US5022085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Neighborhood-based merging of image data
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1990-05-29
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Granted: 1991-06-04
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Expires: 2010-05-29
Abstract
Abstract An imagery data mechanism for controllably merging separate, digitally formatted and arbitrarily shaped images eliminates overlap-edge artifacts by gradually blending a paste image (40) along its border (44) with a base image (30), regardless of the shape of the paste image. The mechanism employs a `feathering` window (50) containing a plurality of neighboring pixel locations over which the pixel values of the paste image are controllably modified to achieve a tapered blending of the two images. Whether the data value for any pixel within the display is to be modified from a given database value will depend upon whether or not that pixel location is both within the paste image and a prescribed distance to the border (44) of the paste image. If the pixel location is not even part of the image, it is effectively masked, so that not only does no feathering take place, but neither the base image nor the paste image contributes to its data value.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Cok
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
For use with an imagery data base in accordance with which an array of pixels of an image display device is controllably energized to display an image, a method of controllably combining first imagery data, associated with a first, overlap image, with second imagery data, associated with a second, base image, so as to effect a smooth blending of said first image along its border with said second image comprising the steps of: (a) for a respective pixel location (i,j) of said array, defining a window that encompasses a plurality W of pixel locations surrounding said pixel location (i,j); (b) in response to said respective pixel location (i,j) being contained within said first image, defining a first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with the ratio of the number NP of pixel locations in said window that are contained within both said first and second images to the number NB of pixel locations in said window that are contained within said second image; and (c) defining an imagery data value associated with said pixel location (i,j) in accordance with a prescribed combination of said first weighting value and imagery data values contained within said first and second imagery data for said pixel location (i,j).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
For use with an imagery data base in accordance with which an array of pixels of an image display device is controllably energized to display an image, a method of controllably combining first imagery data, associated with a first, overlap image, with second imagery data, associated with a second, base image, so as to effect a smooth blending of said first image along its border with said second image comprising the steps of: (a) for a respective pixel location (i,j) of said array, defining a window that encompasses a plurality W of pixel locations surrounding said pixel location (i,j); (b) in response to said respective pixel location (i,j) being contained within said first image, defining a first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with the ratio of the number NP of pixel locations in said window that are contained within both said first and second images to the number NB of pixel locations in said window that are contained within said second image; and (c) defining an imagery data value associated with said pixel location (i,j) in accordance with a prescribed combination of said first weighting value and imagery data values contained within said first and second imagery data for said pixel location (i,j).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises defining said first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with a prescribed combination of said ratio and a second weighting value M(i,j) representative of a prescribed degree of transparency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein step (b) comprises defining said first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with a product of said ratio and said second weighting value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein step (b) comprises defining said first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with a product of said second weighting value and the difference between said ratio and a preselected constant
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises setting said first weighting value F(i,j) equal to zero, in response to said respective pixel location (i,j) being contained within said second image, but outside said first image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises defining an imagery data value associated with said pixel location (i,j) in accordance with the sum of a first product of a first imagery data value and a first expression containing said first weighting value and a second product of a second imagery data value and a second expression containing said first weighting value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said first expression is defined in accordance with the ratio of said first weighting value to a mask value representative whether or not said pixel is part of the base image and said second expression is defined in accordance with the difference between said mask value and said first weighting value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
224 words
For use with an imagery data base in accordance with which an array of pixels of an image display device is controllably energized to display an image, a method of controllably combining first imagery data associated with a first, overlap image with second imagery data associated with a second, base image, so as to effect a smooth blending of said first image along its border with said second image comprising the steps of: (a) for a respective pixel location (i,j) of said array, defining a window that encompasses a plurality W of pixel locations surrounding said pixel location (i,j); (b) for the window defined in step (a), determining the ratio of the number NP of pixel locations that are contained within said first image to the number NB of pixel locations that are contained within said second image; (c) determining whether or not said respective pixel location is contained within said first image; (d) in response to said respective pixel location (i,j) being contained within said first image, defining a first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with the ratio determined in step (b); and (e) defining an imagery data value associated with said pixel location (i,j) in accordance with a prescribed combination of said first weighting value and imagery data values contained within said first and second imagery data for said pixel location (i,j).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
224 words
For use with an imagery data base in accordance with which an array of pixels of an image display device is controllably energized to display an image, a method of controllably combining first imagery data associated with a first, overlap image with second imagery data associated with a second, base image, so as to effect a smooth blending of said first image along its border with said second image comprising the steps of: (a) for a respective pixel location (i,j) of said array, defining a window that encompasses a plurality W of pixel locations surrounding said pixel location (i,j); (b) for the window defined in step (a), determining the ratio of the number NP of pixel locations that are contained within said first image to the number NB of pixel locations that are contained within said second image; (c) determining whether or not said respective pixel location is contained within said first image; (d) in response to said respective pixel location (i,j) being contained within said first image, defining a first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with the ratio determined in step (b); and (e) defining an imagery data value associated with said pixel location (i,j) in accordance with a prescribed combination of said first weighting value and imagery data values contained within said first and second imagery data for said pixel location (i,j).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein step (c) comprises comparing the ratio determined in step (b) to a prescribed value and identifying said respective pixel location as being contained within said first image in response to said ratio exceeding said prescribed value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said prescribed value is one-half.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein step (d) comprises defining said first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with a prescribed combination of said ratio and a second weighting value M(i,j) representative of a prescribed degree of transparency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein step (d) comprises defining said first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with a product of said ratio and said second weighting value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein step (d) comprises defining said first weighting value F(i,j) in accordance with a product of said second weighting value and the difference between said ratio and a preselected constant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein step (d) further comprises setting first weighting value F(i,j) equal to zero, in response to step (c) determining said respective pixel location (i,j) to be contained within said second image, but outside said first image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein step (e) comprises defining an imagery data value associated with said pixel location (i,j) in accordance with the sum of a first product of a first imagery data value and a first expression containing said first weighting value and a second product of a second imagery data value and a second expression containing said first weighting value.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 15, wherein said first expression is defined in accordance with the ratio of said first weighting value to a mask value representative whether or not said pixel is part of the base image and said second expression is defined in accordance with the difference between said mask value and said first weighting value.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-03 | 1994-12-03 | 1995-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-03 | 1998-12-03 | 1999-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-03 | 2002-12-03 | 2003-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |