Patent US2668614A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4330833A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4330833A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for improved digital image processing
Assignee: VICOM SYSTEMS Inc A CORP OF CA
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Filing: 1978-05-26
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Granted: 1982-05-18
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Expires: 1998-05-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus for digital image processing is disclosed which permits greater efficiency in implementation of digital filtering techniques. In one implementation specially selected small generating kernels, or masks, are sequentially convolved with a data array of pixels representative of a particular image for more efficient restoration, enhancement or other conventional digital image processing techniques. The small generating kernels may be varied for each sequential convolution. In some implementations the output of each sequential convolution may be weighted in accordance with the filtering desired. Means for implementing the method are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 William K. Pratt
- 👤 Jean-Francois Abramatic
- 👤 Olivier Faugeras
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:26
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/20; H; H03; H03H; H03H17/00; H03H17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of convolving a data array comprising the steps of scanning said data array with a mask selected according to a predetermined criteria, replacing said data array with the output of said scan as a new data array, rescanning and replacing said new data array with a different mask selected according to said predetermined criteria a predetermined number of times, and extracting the new data array as an output data array after completion of the predetermined number of scans.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of convolving a data array comprising the steps of scanning said data array with a mask selected according to a predetermined criteria, replacing said data array with the output of said scan as a new data array, rescanning and replacing said new data array with a different mask selected according to said predetermined criteria a predetermined number of times, and extracting the new data array as an output data array after completion of the predetermined number of scans.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of repeating said scanning, replacing and rescanning steps for each of a plurality of arrays representing images of different spectral characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of repeating said scanning, replacing and rescanning steps for each of a plurality of color images.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of convolving a data array comprising the steps of scanning said data array with a mask selected according to a predetermined criteria, weighting the output of said scan according to said predetermined criteria, replacing said data array with the output of said weighting step as a new data array, and repeating said scanning, weighting and replacing steps a predetermined number of times to provide a filtered array as an output.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of convolving a data array comprising the steps of scanning said data array with a mask selected according to a predetermined criteria, weighting the output of said scan according to said predetermined criteria, replacing said data array with the output of said weighting step as a new data array, and repeating said scanning, weighting and replacing steps a predetermined number of times to provide a filtered array as an output.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said repeating step includes repeating each of said remaining steps for each of a plurality of arrays representing images of different spectral characteristics.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of convolving a data array with a two dimensional filter comprising the steps of scanning said data array with a mask selected according to a predetermined criteria, weighting the output of said scan according to said predetermined criteria, summing said weighted output with the weighted output of all previous scans, replacing said data array with successive scanned and weighted outputs, and repeating said scanning, weighting, summing, and replacing steps a predetermined number of times, said mask and said weighting being varied for each successive scan in accordance with said predetermined criteria.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of convolving a data array with a two dimensional filter comprising the steps of scanning said data array with a mask selected according to a predetermined criteria, weighting the output of said scan according to said predetermined criteria, summing said weighted output with the weighted output of all previous scans, replacing said data array with successive scanned and weighted outputs, and repeating said scanning, weighting, summing, and replacing steps a predetermined number of times, said mask and said weighting being varied for each successive scan in accordance with said predetermined criteria.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
45 words
The method of claims 1, 4 or 6 wherein the step of scanning said data array includes the step of determining mask weights to minimize error between an exact, large size convolution operator and an operator synthesized by repeated convolution with small generating kernal operators.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
49 words
The method of claims 4 or 6 further including the steps of selecting mask weights for the mask and output weighting factors according to a criteria designed to minimize error between an exact, large size convolution operator and an operator synthesized by repeated convolution with small generating kernal operators.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said repeating step includes repeating each of said remaining steps for each of a plurality of color images.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for convolving a digital data array comprising data input means for receiving said data array, mask means having a mask array for scanning said data array and providing a convolution of said mask array and said data array, feedback means for providing said convolution to said data input means, and output means for receiving the convolution of said mask array and said data array from said mask means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus for convolving a digital data array comprising data input means for receiving said data array, mask means having a mask array for scanning said data array and providing a convolution of said mask array and said data array, feedback means for providing said convolution to said data input means, and output means for receiving the convolution of said mask array and said data array from said mask means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for convolving a digital data array comprising memory means having an input for receiving said data array and an output, mask means having a mask array and connected to said output of said memory means for providing a convolution of said mask array and said data array, weighting means having an output for weighting said convolution in accordance with a predetermined criteria, feedback means for providing the output of said weighting means to the input of said memory means, and output means responsive to said weighting means for providing an output data array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for convolving a digital data array comprising memory means having an input for receiving said data array and an output, mask means having a mask array and connected to said output of said memory means for providing a convolution of said mask array and said data array, weighting means having an output for weighting said convolution in accordance with a predetermined criteria, feedback means for providing the output of said weighting means to the input of said memory means, and output means responsive to said weighting means for providing an output data array.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claims 10 or 11 further including sequencing means for supplying said mask array to said mask means and to control said feedback means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of convolving a data array comprising the steps of selecting a mask with mask weights assigned according to a predetermined criteria to minimize error between an exact large size convolution operator and an operator synthesized by repeated convolution with small generating kernel operators, scanning said data array with the mask selected according to the predetermined criteria, replacing said data array with the output of said scan as a new data array, and rescanning and replacing said data array with a different mask selected according to said predetermined criteria a predetermined number of times.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of convolving a data array comprising the steps of selecting a mask with mask weights assigned according to a predetermined criteria to minimize error between an exact large size convolution operator and an operator synthesized by repeated convolution with small generating kernel operators, scanning said data array with the mask selected according to the predetermined criteria, replacing said data array with the output of said scan as a new data array, and rescanning and replacing said data array with a different mask selected according to said predetermined criteria a predetermined number of times.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-17 | 1985-11-16 | 1986-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-17 | 1989-11-16 | 1990-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-17 | 1993-11-16 | 1994-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |