US5432906A
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Color image processing system for preparing a composite image transformation module for performing a plurality of selected image transformations
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1994-06-03
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Granted: 1995-07-11
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Expires: 2014-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for generating a modified electronic image combines multiple image transforms into a single composite transform, and then modifies the electronic image in accordance with the composite transform. The composite transform includes sample values sequentially modified in accordance with each of the multiple image transforms being combined. The method and apparatus further provides a user interface allowing a user to select individual transforms for composition. The use of a composite transforms allows a user to interact with the image processing system more quickly and interactively while obtaining a desired modified image.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary H. Newman
- 👤 Christopher J. Enscoe
- 👤 Robert F. Poe
- 👤 H. Scott Gregory, Jr.
- 👤 Michael S. Schwartz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 15:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6058; H04N1/6016; H04N1/6019; H04N1/603
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An electronic system for generating a modified image from an original image comprising: a plurality of input devices, each for providing electronic color pixel representations of original images; a storage device for storing a plurality of color transform definitions, each transform definition representing an input/output relation for color values; a user interface manipulable by a user to select multiple transform definitions; a transform composer for composing the user-selected multiple transform definitions into a composite transform definition, said composite transform definition being equivalent to the sequential application of the multiple transform definitions; and an image processor transforming the colors of the electronic color pixel representation of the original image through a single application of the composite transform definition, thereby generating a modified image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An electronic system for generating a modified image from an original image comprising: a plurality of input devices, each for providing electronic color pixel representations of original images; a storage device for storing a plurality of color transform definitions, each transform definition representing an input/output relation for color values; a user interface manipulable by a user to select multiple transform definitions; a transform composer for composing the user-selected multiple transform definitions into a composite transform definition, said composite transform definition being equivalent to the sequential application of the multiple transform definitions; and an image processor transforming the colors of the electronic color pixel representation of the original image through a single application of the composite transform definition, thereby generating a modified image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the storage device stores each transform definitions in the form of: an input table containing an entry for each of a plurality of sample color values, each input table entry comprising an address for a grid table; a grid table containing an entry for each of a plurality of grid table addresses, each grid table entry comprising an address for an output table; and an output table containing an entry for each of a plurality of output table addresses, each output table entry comprising a modified color value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the image processor: uses an image pixel color value and a composite transform input table to retrieve a grid table address; uses the grid table address and a composite transform grid table to retrieve a composite transform definition output table address; and uses the output table address and a composite transform output table to retrieve a modified color value for the image pixel color value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the image processor further includes means for interpolating among grid table entries.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the transform composer comprises: means for transforming sample color values into modified color values in response to a first user-selected transform definition; means for transforming modified color values into further modified color values in response to a second user-selected transform definition; and means for generating a composite transform definition from the further modified color values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the storage device stores each transform definition as an input table, a grid table and an output table, each entry in said input table relating a sample color value to a grid table address, each grid table entry relating a grid table address to an output table address, each output table entry relating an output table address to an output color value, and the transform composer comprises: means for copying an input table of a first user selected transform as an input table of the composite transform; means for copying an output table of a last user selected transform as an output table of the composite transform; means for sequentially transforming sample color values using the user selected transforms, and means for using the transformed sample color values to construct a grid table for the composite transform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the transform processor further comprises means for interpolating among table entries.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the user interface further includes means for modifying a user-selected transform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for composing an identity transform with another transform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one user selected transform definition comprises an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of an input device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the input device calibration definition comprises at least one look-up table.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for generating a modified image from an original image comprising steps of: storing a plurality of color transform definitions in an electronic image processing apparatus, each transform definition representing an input/output relation for color values; generating an electronic color pixel representation of an original image; receiving a user's selection of multiple transform definitions; composing the user-selected multiple transform definitions into a composite transform definition, said composite transform definition being equivalent to a sequential application of the multiple transform definitions; and transforming the colors of the electronic color pixel representation of the original image by a single application of the composite transform definition, thereby generating a modified image.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for generating a modified image from an original image comprising steps of: storing a plurality of color transform definitions in an electronic image processing apparatus, each transform definition representing an input/output relation for color values; generating an electronic color pixel representation of an original image; receiving a user's selection of multiple transform definitions; composing the user-selected multiple transform definitions into a composite transform definition, said composite transform definition being equivalent to a sequential application of the multiple transform definitions; and transforming the colors of the electronic color pixel representation of the original image by a single application of the composite transform definition, thereby generating a modified image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 12 wherein each transform definition comprises: an input table containing an entry for each of a plurality of sample color values, each input table entry comprising an address for a grid table; a grid table containing an entry for each of a plurality of grid table addresses, each grid table entry comprising an address for an output table; and an output table containing an entry for each of a plurality of output table addresses, each output table entry comprising a modified color value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of transforming colors of the electronic image includes steps of: using a composite transform input table to select a composite transform grid table address for an image pixel; using a composite transform grid table to select a composite transform output address for the image pixel; and using a composite transform output table to select a modified color value for the image pixel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of transforming colors of the electronic image further includes a step of interpolating among grid table entries.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the composing step comprises steps of: transforming sample color values into modified sample color values using a first user selected transform definition, said sample color values taken at intervals throughout a range of colors; sequentially transforming modified sample color values into further modified sample color values using a second user selected transform definition; and using the further modified sample color values to construct a composite transform definition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
133 words
The method of claim 12 wherein each transform definition comprises an input table, a grid table and an output table, each entry in said input table relating a sample color value to a grid table address, each grid table entry relating a grid table address to an output table address, each output table entry relating an output table address to an output color value and the composing step comprises steps of: copying an input table of a first user selected transform as an input table of the composite transform; copying an output table of a last user selected transform as an output table of the composite transform; sequentially transforming sample color values using the user selected transforms, and using the transformed sample color values to construct a grid table of the composite transform.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the steps of transforming sample color values include steps of interpolating among grid table entries.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the composing step includes a step of inserting an additional transform in a series so that output values of each transform are in the same color notation as required for input to a subsequent transform in the series.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12 further including a step of allowing a user to modify a selected transform.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of: composing the identity transform with another transform.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12 wherein at least one user selected transform definition comprises an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of an input device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 22 wherein the input device calibration definition comprises at least one look-up table.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
103 words
A color-calibrated electronic image processing system comprising: an input device providing an electronic color pixel representation of an original image; a storage device storing: 1) an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of the input device, and 2) a plurality of color transform definitions; a user interface manipulable by a user to select a color transform definition; a transform composer for generating a composite transform definition equivalent to a sequential application of the input device calibration definition and the user-selected transform definition; and an image processor using the composite transform definition to transform the color pixel representation into a modified image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
103 words
A color-calibrated electronic image processing system comprising: an input device providing an electronic color pixel representation of an original image; a storage device storing: 1) an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of the input device, and 2) a plurality of color transform definitions; a user interface manipulable by a user to select a color transform definition; a transform composer for generating a composite transform definition equivalent to a sequential application of the input device calibration definition and the user-selected transform definition; and an image processor using the composite transform definition to transform the color pixel representation into a modified image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
136 words
A color-calibrated electronic image processing system comprising: an input device providing an electronic color pixel representation of an original image; an output device providing a printed image from a pixel representation of an image; a storage device storing: 1) an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of the input device, 2) an output device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of the output device, and 3) a plurality of color transform definitions; a user interface manipulable by a user to select a color transform definition; a transform composer for generating a composite transform definition equivalent to a sequential application of the input device calibration definition, the user-selected transform definition and the output device calibration definition; and an image processor using the composite transform definition to transform the color pixel representation into a modified image.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
136 words
A color-calibrated electronic image processing system comprising: an input device providing an electronic color pixel representation of an original image; an output device providing a printed image from a pixel representation of an image; a storage device storing: 1) an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of the input device, 2) an output device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of the output device, and 3) a plurality of color transform definitions; a user interface manipulable by a user to select a color transform definition; a transform composer for generating a composite transform definition equivalent to a sequential application of the input device calibration definition, the user-selected transform definition and the output device calibration definition; and an image processor using the composite transform definition to transform the color pixel representation into a modified image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
96 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the storage device stores calibration definitions and transform definitions in the form of: an input table containing an entry or each of a plurality of sample color values, each input table entry comprising an address for a grid table; a grid table containing an entry for each of a plurality of grid table addresses, each grid table entry comprising an address for an output table; and an output table containing an entry for each of a plurality of output table addresses, each output table entry comprising a modified color value.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the image processor: uses an image pixel color value and a composite transform input table to retrieve a grid table address; uses the grid table address and a composite transform grid table to retrieve a composite transform definition output table address; and uses the output table address and a composite transform output table to retrieve a modified color value for the image pixel color value.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the image processor further includes means for interpolating among table entries.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the transform composer comprises: means for transforming sample color values into modified color values using the input calibration definition; means for transforming modified color value into further modified color values using the user-selected transform definition; and means for generating a composite transform definition from the further modified color values.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the user interface further includes means for modifying a user-selected transform.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 25 wherein at least one user selected transform definition comprises an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of an input device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the input device calibration definition comprises at least one look-up table.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
140 words
An electronic system for generating a modified image from an original image comprising: a plurality of input devices, each for providing electronic color pixel representations of original images; a plurality of output devices, each for providing a printed image from an electronic representation of an image; a storage device for storing a plurality of color transform definitions, each transform definition representing an input/output relation for color values; a user interface manipulable by a user to select multiple transform definitions; a transform composer for composing the user-selected multiple transform definitions into a composite transform definition, said composite transform definition being equivalent to the sequential application of the multiple transform definitions; and an image processor transforming the colors of the electronic color pixel representation of the original image through a single application of the composite transform definition, thereby generating a modified image.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
140 words
An electronic system for generating a modified image from an original image comprising: a plurality of input devices, each for providing electronic color pixel representations of original images; a plurality of output devices, each for providing a printed image from an electronic representation of an image; a storage device for storing a plurality of color transform definitions, each transform definition representing an input/output relation for color values; a user interface manipulable by a user to select multiple transform definitions; a transform composer for composing the user-selected multiple transform definitions into a composite transform definition, said composite transform definition being equivalent to the sequential application of the multiple transform definitions; and an image processor transforming the colors of the electronic color pixel representation of the original image through a single application of the composite transform definition, thereby generating a modified image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electronic, color transform processing apparatus comprising: a storage device storing: 1) an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of an input device, said input device providing an electronic color pixel representation of a non-electronic image, 2) an output device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of an output device, said output device providing a printed image from a pixel representation of an image, and 3) at least one color transform definition; a user interface manipulable by a user to select a plurality of stored definitions; a transform composer for generating a composite transform definition equivalent to a sequential application of the user selected definitions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electronic, color transform processing apparatus comprising: a storage device storing: 1) an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of an input device, said input device providing an electronic color pixel representation of a non-electronic image, 2) an output device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of an output device, said output device providing a printed image from a pixel representation of an image, and 3) at least one color transform definition; a user interface manipulable by a user to select a plurality of stored definitions; a transform composer for generating a composite transform definition equivalent to a sequential application of the user selected definitions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising means for composing an identity transform with another transform.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
96 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the storage device stores calibration definitions and transform definitions in the form of: an input table containing an entry for each of a plurality of sample color values, each input table entry comprising an address for a grid table; a grid table containing an entry for each of a plurality of grid table addresses, each grid table entry comprising an address for an output table; and an output table containing an entry for each of a plurality of output table addresses, each output table entry comprising a modified color value.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
143 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the storage device stores each transform definition as an input table, a grid table and an output table, each entry in said input table relating a sample color value to a grid table address, each grid table entry relating a grid table address to an output table address, each output table entry relating an output table address to an output color value, and the transform composer comprises: means for copying an input table of a first user selected transform as an input table of the composite transform; means for copying an output table of a last user selected transform as an output table of the composite transform; means for sequentially transforming sample color values using the user selected transforms, and means for using the transformed sample color values to construct a grid table for the composite transform.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the transform composer further includes means for interpolating among table entries.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the transform composer comprises: means for transforming sample color values into modified color values using the input calibration definition; means for transforming modified color value into further modified color values using the user-selected transform definition; and means for generating a composite transform definition from the further modified color values.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the user interface further includes means for modifying a user-selected transform.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein at least one user selected transform definition comprises an input device calibration definition derived from color characteristics of an input device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the input device calibration definition comprises at least one look-up table.
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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) | 1998-07-10 | 1999-01-09 | 1999-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-10 | 2003-01-09 | 2003-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-10 | 2007-01-09 | 2007-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |