Image analysis – Color image processing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-06
2001-09-25
Mancuso, Joseph (Department: 2621)
Image analysis
Color image processing
C358S518000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295369
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a multi-dimensional color image mapping apparatus and method.
Prior art image processing operations may generally be categorized as point to point, matrix or convolution, frequency based, temporal, and geometric. Point to point operations are performed on each pixel in the image. Matrix operations are performed on each pixel, but take into account some finite number of surrounding pixels. Frequency based operations deal with transforming the image mathematically into what is called the frequency domain, and then applying operations on the frequency domain before converting the image back to its original format. Temporal processing operations deal with multiple frames in a sequence over time (moving pictures). Geometric operations perform image rotation, scaling, translation and resizing (resampling), among others. The current span of technology for enhancing images performs changes on an image that are broad in scope and therefore, while improving an image in certain areas, they create problems in others. Electronically captured images, particularly video (NTSC, PAL, or hi-definition video) are inherently uneven. They are uneven in terms of light level, color level, color and edge representation, among others. Because they are uneven, applying prior art imaging processing operations to the image results in a processed image that still contains its inherent “unevenness”. That is, certain portions of the image improve while others are taken “over the edge”.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,816 to Faber is illustrative of the current state of the art in some image enhancement and modification techniques. For a variety of reasons, discussed further hereafter, video taped images are less appealing to the human eye than film images. One of the differences, generally subtle and overlooked by the viewer, is that film has “grain”. Faber looks to enhance video taped images by, among other things, the addition of mixed, clipped and filtered noise so as to attempt to simulate the look of film. Faber discloses the technique of adding grain over an entire image. This results in the addition of grain, obviously, everywhere, including areas which don't have grain on film. As a result, this and other prior art image enhancement techniques are a two step forward, one step back exercise.
In short, a drawback to the image enhancement and manipulation technologies known in the art is that manipulation that enhances an image in one area degrades the image in another area at the same time. This is particularly true with color images. Thus, there is a need in the art for providing an apparatus and method for manipulating images which manipulates an image only in areas where manipulation is required and which avoids manipulation of an image in areas which degrade the image instead of enhancing it. It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide a multi-dimensional color image mapping apparatus and method for selective multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation of particular color model components of an image.
SHORT STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, for images obtained in accordance with a particular image format, wherein the image is identified by particular color components represented by one or more consistent color models, the multidimensional color image mapping apparatus of the present invention includes an image input and output device connected to a computer system. An operator monitor for operating and monitoring is connected to the computer system. A computer software program on the computer system is provided for applying any image processing operation and any mathematical function to an image as a function of at least two input variables, where the input variables are distinct color components from one or more color models. As a result, an input image, video, digital, or otherwise, is manipulated at all appropriate areas of the image while avoiding manipulation of the image where unnecessary or inappropriate.
In one embodiment of the invention, more than one computer system and processor is utilized in conjunction with a master computer system, all of which are connected to the image input and output device. Additionally, an analog to digital and a digital to analog converter is provided in one embodiment connected to the image input and output device. In a further embodiment, the computer program enables manipulations of the image by means of one of a group of manipulations including grain addition, image and edge sharpening/softening, chrominance 1 (first pass) modification, luminance 1 (first pass) modification, red modification, green modification, and blue modification. Additional modifications include chrominance 2 (second pass) modification, luminance 2 (second pass) modification, color based chrominance modification, color based luminance modification, color based red modification, color based green modification, and color based blue modification.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4935816 (1990-06-01), Faber
patent: 5850472 (1998-12-01), Alston et al.
patent: 5874988 (1999-02-01), Gu
patent: 5937086 (1999-08-01), Taguchi
Bayat Ali
Mancuso Joseph
Shaffer & Culbertson LLP
Shaffer Jr. J. Nevin
Shapiro Consulting, Inc.
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