Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Attribute control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-30
2001-05-08
Rogers, Scott (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Attribute control
C358S518000, C358S448000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229625
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique of determining image processing parameters set in an image conversion device which converts image data of an original into image recording data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an image conversion device that converts image data representing an image of an original into image recording data, the general technique causes the image of the original to be subjected to a variety of image processing operations, such as elimination of noise, color conversion, tone change, size alteration, and sharpening of the image, so as to give a high-quality image. The contents of the image processing are not fixed but varied according to the original and the requirements of the user for the desired output image. The conditions defining the contents of the image processing are set in the form of image processing parameters in an image processing apparatus. Optimum adjustment of these image processing parameters enables output of a high-quality image.
An apparatus has been proposed to improve the quality of the output image in this image conversion device. The proposed apparatus sets image processing parameters based on predetermined parameter conversion rules in the image conversion device and carries out image conversion with the image processing parameters. The operator evaluates a resulting recorded image and inputs corrected image processing parameters based on the result of evaluation. The parameter conversion rules are then modified to realize the corrected image processing parameters. This proposed structure enables the image processing parameters to be corrected according to the inputs of the user and gives a high-quality image that adequately reflects the requirement of the user.
The proposed apparatus, however, has the structure that requires the operator to directly input the corrected image processing parameters and thereby needs a skilled operator in the field of image processing. The quantity of adjustment of the picture quality which the operator requires based on the recorded image is correlated to the actually required variation of the corrected image processing parameters. There is, however, a subtle difference in the correlation among the subjects (for example, figures, still life, and landscape) of the original, and some skill is required to discriminate such a difference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is thus to enable even an unskilled operator in the field of image processing to give a high-quality image.
At least part of the above and the other related objects is realized by an apparatus for determining an image processing parameter set in an image conversion device which converts image data of an original into image recording data. The apparatus includes: an image information generating unit which analyzes the image data of the original and thereby generates specific information representing a characteristic of an image of the original, the specific information affecting a level of the image processing parameter; a first input unit which receives a keyword representing a condition to be referred to in the process of recording the image of the original; an inferring unit which infers the image processing parameter on the basis of the information and the input keyword; a second input unit which receives data representing a magnitude of a parameter adjuster that adjust the level of the image processing parameter; a correction value inferring unit which infers a correction value of the image processing parameter on the basis of the magnitude of the parameter adjuster and the input keyword; and a correction unit which corrects the image processing parameter inferred by the inferring unit on the basis of the correction value to obtain a corrected image processing parameter as the image processing parameter to be used in the image conversion device.
In the apparatus of the present invention, the inferring unit infers the image processing parameter based on the specific information representing a characteristic of the image of the original and the keyword. When the operator operates the parameter adjuster to adjust the level of the specified image processing parameter, the correction value inferring unit infers the correction value of the image processing parameter on the basis of the magnitude of the parameter adjuster and the keyword. The correction value reflects the magnitude of the parameter adjuster as well as the keyword. The correction unit corrects the image processing parameter on the basis of the correction value.
When the operator simply instructs a change of the image processing parameter through operation of the parameter adjuster, the apparatus of this structure infers the image processing parameter that reflects the keyword with respect to the image of the original. This structure enables even an unskilled operator in the field of image processing to determine the optimum image processing parameter.
In accordance with one preferable application, the apparatus further includes: a first setting unit which sets the image processing parameter inferred by the inferring unit into the image conversion device; a first display control unit which displays an image responsive to the image recording data output from the image conversion device on a display device according to the image processing parameter set by the first setting unit; a second setting unit which sets the corrected image processing parameter corrected by the correction unit into the image conversion device; and a second display control unit which displays the image recording data output from the image conversion device on the display device according to the corrected image processing parameter set by the second setting unit.
The operator checks the image recording data displayed on the display unit for the degree of the image processing parameter with respect to the image recording data. The operator thus simply operates the parameter adjuster according to the desired degree of the image processing parameter.
The apparatus of this structure may further include: an instruction input unit which receives an external operation instruction; and a switching control unit which selects and activates one of the first display control unit and the second display control unit in response to the operation instruction.
This structure enables selection of a desired image out of the images before and after the correction of the image processing parameter and display of the desired image on the display unit, in response to the external operation instruction. The operator can thus readily compare the image after the correction with the image before the correction and accurately evaluate the image after the correction.
In accordance with another preferable application, the apparatus further includes a correction value averaging unit which, when the data representing the magnitude of the parameter adjuster is input into the second input unit plural times, calculates an average of a plurality of the corrected values obtained by the correction value inferring unit and supplies the averaged correction value to the correction unit.
This structure gives the mean of the past data of the correction values. The mean represents the tendency of the user.
In accordance with one preferable structure of the apparatus, the inferring unit infers the image processing parameter according to a fuzzy logic. The fuzzy logic gives a compromising conclusion based on the composite information and enables highly accurate inference.
In accordance with another preferable structure of the apparatus, the keyword input into the first input unit has a first keyword indicative of a type of an object of the original picture and a second keyword indicative of a finishing state of the image recording data. This structure gives the image processing parameter based on the type of the object and the finishing state of the image recording data.
The present invention is also directed to a method of determining an image processing pa
Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co,. Ltd.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Rogers Scott
LandOfFree
Apparatus for determining image processing parameter, method... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for determining image processing parameter, method..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for determining image processing parameter, method... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2558206