-face size contained in the input image, and correcting the image data using a first correcting condition in accordance with the acquired image size. An image processing apparatus includes an input section, an acquisition section, and a corrector, performing the input, acquiring, and correction steps, respectively. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for causing a computer to perform an image processing method including the input, acquiring, and correction steps.

Abstract: An apparatus divides an original image into a plurality of areas, computes a characteristic amount for the plurality of areas, and computes a statistic amount for estimation of the status of an image using the characteristic amount. The statistic amount is compared with a predetermined value, a correcting parameter for correcting an image is determined based on the comparison result, and the original image is corrected using the correcting parameter. Thus, appropriate corrections can be made to images of various types and statuses.

Abstract: A method for correcting colored fringe artifacts in a region of an image around saturated pixels captured by an electronic imager associated with a color filter array, includes providing a threshold map of the image based on thresholding one or more color channels with a common or separate threshold value for each color channel; providing a first edge map by dilating the threshold map as a function of the color fringe width, producing a first dilated threshold map and subtracting the threshold map from the first dilated threshold map; and color-desaturating image pixels that correspond to the first edge map.

Abstract: In the image pickup system of the present invention, factors that have an effect on noise such as the signal level, temperature of the CCD during shooting, exposure time, gain and the like are dynamically acquired, the noise level of the CCD is estimated, for example, for each pixel by a noise estimating unit, and signal components equal to or less than this noise level in the video signals are suppressed by a noise reducing unit, so that a high-quality image that is substantially free of noise is obtained while preserving the edges of the image and the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing threshold stamping are disclosed. A pixel intensity value for a first pixel may be determined. A pixel value for the first pixel may be retrieved from a memory location corresponding to the first pixel. A threshold delta value may then be determined based on the pixel value and added to a base threshold value to produce a threshold value. If the pixel intensity value exceeds the threshold value, a plurality of pixel values corresponding to a plurality of pixels may be updated. The plurality of pixels may include the first pixel and one or more second pixels. Otherwise, the pixel value for the first pixel may be updated.

Abstract: A detection unit which includes an image display panel, brightness averaging unit, scene changeover detection unit, and brightness suppression unit in order to provide an image display apparatus having an ABL that does not give the observer any visual sense of incompatibility without increasing the circuit scale determines the presence/absence of a scene changeover on the basis of the frame differential or second order differential of the average brightness. If a scene changeover takes place, the display brightness is changed quickly, and if no scene changeover occurs, changed slowly.

Abstract: A method of removing ringing and blocking artifacts from a decompressed digital image. In one method, a background value of the digital image a background region and foreground regions is determined, and a threshold value is computed. A mapping of the digital image is then generated by thresholding the digital image based on the threshold value to produce a thresholded image, and enlarging the foreground regions of the thresholded image to form a map image. The mapping includes the background pixels of the map image. The background region of the decompressed digital image is then cleansed based on the mapping. In an alternate method, ringing artifacts are removed from a decompressed digital image based on a signal-to-noise ratio of the image. In yet another alternate embodiment, ringing artifacts are from a decompressed digital color image that includes a chrominance channel and a luminance channel. An alternate embodiment removes ringing and blocking artifacts.

Abstract: In a threshold matrix generation part 3 implemented by a computer, a tint image in a specified gray level is generated from temporary lighting order set in a matrix area, and a smoothing operation is performed on the tint image, to generate a grayscale evaluation image. The lighting order is modified by changing ordinal numbers in the lighting order of respective positions included in specified areas in the matrix area which correspond to areas around boundaries of halftone dot areas in the tint image on the basis of values of corresponding pixels in the evaluation image.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an abnormal pixel detection device configured to examine a value of standard white image data, which is acquired by reading a white image to be a standard for a shading correction, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, to determine whether or not pixels are abnormal, wherein a previously specified value is stored for use as the standard white image data for pixels which are determined to be abnormal by the abnormal pixel detection device. As a result, costs of the image reading apparatus can be reduced because a special memory device for memorizing the positions of abnormal pixels is not required.

Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting an image taken by a webcam. After providing a first threshold value, an environmental reference value is calculated according to an exposure time and an average brightness value. The environmental reference value is compared with the first threshold value to determine whether to enter a noise-reduction mode to reduce noises of the image.

Abstract: An image processing method applied in an image processor for processing an image including first pixels each having a corresponding pixel value. The pixel values of first pixels are distributed within a first distribution range. Second pixels comprise a region and are obtained from first pixels when a difference between pixel values of adjacent second pixels is less than a predetermined value. Gained pixel values are obtained after applying a gain to the image. An amount of distortion is obtained by summing up weighted differences between a reference pixel value and gained pixel value of first pixels having gained pixel value not distributed within first distribution range. A weighting factor does not equal to 1 when first pixel is within the region, and equals to 1 when first pixel is outside the region. The gain is updated according to the distortion. Processed image is obtained by applying the updated gain.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having an arithmetic processing section for quantizing multi-density level image data and converting the image data into digital halftone image data for outputting. The arithmetic processing section is configured to create a plurality of quantized patterns to determined a dot occurrence information sequence, based on a given initial quantized pattern, such that anti-correlation is increased with respect to the dot occurrence information sequence for a pixel that has already been quantized; to add the plurality of quantized patterns to form a dither mask; and to quantize the multi-density level image data by using the dither mask.

Abstract: Filtering image information to generate a dithered image includes receiving input image information corresponding to an image generated using a first array comprising a first number of smaller pixels. Intermediate image information is generated from the input image information. The intermediate image information is generated to produce the image using a second array comprising a second number of larger pixels, where the second number less than the first number. A frequency response associated with the image produced using the second array exhibits effects. The intermediate image information is repeatedly filtered to generate updated image information from the intermediate image information and to compensate for the effects. Sub-image information is generated from the updated image information, the sub-image information corresponding to a dithered image.

Abstract: A method for enhancing video or other multimedia in order to achieve a closer-to-movie theater viewing experience. The enhancement method can be applied to YUV or other video formats which are used for TV or digital media. The method provides a curve with at least one inflection point such that at least one region has a concave upward arc and another region has a concave downward arc. The improved curve provides relatively less contrast in relatively dark regions and relatively more contrast in relatively bright regions. By taking into account the visual sensitivity to various luminance levels, a neutral point is selected to be located at a relatively dark point. To the darker side of the neutral point, luminance is suppressed. To the brighter side of the neutral point, luminance is enhanced. This luminance-mapping curve is applied to the luminance (Y) signal so as to enhance both brightness and contrast.

Abstract: A method and system for performing error diffusion are disclosed. An ordered set of pixels, including a pixel intensity value for each pixel, is received. Each pixel intensity value includes a value within a range from a low value to a high value, inclusive. An initial error value is also received. Based on the pixel intensity values and the initial error value, a pixel value for each pixel and an updated error value are computed substantially simultaneously with each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately auto focusing a lens of an imaging device. An imaged scene is split into an array of zones. The minimum and maximum sharpness score for each zone is determined over a plurality of lens positions. A histogram of the lens positions of the corresponding maximum weighted sharpness score for each zone is created. The peak of the histogram is determined to be the best focus position for a given scene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for performing rapid and programmable analysis of data. The present invention relates to a reconfigurable detector comprising at least one array of a plurality of pixels, where each of the plurality of pixels can be selected to receive and read-out an input. The pixel array is divided into at least one pixel group for conducting a common predefined analysis. Each of the pixels has a programmable circuitry programmed with a dynamically configurable user-defined function to modify the input. The present detector also comprises a summing circuit designed to sum the modified input.

Abstract: A method of photo/text separation, which includes converting a document image into a plurality of source color planes, setting a source color consecutive point threshold (Tc), performing an intensity/color operation for each of the source color planes, and assigning photo/text types to the document image according to a connected length density threshold (Td) and a result of the intensity/color operation.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing, measuring and analyzing motion in real-time is provided which operates with or without markers. A threshold image is based on a background image and is created to minimize noise during the motion capture. A captured image is compared to the threshold image to identify collections of hot pixels or globs. The globs are compared to expected characteristics of the markers or the subject and are tracked between frames. Glob information is used to determine the location of the markers or subject in each frame.

Abstract: An error utilization factor line, indicative of a relationship between the amount of the error utilization factor K and input data for a present pixel, is determined dependently on characteristics of the image, on the value of the threshold, on the size of the distribution matrix, or on the condition of the recording operation. The amount of the error utilization factor K is determined dependently on the input data of the present pixel and based on the error utilization factor line. The correction amount F, collected from the already-processed nearby pixel, is multiplied by the error utilization factor K, before being added to the input data of the present pixel for the halftone process.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and machine-readable media for segmenting and enhancing images are described. In one aspect, gradient magnitude values at respective pixels of a given image are determined. The gradient magnitude values are thresholded with a global threshold to produce thresholded gradient magnitude values. The pixels are segmented into respective groups in accordance with a watershed transform of the thresholded magnitude values. A classification record is generated. The classification record labels as background pixels ones of the pixels segmented into one of the groups determined to be largest in size and labels as non-background pixels ones of the pixels segmented into any of the groups except the largest group.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a denoise method on Gaussian/Laplacian image pyramid, which integrates Pyramid analysis/synthesis algorithm, MMSE (minimum mean square error) filter and NL (non local) filter on the image pyramid to reconstruct and output a denoised image of an original input image through a plurality of iterative procedures, and utilizes an auto-adaptive noise estimation algorithm to find parameter of noise level used by the NL filter, so as to be easily embedded in mobile or handheld devices for obtaining better noise removing and anti-shaking results and remove noise much faster than the conventional denoise method, but only with less quality loss.

Abstract: A black level correcting device includes: an A/D converting section converting a result of subtracting a feedback signal from an input pixel signal into a pixel value to be output; and a feedback controlling section generating the feedback signal and having a holding section, a feedback gain adjusting section, etc. The holding section clamps a maintaining level to the level of the feedback signal while pixel signals of OB pixels are output, and maintains and outputs the maintaining level while pixel signals of valid pixels are output. The feedback gain adjusting section multiplies the feedback signal by clamp accelerating gain in synchronization with starting readout of the pixel signals from the OB pixels. Accordingly, clamp time of the holding section is shortened, enabling stabilization of the maintaining level at a convergence level before starting readout of the pixel signals from the valid pixels. Consequently, a sag can be reduced.

Abstract: A computer system for registering synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images includes a database for storing SAR images to be registered, and a processor for registering SAR images from the database. The registering includes selecting first and second SAR images to be registered, individually processing the selected first and second SAR images with an anisotropic diffusion algorithm, and registering the first and second SAR images after the processing. A shock filter is applied to the respective first and second processed SAR images before the registering. Elevation data is extracted based on the registered SAR images.