Image analysis – Applications – 3-d or stereo imaging analysis
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-20
2001-04-24
Bella, Matthew C. (Department: 2621)
Image analysis
Applications
3-d or stereo imaging analysis
C382S168000, C382S172000, C382S194000, C356S370000, C356S390000, C358S296000, C358S426010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222938
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to compensating pixel records, and more particularly to such compensation for facilitating detecting image disparity between related images.
BACKGROUND
Heretofore image disparity between related images has been detected by comparing pixel pairs in image correspondence. Correlation or “tiling” techniques involving distance functions and matching tiles of perhaps 16×16 pixels (or other sub-array configurations) in each pixel record were employed to establish the pixel pairs. Typically the mean value of the greyscale variation across a reference tile in one pixel record was correlated with the mean value of the greyscale variation of a string of candidate tiles in the other pixel record. Each of the 16 pixels in the best matching candidate tile were considered to be in image correspondence with the corresponding 16 pixels in the reference tile. The image disparity between corresponding pixels is caused by XY address displacement in position between the pixel pairs. In stereoscopic view applications, the greyscale disparity between corresponding pixel pairs in the left/right related images (the signal) reveals depth information about each pixel pair. However, the imaging procedure of exposing the image to photo sensors recording the image onto the sensors and processing the recorded image, present inherent image-wide distortions introducing background noise which dilutes the depth signal. These prior disparity detection systems did not compensate for these distortions to increase the signal-to-noise ratio.
SUMMARY
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide apparatus and method which enhances pixel records of related images by compensating parameter codes therein for determining image disparity between the related images.
It is another object of this invention to provide such apparatus and method employing selected parameter code levels along the code scale of the compensated parameter.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such apparatus and method which permits iteration of the compensation process to further enhance the pixel records.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such apparatus and method which permits iteration termination independently on a code level by code level basis.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such apparatus and method which enhance multiple parameter codes in the pixel records.
Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing apparatus and method for compensating two pixel records of related images which facilitate comparison of a parameter obtained from the related images. A first memory contains a pixel record of a first related image, and a second memory contains a pixel record of a second related image. Each pixel record has pixel addresses. Each pixel address stores a parameter code defining a parameter level along a code scale of levels of a parameter common to the related images. A pairer establishes a set of pixel pairs in image correspondence. Each pair has a first pixel from an address in the first pixel record containing an increment of the first related image. Each pair also has a second pixel from a corresponding address in the second pixel record containing a corresponding increment of the second related image. A sample generator determines discrepancy between the code levels of each pixel pair in accordance with a discrepancy function. The sample generator provides animage population of code discrepancy samples between the pixel records. A profile extractor extracts a population profile of code discrepancy samples from the image population at each parameter code level to provide a series of population profiles. A profile reducer reduces each population profile to a single profile value. The profile reducer provides a series of single profile values, one value for each parameter code level. A pixel compensator responds to the series of single values to provide a series of compensation data, one compensation data for each parameter code level. The compensation data compensates the stored parameter codes to provide enhanced parameter codes which facilitate comparison of the parameter obtained from the related images.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4745562 (1988-05-01), Prazdny
patent: 5719954 (1998-02-01), Onda
Bella Matthew C.
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Chawan Sheela
Fenwick & West LLP
LandOfFree
Compensating pixel records of related images for detecting... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Compensating pixel records of related images for detecting..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Compensating pixel records of related images for detecting... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2492362