Raising Or Lowering The Image Resolution (e.g., Subpixel Accuracy) Patents (Class 382/299)
  • Patent number: 8610746
    Abstract: A method of automatically tracking the portions of a 3D medical imaging volume, such as the voxels, that have already been displayed according to use-defined display parameters, notating those portions, and providing the user with information indicating what portions of the imaging volume have been displayed at full resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: DR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan K. Fram, Murray A. Reicher
  • Patent number: 8606040
    Abstract: An image conversion device is disclosed, having an image converting circuit for receiving a first and a second image frames of a first format and generating a third and a fourth image frames of a second format; and a signal generating circuit coupled with the image converting circuit for generating a plurality of first synchronization signals having a substantially fixed period and one or more second synchronization signals for the third and the fourth image frames, wherein each of the second synchronization signals is synchronized with one of the first synchronization signals and the third image frame contains at least one more first synchronization signal than the fourth image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: An-Shih Lee, Jou-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 8606048
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for scaling an image including: an operation position determining section for determining a pixel operation position, which is either a pixel inserting or deleting position, based on a scaling ratio; an inserting/deleting section for inserting/deleting a pixel to/from the pixel operation position determined by the operation position determining section; an error calculating section for calculating a density difference as an error between densities in a vicinity of the inserted/deleted pixel via the inserting/deleting section, before and after the insertion or deletion; and an error allocating section for allocating the error, calculated by the error calculating section, to the inserted pixel and pixels in a vicinity of the inserted or deleted pixel, so that a pixel value, after allocation, of a pixel of an allocation destination, falls within an allowable range estimated from a pixel value of a pixel near the pixel of allocation destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuhei Kurigata
  • Patent number: 8600195
    Abstract: An image processing device may include detection means for detecting a motion vector of an input image signal which is an input time-series image signal; interpolation means for interpolating, based on the motion vector, a signal between input image signals which is an image signal at an arbitrary time between the input image signal and a previous input image signal immediately preceding the input image signal, the interpolation means for further outputting an interpolated signal; acquisition means for acquiring superimposition information which indicates the position, in the input image signal, of a predetermined image signal to be superimposed on the input image signal; and specification means for specifying, based on the superimposition information, at least one non-interpolation region of the signal between input image signals in which the interpolation is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Urushihara, Masato Usuki, Takayuki Ohe, Kenkichi Kobayashi, Koji Moriya
  • Patent number: 8595918
    Abstract: An image taking system including: (a) a CMOS or CCD image sensor; (b) an interest-region setter configured to set regions of interest within an image taking area of the image sensor; (c) an acquiring-condition determiner configured to determine an image-data acquiring condition required for acquiring at least two image data generated in at least two of the regions of interest; and (d) an image-data acquirer configured to acquire the at least two image data. The acquiring-condition determiner includes an exposure-time determining portion configured to determine, as the image-data acquiring conditions, at least two different exposure times required for acquiring the at least two image data generated in the at least two regions of interest. The image-data acquirer includes an exposure-time-based-image-data acquiring portion configured to acquire the at least two image data, such that the acquired at least two image data are based on the at least two different exposure times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Machine Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Jindo, Kimihiko Yasuda, Tetsunori Kawasumi, Yasuhiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8594466
    Abstract: An image data converting device of at least one embodiment of the present invention for converting, by linear interpolation, input image data having a predetermined resolution into delta arrangement image data having a resolution that is smaller than the predetermined resolution, the image data converting device includes: an even line pixel value converting section for converting a value of each pixel in each even line in the input image data into a value of each pixel in each even line in the delta arrangement image data, by using a predetermined initial value for even lines; and an odd line pixel value converting section for converting a value of each pixel in each odd line in the input image data into a value of each pixel in each odd line in the delta arrangement image data, by using a predetermined initial value for odd lines, the predetermined initial value for odd lines being (1±?)/2(0???0.5) of the initial value for the even lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Tsuda, Tomohiro Morita, Yasumasa Yajima
  • Patent number: 8594444
    Abstract: A system and method for enhancing digital images is described. A digital image is transformed into a series of decomposed images in frequency bands, or different resolution grids. A decomposed image is noise suppressed and contrast enhanced. Representative value of signal at each pixel is computed based on contributions to signals from pixels in a neighborhood of the pixel. Lookup tables are applied to pixel values to selectively enhance signal in a predetermined range of signal strength. Another set of lookup tables are applied to pixel values to suppress noise components contained therein. Optionally, operations are applied to decomposed images to suppress quantum noise, enhance object edges or enhance global contrast, among others. These decomposed images, after signal enhancement and noise suppression, are then recombined to result in an enhanced image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Merge Healthcare Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Geiger, Vittorio Accomazzi
  • Patent number: 8594464
    Abstract: A method of operating a computer system to reconstruct a high-resolution frame from a set of low-resolution frames of a video sequence is described. The high-resolution frame may be displayed on a high-resolution display device such as a high-definition television (HDTV). Initial estimates and priors for each of a plurality of quantities including blur kernel, motion between frames, noise level, and the estimate of the high-resolution frame are determined. The initial estimates are refined using an iterative process that iterates between estimating each of the plurality of quantities based on the current estimates for the plurality of quantities. When it is determined that a quality metric is above a threshold, further iteration is halted and the high-resolution frame is output for storage and/or display. The process may be repeated for outputting a high-resolution video sequence based on an input low-resolution video sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Ce Liu
  • Patent number: 8587705
    Abstract: Methods and systems may provide for an image processing pipeline having a hardware module to spatially filter a raw image in the horizontal direction to obtain intermediate image data. The pipeline can also include a set of instructions which, if executed by a processor, cause the pipeline to spatially filter the intermediate image data in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: David Stanhill
  • Patent number: 8582922
    Abstract: To obtain a high resolution image from two or more low resolution images, positional offsets among the low resolution images are determined and the low resolution images are mapped onto a common plane according to the positional offsets. Pixel values in the high resolution image are calculated by weighted interpolation from the pixel values of the low resolution images, using interpolation coefficients that increases with increasing correlation with the pixel of interest. Correlation is determined by taking horizontal and vertical first and second derivatives of the pixel values in one low resolution image to find a direction of strong correlation. Appropriate interpolation is thereby obtained even near edges and other abrupt changes in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shotaro Moriya, Satoshi Yamanaka, Hidetsugu Suginohara
  • Patent number: 8582168
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus stores pixel data of an input image in a storage apparatus after performing resolution conversion encoding, and performs a pixel interpolation process after reading out the pixel data stored in the storage apparatus and performing resolution conversion decoding. The image processing apparatus determines, when resolution conversion encoding the pixel data of the input image, whether a resolution of the pixel data will decrease due to the pixel interpolation process, based on attribute information indicating an attribute of the pixel data, and performs processing to decrease the resolution of the pixel data in the resolution conversion encoding, if it is determined that the resolution will decrease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Hasui
  • Patent number: 8577183
    Abstract: A method samples a first spectral band to obtain an initial image frame, determines at least one region of interest of the scene from the initial image frame, each of the at least one region of interest associated with a mean signal level, illuminates the at least one region of interest with at least one illuminator when the mean signal level of the at least one region of interest is at or below a respective threshold of a first plurality of thresholds, the at least one region of interest being illuminated in accordance with a power threshold indicating a minimum illuminator power and agility necessary to illuminate the at least one region of interest, collects at least one image frame in at least one sub-band of a second spectral band, and generates at least one image to be displayed from at least the at least one image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Ian S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8577500
    Abstract: A robot apparatus includes: an image pickup device; a goal-image storing unit that stores, according to sensitivity represented by an amount of change of a pixel value at the time when a target aligned with a goal position on an image at a pixel level is displaced by a displacement amount at a sub-pixel level, goal image data in a state in which the target is arranged; and a target detecting unit that calculates a coincident evaluation value of the target on the basis of comparison of image data including the target and the goal image data stored by the goal-image storing unit and detects positional deviation of the target with respect to the goal position on the basis of the coincidence evaluation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Yamaguchi, Shingo Kagami, Kenji Matsunaga, Koichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8577762
    Abstract: Methods for initiating an electronic shopping transaction, for initiating a control operation for a user-selectable video game character, for emphasizing an advertisement in a computer generated display, and for presenting multiple GUIs in desktop user interfaces using detail-in-context graphical distortions. The method for initiating an electronic shopping transaction, for a user-selectable item presented in a computer generated original image on a display, comprising: receiving a selection signal for the item from a user; distorting the original image to produce a distorted region for the item to provide the user with detailed information for the item; and, receiving a purchase signal for the item from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Noregin Assets N.V., L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Baar, Ali Solehdin
  • Patent number: 8577184
    Abstract: A method and system for improving picture quality of color images by combing the content of a plurality of frames of the same subject; comprising: at least one processor; the at least one processor comprising a memory for storing a plurality of frames of a subject; the at least one processor operating to combine the content of plurality of frames of the subject into a combined color image by performing: a process in which at least two multicolored frames are converted to monochromatic predetermined color frames; a gross shift process in which the gross shift translation of one monochromatic predetermined color frame is determined relative to a reference monochromatic predetermined color frame; a subpixel shift process utilizing a correlation method to determine the translational and/or rotational differences of one monochromatic predetermined color frame to the reference monochromatic predetermined color frame to estimate sub-pixel shifts and/or rotations between the frames; and an error reduction process to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Shiqiong Susan Young
  • Patent number: 8571356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to generation of an appropriate high-resolution image with respect to a plurality of input images. An image processing apparatus including a unit for acquiring a relative movement amount for each first image between a reference image selected from a plurality of first images and the first images; a unit for generating a fourth image having a first resolution for each first image in accordance with a third image having a second resolution, the relative movement amounts, and image capture characteristics of an image capture device; a unit for acquiring, for each fourth image, an evaluation value indicating a difference between the fourth image and the first image corresponding to the fourth image; and a unit for generating a second image having the second resolution by updating the third image using an update value that is determined using the fourth images in accordance with the evaluation values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuichi Nakada
  • Patent number: 8571355
    Abstract: A method of reconstructing a high-resolution image by using multi-layer low-resolution images includes dividing a low-resolution image into a plurality of texture layer low-resolution images and a plurality of base layer low-resolution images; generating a texture layer high-resolution image by compositing the plurality of the texture layer low-resolution images and generating a base layer high-resolution image by compositing the plurality of the base layer low-resolution images; and outputting a high-resolution image by compositing the texture layer high-resolution image and the base layer high-resolution image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-seung Lee, Gi-yeong Gim, Jong-hyun Park
  • Patent number: 8571349
    Abstract: An image processing system enhances the resolution of an original image using higher-resolution image data from other images. The image processing system defines a plurality of overlapping partitions for the original image, each partition defining a set of non-overlapping site patches. During an optimization phase, the system identifies, for site patches of the original images, label patches within related images that are of most relevance. During a rendering phase independent of the optimization phase, an output image with enhanced resolution is synthesized by substituting, for site patches of the original image, the identified relevant label patches from the related images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc
    Inventors: Vivek Kwatra, Mei Han, Jay N. Yagnik
  • Patent number: 8570606
    Abstract: In a method to correct a registration error in a printing process, data of first and second images to be printed are subjected to a raster image process via which at least first and second raster graphics are generated. Control data for a print member or two respective print members are formed from the first and the second raster graphics. A recording medium is printed in a first printing process with the control data of the first image. The recording medium is subjected to a treatment via which the recording medium and the first image deform along at least one deformation axis. The recording medium is printed by the print member with the control data of the second image in a second printing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Océ Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Baeumler
  • Patent number: 8571354
    Abstract: A method of reducing the spatial resolution of images is disclosed. At least one embodiment of the method includes: —acquiring an input image including image parts having a spatial resolution larger than SR pixels/meter; —acquiring a depth map associated with the input image; —determining for each pixel p(x,y) a spatial resolution value by means of the depth map; —processing a region of pixels of the input image for which holds that the spatial resolution value is larger than a predefined threshold corresponding to SR pixels/meter to obtain a corresponding region of pixels having a spatial resolution smaller then or equal to SR pixels/meter in an output image. The method enables to removes privacy information from images by reducing the spatial resolution to a level that the privacy information cannot be recognized in the image anymore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Tomtom Global Content B.V.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Miksa, Marcin Michal Kmiecik
  • Publication number: 20130279826
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an image processing device and a processing method thereof. The image processing device comprises an image calibration module estimating multiple local motions and global motions of unselected images relative to a target image and performing multiple motions calibrations so as to generate multiple calibrated images, a moving-object detection module determining if a difference value between each of the local motions and the corresponding global motions is greater than a threshold value and if a pixel difference value between each pixel point of the target image and each pixel point of the calibrated images is greater than a predetermined difference value so as to generate multiple object motion pointers, and an image blending module performing a calculation on each pixel point of the target and calibrated images based on the object motion pointers so as to generate a super-resolution image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: CHE-LUN CHUANG, CHUNG-TA WU
  • Patent number: 8565555
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus for generating corrected image data from a plurality of input image data by performing an iterative calculation process includes an input unit configured to input the plurality of input image data, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a photographing parameter used for photographing to acquire the input image data, a setting unit configured to set for each image area a number of iterations for generating the corrected image data based on the photographing parameter, and a generation unit configured to generate correction data from the plurality of image data by performing an iterative calculation process on each image area based on the number of iterations set for each image area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Kotani
  • Patent number: 8565556
    Abstract: An image interpolation method obtains an image line pixel value between two adjacent image lines. The method acquires a luminance change of pixels of two image lines and decides a region of two image lines where only one portion similar to a part of the luminance change of one of the image lines exists in the luminance change of the other image line in the vicinity of the image to be interpolated. Then, among pixel sets located at the symmetric positions about the object image to be interpolated with respect to the pixel within the region, the set having the highest similarity is selected. By using the pixel value of the selected set, the pixel value of the pixel to be interpolated is decided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masato Toda
  • Patent number: 8564829
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus characterized by including; an area sensor unit that reads from an original document image a plurality of frames of image data having a shift of less than one pixel, an output resolution acquisition unit that obtains an output image resolution at which resolution the original document image read by the area sensor unit is output, an acquisition frame number control unit that controls a number of frames read by the area sensor unit according to a result of the output resolution acquisition unit, a correction unit that corrects an inclination of the frames of image data controlled by the acquisition frame number control unit, and a high resolution conversion unit that performs an interpolation processing using the plurality of frames of image data whose inclination is corrected by the correction unit to obtain image data in a resolution higher than a resolution during reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mizuki Muramatsu
  • Patent number: 8565551
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of reducing noise in range images, the apparatus including: a maximum likelihood detection unit calculating an equation of observation points disposed in a plurality of grids that constitute range images representing three-dimensional (3D) coordinate information, to satisfy maximum log-likelihood on each coordinate axis in a coordinate space represented by the range images based on probability distribution of coordinate values assigned to each of the observation points and neighboring observation points; a linearization unit transforming equations calculated on each of the observation points into a linear equation that is a linear system on each coordinate axis in a coordinate space; a constraint detection unit calculating a constraint equation in which a unit tangent vector of each observation point and a unit tangent vector of a neighboring point are identical with each other on each coordinate axis of the range images; and a noise reduction unit reducing noise in range images by app
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Chung-Ang University Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Kwang-Nam Choi, Jeong-Heon Kim
  • Patent number: 8554007
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a storage that stores, therein, edge position data indicating the position of a first edge image that represents a first edge of a first object image representing an object in a first image, a determination portion that detects a second edge image based on the edge position data and a specific scaling factor, the second edge image representing a second edge of a second object image that represents the object in a second image, the second image being obtained by modifying the size or the resolution of the first image by increasing the number of pixels by ? times (?>1) corresponding to the scaling factor, the second edge having a width equal to that of the first edge, and a removal portion that performs a process for deleting an edge of an inner area surrounded by the second edge image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8554018
    Abstract: [PROBLEMS] In a system for converting a low resolution image to a high resolution image, it is difficult to carry out processing to generate a high resolution image for each frame in real time using temporally continuous frame images. [MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] An image processing system includes a conversion parameter calculation unit 101, an initial image generation unit 102, a high resolution image generation unit 103, and an input image and conversion parameter storage unit 110, and converts the high resolution image generated at the previous frame in accordance with a current frame based on the conversion parameter for the current frame with respect to the previous frame so as to perform high resolution image generation processing of the current frame with the converted image as an initial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiko Iketani, Tomokazu Satou, Sei Ikeda, Masayuki Kanbara, Naokazu Yokoya
  • Patent number: 8548266
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image compression and decompression method, in particular in the areas of computer image processing and data compression. The currently, the process speed for which JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group, a compression standard) is applied, it's not all too satisfactory. One aspect of the present invention is simplify compression process based on particular features of an image, thus achieve the aim of accelerate the processing speed. Apply the process described in the present invention, the processing speed for JPEG compression/decompression would rise, without suffers quality reduction compare to current JPEG compression/decompression method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignees: Peking University Founder Group Co., Ltd., Beijing Founder Electronics Co., Ltd., Peking University
    Inventor: Jian Wang
  • Patent number: 8538200
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating super resolution images by building a set of multi-resolution bases from one or more training images; estimating a sparse resolution-invariant representation of an image, and reconstructing one or more missing patches at any resolution level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinjun Wang, Shenghuo Zhu, Yihong Gong
  • Patent number: 8538202
    Abstract: Super-resolution images may be produced by dividing a higher resolution image into a set of non-overlapping rectangular tiles of substantially the same size. Then, each pixel in each lower resolution image is mapped to the higher resolution image and it is determined which tiles are mapped to which lower resolution image pixels. A continuous buffer may be allocated for each tile and the relevant lower resolution pixels may be stored, together with optical flow vectors, in that continuous buffer. Then, the determination of gradients may use the information now stored in the buffer to facilitate symmetric multiprocessing using multi-core processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Oleg Maslov, Vadim Pisarevsky, Konstantin Rodyushkin
  • Patent number: 8538199
    Abstract: Non integer scaling of images to reduce artifacts is presented herein. One embodiment includes determining a scaling resolution based on a pixel resolution of the image and a pixel resolution of an output device (i.e., factors of the scaling resolution). The image is converted to the scaling resolution to change (e.g., increase) the pixels of the image by the first factor. A grid is generated to scale the converted image. The grid has a number of sections defined according to the second factor times the pixel resolution of an output device. The converted image is sectioned according to the grid. Each section of the grid includes an integer number of pixels of the converted image. The color values of the pixels of the converted image are averaged within each section of the grid to compute a single color value for each section of the grid and scale the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Productions Print Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Larry M. Ernst, Nenad Rijavec, Natalie Dawn Ross, Mikel J. Stanich, John T. Varga
  • Patent number: 8538159
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for real-time/on-line performing of multi-view multimedia applications are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of computing a disparity value of a pixel includes computing from two input images a plurality of first costs for a pixel, each cost associated with a region selected from a plurality of regions a first type, the regions covering the pixel and being substantially equal in size and shape. The method also includes computing from the first costs a plurality of second costs each associated with a region selected from a plurality of regions of a second type, the regions of the second type covering the pixel, at least some of the regions of the second type having a substantially different size and/or shape. The method further includes selecting from the second costs the minimal cost and selecting the corresponding disparity value as the disparity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: IMEC, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Inventor: Jiangbo Lu
  • Patent number: 8538201
    Abstract: The invention relates to upscaling of images such as upscaling of video images from standard definition to high definition. An input image is upscaled to a resolution enhanced image (207) by weighting pixel values in the input image depending on a match metric combining two match metrics. A first image generator (103) generates a blurred version of the input image and a second image generator (103) generates an upscaled interpolated version. The first metric is generated by comparing pixel sets of the blurred image and the upscaled interpolated image. A second metric is generated by comparing pixel sets of the input image and already synthesized pixel values of the resolution enhanced image (207). For each location in a search area, a resolution enhancement processor (107) generates the combined match metric and uses this to weigh the pixel value of that location when generating the unknown pixel value of the resolution enhanced image (207).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: TP Vision Holding B.V.
    Inventor: Chris Damkat
  • Patent number: 8537179
    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 intermediate image (D1); an intermediate image processing means (3M) generates an intermediate image (D3M) by suppressing low-level noise included in intermediate image (D1); an intermediate image processing means (3H) generates an intermediate image (D3H) by suppressing low-level noise included in intermediate image (D2); and an adding means (4) adds the input image (DIN) and intermediate image (D3M) and intermediate image (D3H) together to obtain a final output image (DOUT). Even if the input image includes a fold-over component on the high-frequency side or does not include an adequate high-frequency component, an enhanced image can be obtained without enhancing noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shotaro Moriya, Noritaka Okuda, Satoshi Yamanaka, Koji Minami
  • Patent number: 8538195
    Abstract: Provided is a method of hyperspectral image dimension reduction. The method includes receiving a hyperspectral image having a plurality of pixels. A set of basis vectors is established at least in part with respect to the spectral vectors of the initial hyperspectral image. For each pixel of the hyperspectral image, the spectral vector is read and decomposed, i.e. unmixed, with the basis vector set to provide at least a reduced dimension vector for each pixel. Collectively the reduced dimension vectors for each pixel represent the dimensionally reduced image. A system operable to perform the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Ian S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8526765
    Abstract: A super-resolution processor includes an N enlargement unit that generates an N-enlarged image by enlarging the input image by a factor N; an M enlargement unit that generates an M-enlarged image by enlarging the input image by a factor M; and a high-pass filter unit that extracts a high-frequency component of the M-enlarged image, as an M-enlarged high-frequency image. Additionally, a patch extraction unit extracts an estimated patch of a predetermined size from the M-enlarged high-frequency image, the estimated patch being a part of the M-enlarged high-frequency image; and an addition unit adds the estimated patch to a processing target block of the predetermined size in the N-enlarged image, to generate the output image, where M is smaller than N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Sakaguchi, Toru Matsunobu, Kenji Takita
  • Publication number: 20130223765
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire original image data expressing an original image that comprises a first type pixel and a second type pixel; and an enlargement processing unit configured to execute enlargement processing for the original image data to generate enlarged image data expressing an enlarged image that is obtained by enlarging the original image in a first direction. The enlargement processing unit includes: a pixel group selection unit configured to select a pixel group extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction in the enlarge image when a specific pattern configured by the first type pixel and the second type pixel is included in the original image; and a setting unit configured to set a pixel configuring the pixel group in the enlarged image as the second type pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryuji YAMADA
  • Patent number: 8520967
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for facilitating generation and editing of multiframe images. A method may include grouping a plurality of images into one or more groups of images. Each group of images may comprise a plurality of images depicting a common scene. The method may further include determining a reference image for at least one of the one or more groups of images. Each reference image may be associated with a respective group for which it was determined. The method may additionally include causing at least one reference image to be displayed to a user such that the user is enabled to select a displayed reference image to enhance using multiframe image processing to generate a multiframe image from a plurality of images from the group of images with which the selected displayed reference image is associated. Corresponding apparatuses are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Radu Ciprian Bilcu, Sakari Alenius, Markku Vehvilainen, Antti Eronen
  • Patent number: 8520099
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an imaging element, an image selection unit, and an image compositing unit. The image selection unit selects, from among a plurality of image data pieces of the image data generated by the imaging element, a first image data piece and a second image data piece. The image selection unit selects, as the second image data piece, an image data piece generated with light from an object that is received via first pixels of the imaging element and received via second pixels of the imaging element for generating the first image data piece. The image compositing unit generates composited image data by compositing the first image data piece and the second image data piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8520971
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are disclosed for resampling a digital image. According to an implementation, a source image can be presharpened and upsampled to a first upsampled image having a specified image size and a first level of presharpening. The source image is also presharpened and upsampled to a second upsampled image having the specified image size and second level of presharpening that is less than the first level of presharpening. The first and second upsampled images are deblurred. A binary edge mask image is generated from the deblurred, upsampled images. The binary edge mask image is dilated and blurred to generate a deep mask image. The first and second, deblurred upsampled images are blended together using the deep mask image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Richard E. Crandall, Jason Alexis Klivington, Rudolph van der Merwe, Mark Alan Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8520978
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided to accommodate decision support and reference case management for diagnostic imaging. An apparatus may include a processor configured to receive a request for an image from a client device. The processor may be further configured to retrieve a source image corresponding to the requested image from a memory. The processor may additionally be configured to process the source image to generate a second image having a greater resolution than the source image. The processor may also be configured to provide the second image to the client device to facilitate viewing and manipulation of the second image at the client device. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: McKesson Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Rex Jakobovits
  • Patent number: 8515209
    Abstract: While a natural image having a resolution of 600 dpi is enlarged at a predetermined magnification ratio and is printed at a resolution of 1200 dpi, if the magnification ratio is equal to or more than two, the natural image is enlarged by using a nearest neighbor method. If the magnification ratio is less than two, a reduction image is generated by reducing an enlargement image obtained by enlarging an object image based on a magnification ratio to 1/2, and the reduction image is enlarged to twice the size by using the nearest neighbor method. The natural image obtained by enlarging in this manner is compressed and encoded by using prediction encoding and run-length encoding with which a run-length value having a prediction error of 0 is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventor: Naoto Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8515197
    Abstract: An image resolution enhancing device and method for a display panel are provided. The image resolution enhancing method includes the following steps. Enlarge the image resolution of a first image to obtain a second image. Shrink the image resolution of the second image to obtain a third image. Implement a subtraction operation on the first image and the third image, so as to obtain a difference image. Enlarge the image resolution of the difference image to obtain an enhancing image. Implement an addition operation on the enhancing image and the second image, so as to obtain a fourth image with high image resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng-Chao Kao, Hsiang-Tan Lin, Pei-Lin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8515210
    Abstract: An imaging device made of a single-chip type including a RGB Bayer pattern color filter is where pixel signals outputted from the imaging device are inputted through a signal processing part to an image processing part. A correlation judgment part judges a correlation between the pixel signals, and an interpolation processing part performs a pixel interpolation process based on a correlation result. Thus, each pixel signal becomes a perfect signal having all R, G and B color components. Filter factors for a filter are determined based on the correlation result, and a filtering process is performed on the pixel signals subjected to the pixel interpolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Megachips Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromu Hasegawa, Yusuke Nara
  • Patent number: 8514290
    Abstract: A camera-shake correction apparatus includes an image capturing unit configured to capture an object image, a camera-shake detection unit configured to detect a camera-shake applied to the camera-shake correction apparatus, a correction unit configured to correct the camera-shake of the object image by moving a correction member based on a camera-shake signal detected by the camera-shake detection unit, and a control unit configured to measure an amplitude of the camera-shake or a frequency of the camera-shake, or both the amplitude of the camera-shake and the frequency of the camera-shake, based on the camera-shake signal supplied from the camera-shake detection unit, and the control unit further configured to control to hold the correction member at a latest position if it is determined that the measured amplitude is smaller than a predetermined amplitude or if it is determined that the measured frequency is lower than a predetermined frequency, or if it is determined that the measured amplitude is smaller
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8509558
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses (100, 400, 1000), and computer program products for generating an enhanced digital image (490, 495, 1022) comprising a plurality of pixels are disclosed. Using a first digital image (420, 1020) captured from a first camera (124) and parity bits (410, 415, 1010) generated from a second digital image captured by a second camera (122, 126), a third digital image (445, 447, 1045) is constructed. The second camera (122, 126) captures the second image at a resolution different to the resolution of the first camera (124) capturing the first image (420, 1020). A disparity map (455, 457, 1055) between the first image (420, 1020) and the third image (445, 447, 1045) is determined (450, 452, 1050). One of the first image (420, 1020) and the third image (445, 447, 1045) is enhanced (470, 472, 1070) dependent upon the determined disparity map (455, 457, 1055) to generate the enhanced digital image (490, 495, 1022).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Zhonghua Ma, Axel Lakus-Becker, Ka-Ming Leung
  • Patent number: 8503828
    Abstract: An image processing device for super resolution is disclosed. The device comprises an upsampling section, a motion compensated image generating section, a blend processing section and an output image generating section wherein filtering processing necessary for generating a difference information is performed twice or less, so that miniaturization of the device and an improvement in processing efficiency are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yuhi Kondo, Takefumi Nagumo, Jun Luo
  • Publication number: 20130195380
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein for converting presentations between differing slide dimensions and aspect ratios. During dimensional conversion of a slide, foreground objects placed on the slide by a user are dimensionally scaled and repositioned on the slide based on a change in the overall dimensions of the slide, while background objects on the slide originating from a slide master associated with the slide are replaced with corresponding background objects from a new template associated with the new aspect ratio of the slide. Any content and/or properties of the old background objects on the slide are copied to the corresponding background objects on the dimensionally converted slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Maloney, Muhammad Asim Goheer, Jesse Patrick Harvey
  • Patent number: 8494299
    Abstract: A digital image acquisition system includes a portable apparatus for capturing digital images and a digital processing component for detecting, analyzing and informing the photographer regarding motion blur, and for reducing camera motion blur in an image captured by the apparatus. The digital processing component operates by comparing the image with at least one other image, for example a preview image, of nominally the same scene taken outside the exposure period of the main image. In one embodiment the digital processing component identifies at least one feature in a single preview image which is relatively less blurred than the corresponding feature in the main image, calculates a point spread function (PSF) in respect of such feature, and de-convolves the main image using the PSF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation Europe Limited
    Inventors: Eran Steinberg, Peter Corcoran, Yury Prilutsky
  • Patent number: 8493476
    Abstract: The present invention provides a video in which a subject image looks clear while reducing the amount of transmitted data. An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing section that successively captures a plurality of images under a plurality of image capturing conditions different from each other; an image generating section that generates an output image by overlapping the plurality of captured images captured under the plurality of image capturing conditions; and an output section that outputs the output image generated by the image generating section. The image capturing section may successively capture the plurality of images by means of exposure in different exposure time lengths from each other. The image capturing section may successively capture the plurality of images also by means of exposure in different aperture openings from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Yonaha, Hirokazu Kameyama