17135results about "Color signal processing circuits" patented technology

A system and method for rendering high dynamic range images includes a rendering manager that divides an original luminance image into a plurality of original subband images. The rendering manager converts the original subband images into original contrast images which are converted into original perceived contrast images. The rendering manager performs a compression procedure upon the original perceived contrast images to produce compressed perceived contrast images. The rendering manager converts the compressed perceived contrast images into compressed contrast images which are converted into compressed subband images. The rendering manager performs a subband combination procedure for combining the compressed subband images together with a lowest-frequency subband image to generate a rendered luminance image. The rendering manager may combines the rendered luminance image with corresponding chrominance information to generate a rendered composite image.

There are provided an image memory which stores one image of a subject, an image fetch section which takes in an image from the image memory to another memory or register in a predetermined unit, a control section which takes charge of the overall control, a face characteristic storage section which stores a plurality of characteristics of a face, a recognition and judgment section which recognizes a face from the data from the image fetch section and the data from the face characteristic storage section and judges each portion, an edge detector which detects an edge detection value from the result data thereof, and an output section which outputs the final judgment result to the outside.

Apparatus for generating computer models of individuals is provided comprising a booth (1) that is connected to a server (2) via the Internet (3). Image data of an individual is captured using the booth (1) and a computer model corresponding to the individual is then generated by comparing the captured image data relative to a stored generic model. Data representative of a generated model is then transmitted to the server (2) where it is stored. Stored data can then be retrieved via the Internet using a personal computer (4) having application software stored therein. The application software on the personal computer (4) can then utilise the data to create graphic representations of an individual in any one of a number of poses.

An image processing apparatus comprises a receiver (201) for receiving an image signal which comprises at least an encoded image and a target display reference. The target display reference is indicative of a dynamic range of a target display for which the encoded image is encoded. A dynamic range processor (203) generates an output image by applying a dynamic range transform to the encoded image in response to the target display reference. An output (205) then outputs an output image signal comprising the output image, e.g. to a suitable display. The dynamic range transform may furthermore be performed in response to a display dynamic range indication received from a display. The invention may be used to generate an improved High Dynamic Range (HDR) image from e.g. a Low Dynamic Range (LDR) image, or vice versa.

Motion estimation of a macro block in inter16×16, inter16×8, and inter8×16 modes is performed and a determination of whether to further perform motion estimation in a P8×8 mode is made. Motion estimation in P8×8 mode is either omitted or performed and one mode is determined according to a rate distortion cost of the respective modes. Spatial prediction encoding may then be performed or omitted based on comparing the rate distortion cost of the one mode with a predetermined value. Accordingly, by selectively omitting variable block motion estimation and spatial prediction encoding which are the most complicated operations in an H.264 encoder, determining an encoding mode is rapidly performed such that encoding speed increases.

A digital image acquisition system having no photographic film, such as a digital camera, has a flash unit for providing illumination during image capture and a red-eye filter for detecting a region within a captured image indicative of a red-eye phenomenon, the detection being based upon a comparison of the captured image and a reference image of nominally the same scene taken without flash. In the embodiment the reference image is a preview image of lower pixel resolution than the captured image, the filter matching the pixel resolutions of the captured and reference images by up-sampling the preview image and / or sub-sampling the captured image. The filter also aligns at least portions of the captured image and reference image prior to comparison to allow for, e.g. movement in the subject.

A vehicle viewing system including a camera system for generating a signal corresponding to a scene by integrating light from the scene incident on pixel cells having a variable integration time, a display system for presenting a visual representation of the scene, and a processor system operable to determine the camera system integration time based on brightness levels in the scene. The camera system preferably includes and an input attenuating filter to limit light striking the optical array. The processor system includes an image brightness detector to determine overall image brightness and a display control to determine luminance settings for the display system. The processor system may determine the intensity of the display system based on the brightness of the scene, ambient light levels, and glare on the display. The display system includes a display and a display attenuation filter for limiting the intensity as viewed by the operator.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for controlling color displayed on a color monitor. The method includes, in one embodiment, the steps of: activating a first color scheme on the monitor; responsive to the activating of the first color scheme, measuring a first color point of the monitor; storing the first color point within a memory associated with the monitor; activating a second color scheme on the monitor; responsive to the activating of the second color scheme, measuring a second color point of the monitor; storing the second color point within the memory associated with the monitor; activating a third color scheme on the monitor; responsive to the activating of the third color scheme, measuring a third color point of the monitor; and storing the third color point within the memory associated with the monitor.

An exemplary auto white balance system for an image sensor includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, a memory, a setting determining unit, and a white balance unit. The GPS receiver is configured for receiving signals from a satellite, and calculating its position and local time using signals received from at least four satellites. The memory is configured for storing a number of white balance settings. The setting determining unit is configured for determining which one of the white balance settings is suitable for the current ambient light conditions based on the received signal of the global positioning system receiver. The whit balance unit is configured for adjusting the color temperature of a current image captured by the image sensor using the determined white balance setting.

A method for transforming three color input signals (R, G, B) corresponding to three gamut defining color primaries to four color output signals (R′, G′, B′, W) corresponding to the gamut defining color primaries and one additional color primary W for driving a display having a white point different from W includes the steps of: normalizing the color input signals (R,G,B) such that a combination of equal amounts in each signal produces a color having XYZ tristimulus values identical to those of the additional color primary to produce normalized color signals (Rn,Gn,Bn); calculating a common signal S that is a function F1 of the three normalized color signals (Rn,Gn,Bn); calculating a function F2 of the common signal S and adding it to each of the three normalized color signals (Rn,Gn,Bn) to provide three color signals (Rn′,Gn′,Bn′); normalizing the three color signals (Rn′,Gn′,Bn′) such that a combination of equal amounts in each signal produces a color having XYZ tristimulus values identical to those of the display white point to produce three of the four color output signals (R′,G′,B′); and calculating a function F3 of the common signal S and assigning it to the fourth color output signal W.

An imaging system substantially simultaneously acquires z-depth and brightness data from first sensors, and acquires higher resolution RGB data from second sensors, and fuses data from the first and second sensors to model an RGBZ image whose resolution can be as high as resolution of the second sensors. Time correlation of captured data from first and second sensors is associated with captured image data, which permits arbitrary mapping between the two data sources, ranging from 1:many to many:1. Preferably pixels from each set of sensors that image the same target point are mapped. Many z-depth sensor settings may be used to create a static environmental model. Non-correlative and correlative filtering is carried out, and up-sampling to increase z-resolution occurs, from which a three-dimensional model is constructed using registration and calibration data.

The gradation correction device includes a luminance signal convertor to generate a luminance signal from the input R, G, B signals, a correction coefficient calculator which calculates the ratio to the luminance signal of the luminance signal after gamma correction to the predetermined gradation characteristics, and a multipliers to multiply the output from the correction coefficient calculator by each of the R, G, and B input signals. When the gradation correction is applied, effective brightness adjustment can be applied with no change in hue and saturation and without exceeding the dynamic range of a device.

A method and system for image blending is disclosed. A destination image is received (100), the destination image including an image portion to be replaced and having characteristics associated with the identified image portion. A source image is also received (130). An image portion of the source image to be inserted into the destination image is identified (140). Where necessary, parameters of the image portion to be inserted are transformed to match those of the image portion to be replaced (150). The image portion to be inserted is then blended into the destination image in dependence on the image portion to be replaced and its associated characteristics (160). A video generation system using these features is also disclosed.

A real-time modular video processing system (VPS) which can be scaled smoothly from relatively small systems with modest amounts of hardware to very large, very powerful systems with significantly more hardware. The modular video processing system includes a processing module containing at least one general purpose microprocessor which controls hardware and software operation of the video processing system using control data and which also facilitates communications with external devices. One or more video processing modules are also provided, each containing parallel pipelined video hardware which is programmable by the control data to provide different video processing operations on an input stream of video data. Each video processing module also contains one or more connections for accepting one or more daughterboards which each perform a particular image processing task. A global video bus routes video data between the processing module and each video processing module and between respective processing modules, while a global control bus provides the control data to / from the processing module from / to the video processing modules separate from the video data on the global video bus. A hardware control library loaded on the processing module provides an application programming interface including high level C-callable functions which allow programming of the video hardware as components are added and subtracted from the video processing system for different applications.

A method for generating a personalized presentation, comprising providing an Internet browser user interface for selecting an image and a surrounding context; receiving the selected image and surrounding context by an Internet web server; accounting for the user activity in a financial accounting system; and delivering the selected image and surrounding context to the user. The surrounding context may comprise a physical frame for a picture, with a printed version of the selected image framed therein. The accounting step may provide consideration to a rights holder of the selected image, or provide for receipt of consideration from a commercial advertiser. A plurality of images may be selected, wherein the context defines a sequence of display of the plurality of images.

Color calibration of color image rendering devices, such as large color displays, which operate by either projection or emission of images, utilize internal color measurement instrument or external color measurement modules locatable on a wall or speaker. A dual use camera is provided for a portable or laptop computer, or a cellular phone, handset, personal digital assistant or other handheld device with a digital camera, in which one of the camera or a display is movable with respect to the other to enable the camera in a first mode to capture images of the display for enabling calibration of the display, and in a second mode for capturing image other than of the display. The displays may represent rendering devices for enabling virtual proofing in a network, or may be part of stand-alone systems and apparatuses for color calibration. Improved calibration is also provided for sensing and correcting for non-uniformities of rendering devices, such as color displays, printer, presses, or other color image rendering device.

For a content-prerecorded large capacity disc-shaped recording medium, a user interface having high flexibility is accomplished. Button image data, corresponding sound data as an effect sound, and control commands for the sound data and image data are multiplexed with a stream and recorded on the disc. A scenario reproduced from the disc is stored in a buffer 104. The image data and sound data are stored in a buffer 105. Image data is read from the buffer 105 in accordance with a scenario and expanded to a graphics plane 133. In addition, corresponding sound data is read from the buffer 105 and reproduced by a sound player 106D. When a button image is varied in accordance with a state change of the button, an effect sound is reproduced. As a result, a more effective user interface is accomplished.

The present invention includes a Couch Link system which provides for a remote keyboard and a remote pointer to control a PC. The PC generates a PC monitor display and sounds, and the invention projects the same display image and play the sounds on a television. The remote keyboard and remote pointer may be in one room with the television, while the PC is in another room. The Relink system of the present invention further permits the PC to not merely generate and project its PC monitor display on the TV but, also, to control the TV's functions, including program selection, viewing, recording, and scheduling.

Imaging systems and methods are provided. One exemplary system incorporates multiple lenses that are individually configured to receive visible light from an object to be imaged, and to direct this light upon a corresponding sensor array. Luminance information is then derived from signals generated in one or more of the sensor arrays. When chrominance information is desired, an optical filter is interposed between a lens and the corresponding sensor array. The mosaic pattern contained in the optical filter is tailored to provide advantageous chrominance information. One or more such filters with different mosaic patterns may be employed. The luminance and chrominance information obtained from the sensor arrays are combined to generate an image of the object.

An apparatus and method are described for adjusting the color balance of a display. According to the method, a sensor of the apparatus detects the color temperature of ambient light. A controller of the apparatus adjusts the color balance of the emissive display based on the detected color temperature of ambient light.

A color display device for displaying an n-primary color image wherein n is greater than three, the device including an array of sub-pixel (801) configured to have at least one repeating unit having one sub-pixel representing each of the n primary colors, wherein repeating unit (906) is configured to optimize at least one of the n-primary color image.

There is provided parallax correction means for correcting a parallax for each area calculated by parallax calculation means in accordance with the magnitude of a motion vector for the area detected by motion vector detection means in order to prevent the three-dimensional effect of a conversion video from greatly differing depending on an input video when the MTD method and the CID method are simultaneously used.When a depth estimate is converted into a parallax, the depth estimate is subjected to distance scale conversion in order to suppress the distortion of the conversion image, to find a tentative target phase for each parallax calculation area, and a dynamic range in which a phase difference between the parallax calculation areas is within a distortion allowable range is searched for and is subjected to distance scale conversion, to find a tentative target phase, which operations are repeated.

A system and method for increasing space or time resolution of an image sequence by combination of a plurality input sources with different space-time resolutions such that the single output displays increased accuracy and clarity without the calculation of motion vectors. This system of enhancement may be used on any optical recording device, including but not limited to digital video, analog video, still pictures of any format and so forth. The present invention includes support for example for such features as single frame resolution increase, combination of a number of still pictures, the option to calibrate spatial or temporal enhancement or any combination thereof, increased video resolution by using high-resolution still cameras as enhancement additions and may optionally be implemented using a camera synchronization method.

An interactive system provides a video program signal and generates interactive content data to be associated with at least one object within a frame of the video program. The interactive content data is embedded with the object and the object is tracked through a sequence of frames and the interactive content data is embedded into each one of the frames. The program frames with the embedded data are multiplexed with video and audio signals and may be broadcast. A receiver identifies an object of interest and the embedded data associated with the object is retrieved. The embedded data may be used for e-commerce.

A user photographs an image including an object to be extracted, uses an instruction selection unit or the like to designate an extraction range, and an object extraction circuit performs extraction. The image data of an extracted object area is compressed / encoded, and stored together with photographing conditions into a storage unit. Subsequently, a background image is photographed or inputted. While the background image is displayed, the previously extracted object image is read from the storage unit. To suppress a difference in gradation and hue between the background image and the object image, the gradation and hue of the object image are adjusted, mixing and smoothing with the background image are performed in the vicinity of an object outline, and the object image is overwritten, synthesized, and displayed on the background image. The position and size of the object image are adjusted according to a user's instruction. Synthesized image data is recorded in a recording medium.

A game operating device (controller) includes a longitudinal housing, and a holding portion held by hand to be wrapped by its palm it is formed in the housing. A direction switch is provided on an upper surface at a position where it can be operated by thumb of the hand holding the holding portion, and a start switch and a select switch are provided backward thereof. An X button 46 and a Y button are further arranged in line on the upper surface of the housing. An imaging information arithmetic unit is provided at a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that an imaging device thereof is exposed from a front-end surface. A concave portion is formed on a lower surface at a position corresponding to the direction switch. The concave portion includes a valley and two inclined surfaces. An A button capable of being operated by index finger of the hand holding the holding portion is provided on the backward inclined surface. By processing an image signal obtained by imaging an infrared ray from LED modules by the imaging device, it is possible to obtain an operation signal varying according to a position and / or attitude of the controller.

According to one embodiment, a method comprises conducting an analysis for anomalous behavior on application software and generating a video of a display output produced by the application software. The video is to be displayed on an electronic device contemporaneously with display of one or more events detected by the analysis being performed on the application software.

The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for enhancing a dynamic range of an image with a multi-exposure pixel pattern taken by an image sensor of a camera for one or more color channels, wherein a plurality of groups of pixels of the image sensor have different exposure times (e.g., pre-selected or adjusted by a user through a user interface using a viewfinder feedback, or adjusted by a user through a user interface after taking and storing RAW image, etc.). Processing of the captured image for constructing an enhanced image of the image for each of the one or more color channels can be performed using weighted combination of exposure times of pixels having different pre-selected exposure times according to a predetermined criterion.

A method and apparatus allows users to quickly effect a modal change in an appliance having first and second modes. The apparatus captures a user actuation indicative of a modal change. The user actuation may be a mouse button closure, a keyboard button closure, or a remote control button closure. Upon detecting the user actuation indicative of a modal change, the apparatus detects the current mode for the appliance. Based on the current mode of the appliance, the apparatus cycles to the next mode in a round-robin basis and sets the next mode to become the current mode for the appliance. Further, in setting the next mode, the apparatus displays the next mode of the appliance as a mode change item in a menu list. The apparatus also then requests a second user actuation confirming a modal change. Further, in the event that the user confirms the modal change, the apparatus sets the next mode of the appliance to be the current mode for the appliance and maximizes the window associated with the mode of the appliance.