Patent US4956704A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4956704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image processing apparatus and methods for making a creative image from an original image
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-11
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Granted: 1990-09-11
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Expires: 2008-10-11
Abstract
Abstract An image processing apparatus and method in which an object is imaged to produce signals and the signals are divided into groups according to areas of the image having edges of high spatial frequency, i.e., large change in same-color characteristics. The signals in selected areas are changed to produce a reproduced image with desired color effects. For example, an edge may be detected in the original image, and the division of the image into areas effected by a closed curve using the edge. The subsequent processing may include changing a color characteristic of at least one of the areas. The color characteristic might, for example, be an average of various values of that characteristic throughout the area in question. The identification of a high-spatial-frequency area can be performed in various ways, e.g., by summing edge components of the original image which extend in a plurality of directions.
Inventors
- 👤 Shigeki Yamada
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:53
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00; G06T11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: input means for supplying original image data signals which represent an original image; detection means for detecting an edge proper to the original image represented by the original image data signals; dividing means for dividing the original image into a plurality of areas by a closed curve using the edge detected by said detection means; and a signal processor for changing a color characteristic of the original image data signals with respect to at least one of the plurality of areas of the original image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: input means for supplying original image data signals which represent an original image; detection means for detecting an edge proper to the original image represented by the original image data signals; dividing means for dividing the original image into a plurality of areas by a closed curve using the edge detected by said detection means; and a signal processor for changing a color characteristic of the original image data signals with respect to at least one of the plurality of areas of the original image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detection means is constructed and arranged to detect an edge of the original image in accordance with high spatial frequency components of the original image data signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal processor is constructed and arranged to change the original image data signals of at least one of said areas in a predetermined manner corresponding to a color characteristic present in the area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said color characteristic present in the area is an average of various values of said color characteristic throughout said area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said signal processor includes a memory containing data representing a predetermined output color characteristic, said memory being arranged to change said color characteristic according to said data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said signal processor is arranged to change the color characteristic of signals other than those having the high spatial frequency components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said detection means is arranged to detect the high spatial frequency components by summing edge components extending in a plurality of directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said input means is arranged to supply original color image data signals, and wherein said signal processor is arranged to change the original color image data signals in at least one of the areas to identical color image data signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said signal processor is constructed to cause the color characteristic of at least one of said areas to be uniform throughout the area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
94 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: input means for supplying original image data signals which represent an original image; a signal discriminator for discriminating a first group of the original image data signals characterized by image data of high spatial frequency and a second group of the original image data signals characterized by image data of low spatial frequency; a signal processor for producing color conversion of original image data of the second group of original image data signals; and output means for outputting signals whose color characteristic has been changed by said signal processor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
94 words
An image processing apparatus, comprising: input means for supplying original image data signals which represent an original image; a signal discriminator for discriminating a first group of the original image data signals characterized by image data of high spatial frequency and a second group of the original image data signals characterized by image data of low spatial frequency; a signal processor for producing color conversion of original image data of the second group of original image data signals; and output means for outputting signals whose color characteristic has been changed by said signal processor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said signal processor is constructed and arranged to convert the original image data of the second group according to a predetermined image characteristic which is present among the original image data of the second group.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined image characteristic is an average value of the original image data of said second group.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said signal processor includes a memory containing data representing a predetermined image characteristic, said memory being arranged to change the original image data of the second group according to said data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said signal processor is constructed to leave the original image data signals of the first group unchanged during signal processing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the signal discriminator is arranged to detect the first group of original image data signals by detecting edge components of the original image data signals extending in a plurality of directions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said input means is arranged to supply signals representing original color image data, and said wherein signal processor is arranged to change the original color image data in said second group to predetermined color image data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said signal processor is constructed to produce a color conversion of the original image data of said second group of signals such that a portion of the image represented by the second group of signals has uniform color throughout.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for processing images, comprising the steps of: supplying original image data signals representing an original image; detecting an edge proper to the original image represented by the original image data signals; dividing the original image into a plurality of areas by a closed curve using the edge detected in said detecting step; changing a color characteristic of the original image data signals with respect to at least one of said plurality of areas of the original image.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for processing images, comprising the steps of: supplying original image data signals representing an original image; detecting an edge proper to the original image represented by the original image data signals; dividing the original image into a plurality of areas by a closed curve using the edge detected in said detecting step; changing a color characteristic of the original image data signals with respect to at least one of said plurality of areas of the original image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said dividing step includes detecting an edge of the original image in accordance with high spatial frequency components of the original image data signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said changing step includes changing the original image data signals of at least one of said areas in a predetermined manner corresponding to a color characteristic present in the area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said color characteristic present in the area is an average of various values of said color characteristic throughout said area.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of pre-storing in a memory signals representative of the color characteristic present in the area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein the high spatial frequency components are detected by detecting edge components of said original image data signals extending in a plurality of directions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein said supplying step includes supplying original color image data signals and said changing step includes changing the original color image data signals in at least one of the areas to predetermined color image data signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image processing method according to claim 19, wherein said changing step includes processing the original image data signals in an area other than an area having the high spatial frequency components.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein the step of changing a color characteristic comprises causing signals representing said at least one to produce a uniform color throughout the image area.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for processing images comprising steps of: supplying original image data signals which represent an original image; discriminating a first group of the original image data signals characterized by image data having high spatial frequency and a second group of the original image data signals characterized by image data having low spatial frequency; producing color conversion of original image data of the second group of original image data signals; and outputting signals representing the converted original image data.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for processing images comprising steps of: supplying original image data signals which represent an original image; discriminating a first group of the original image data signals characterized by image data having high spatial frequency and a second group of the original image data signals characterized by image data having low spatial frequency; producing color conversion of original image data of the second group of original image data signals; and outputting signals representing the converted original image data.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said producing step includes converting the original image data of the second group according to a predetermined image characteristic in the original image data of the second group.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said predetermined image characteristic corresponds to an average value of the original image data of said second group.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 27, further including the step of pre-storing in a memory signals representative of a predetermined image characteristic.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the step of producing color conversion is carried out while leaving the original image data signals of the first group unchanged.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the first group of original image data signals is discriminated and summing edge components of the original image data signals extending in a plurality of directions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the original image data signals supplied in said supplying step include original color image data, and wherein, in said producing step, the original color image data are converted to predetermined identical color image data.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein the step of producing color conversion comprises causing said second group of original image data signals to produce a uniform color throughout image area corresponding to said second group.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
63 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: means for supplying an original image; means for dividing the original image into a plurality of areas, wherein said dividing means detects an edge of the original image and divides the original image by a closed curve using the edge; and means for changing at least one of the plurality of areas of the original image to halftone.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
63 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: means for supplying an original image; means for dividing the original image into a plurality of areas, wherein said dividing means detects an edge of the original image and divides the original image by a closed curve using the edge; and means for changing at least one of the plurality of areas of the original image to halftone.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said dividing means is constructed and arranged to divide the original image into a plurality of areas in accordance with high spatial frequency components of data signals representing the original image.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
41 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 35, further comprising a signal processor constructed and arranged to change data signals corresponding to at least one of said areas in a predetermined manner corresponding to a color characteristic present in the area.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said color characteristic present in the area is an average of various values of said color characteristic throughout said area.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said signal processor includes a memory containing data representing a predetermined output color characteristic, said memory being arranged to change said color characteristic according to said data.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said processor is arranged to change the color characteristic of signals other than those having a high spatial frequency component.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said dividing means is arranged to detect high spatial frequency components by summing edge components extending in a plurality of directions.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
47 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said supplying means is arranged to supply original color image data, and wherein said signal processor is arranged to change the original color image data signals in at least one of the areas to identical color image data.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said signal processor is constructed to cause the color characteristic of at least one of said areas to be uniform throughout the area.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: means for supplying original image data signals which represent an original image; means for detecting an edge of the original image represented by the original image data signals; means for dividing the original image into a plurality of areas by a closed curve using the edge detected by said detecting means; and means for painting at least one of said plurality of areas of the original image represented by the original image data signals.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
79 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: means for supplying original image data signals which represent an original image; means for detecting an edge of the original image represented by the original image data signals; means for dividing the original image into a plurality of areas by a closed curve using the edge detected by said detecting means; and means for painting at least one of said plurality of areas of the original image represented by the original image data signals.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said detecting means is constructed and arranged to detect an edge of the original image in accordance with high spatial frequency components of the original image data signals.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
37 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said painting means is constructed and arranged to paint at least one of said areas in a predetermined manner corresponding to a color characteristic present in the area.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said color characteristic present in the area is an average of various values of said color characteristic throughout said area.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said painting means includes a memory containing data representing a predetermined output color characteristic, said memory being arranged to paint the area according to said data.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said painting means is arranged to paint a predetermined area other than areas having high spatial frequency components.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said detecting means is arranged to detect high spatial frequency components by summing edge components extending in a plurality of directions.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said supplying means is arranged to supply original color image data, and wherein said painting means is arranged to paint at least one of the areas to identical color image data.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
An image processing apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said painting means is constructed to cause the color characteristic of at least one of said areas to be uniform throughout the area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4794382A
Cited
GB2178628A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-10 | 1994-03-12 | 1994-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-10 | 1998-03-12 | 1998-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-10 | 2002-03-12 | 2002-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |