US5454070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pixel to spline based region conversion method
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-01-13
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Granted: 1995-09-26
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Expires: 2014-01-13
Abstract
Abstract Computer based images are normally provided in the form of large amounts of data on a pixel by pixel basis. Method and apparatus (25) are disclosed for converting this pixel based data (7,8,9-16,17) to spline based data (FIG. 5) wherein the characteristics present in the pixel based data are substantially retained in the spline based version of the image.
Inventors
- 👤 Ross A. Donelly
- 👤 Jim Mulhearn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:17
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for transforming pixel data of an image into region data, said method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of regions from the pixel data, each said region being grown from at least one pixel unallocated to any other of said regions by comparing a color of unallocated pixels adjacent said at least one pixel with a predetermined color function of said at least one pixel, and if said colors are within a predetermined relationship, allocating said adjacent pixels to said region; determining color information content data of each said region; creating boundaries for each of said regions based on the color information content data; and determining corresponding spline information of said boundaries of each of said regions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for transforming pixel data of an image into region data, said method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of regions from the pixel data, each said region being grown from at least one pixel unallocated to any other of said regions by comparing a color of unallocated pixels adjacent said at least one pixel with a predetermined color function of said at least one pixel, and if said colors are within a predetermined relationship, allocating said adjacent pixels to said region; determining color information content data of each said region; creating boundaries for each of said regions based on the color information content data; and determining corresponding spline information of said boundaries of each of said regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the color information content data of each region comprises color blending information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said regions are formed from 4-connected groups of pixels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said generating step includes reducing the number of pixel regions below a predetermined number through merging adjacent ones of said regions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said reduction uses a heuristic measure based upon the number of pixels within a region and the color difference between the region and the nearest colored adjacent region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of creating said boundaries includes smoothing the boundaries of said regions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of determining said corresponding spline information step includes assigning a number of splines to each said region dependant on the length of the boundary of each said region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the step of determining said corresponding spline information step includes using a least squares fitting method through the pixels on the boundaries of each said region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined color function is the value of a first pixel of said region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined color function is an average color value of all pixels in said region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined relationship is a predetermined color difference between the unallocated pixel and the predetermined color function of said region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method a claimed in claim 1 wherein the predetermined relationship is a positional relationship between the unallocated pixel and those pixels included in said region.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for transforming pixel data of an image into region data, said method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of regions from the pixel data, each said region being grown from at least one pixel unallocated to any other of said regions by comparing a color of unallocated pixels adjacent said at least one pixel with a predetermined color function of said at least one pixel, and if said colors are within a predetermined relationship, allocating said adjacent pixels to said region; generating a predetermined number of color planes from said regions, determining color information content data for each said region, creating boundaries for each of said regions, and determining corresponding spline information of said boundaries of said regions.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for transforming pixel data of an image into region data, said method comprising the steps of: generating a plurality of regions from the pixel data, each said region being grown from at least one pixel unallocated to any other of said regions by comparing a color of unallocated pixels adjacent said at least one pixel with a predetermined color function of said at least one pixel, and if said colors are within a predetermined relationship, allocating said adjacent pixels to said region; generating a predetermined number of color planes from said regions, determining color information content data for each said region, creating boundaries for each of said regions, and determining corresponding spline information of said boundaries of said regions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the color information content data of each said region comprises color blending information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said pixel regions are formed from 4-connected groups of pixels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein said generation of a predetermined number of planes comprises assigning a plane to each said region and then reducing the number of planes by choosing two planes which are close in color and merging the two planes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the step of creating said boundaries step includes smoothing the boundaries of said pixel regions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the step of determining said corresponding spline information includes assigning a number of splines to each region dependant on the length of the boundary of each region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the step of determining said corresponding spline information includes using a least squares fitting method through the pixels on the boundaries of each region.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for transforming pixel data of an image into region data, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a plurality of regions from the pixel data, each said region being grown from at least one pixel unallocated to any other of said regions by comparing a color of unallocated pixels adjacent said at least one pixel with a predetermined color function of said at least one pixel, and if said colors are within a predetermined relationship, allocating said adjacent pixels to said region; means for determining color information content data of each said region; means for creating boundaries for each of said regions based on the color information content data; and means for determining corresponding spline information of said boundaries of each of said regions.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for transforming pixel data of an image into region data, said apparatus comprising: means for generating a plurality of regions from the pixel data, each said region being grown from at least one pixel unallocated to any other of said regions by comparing a color of unallocated pixels adjacent said at least one pixel with a predetermined color function of said at least one pixel, and if said colors are within a predetermined relationship, allocating said adjacent pixels to said region; means for determining color information content data of each said region; means for creating boundaries for each of said regions based on the color information content data; and means for determining corresponding spline information of said boundaries of each of said regions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 further comprising input means for inputting said pixel data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said input means comprises a scanner.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein said input means is a video signal producing apparatus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 further comprising generating means for generating image data based on said spline data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or 24 further comprising output means for outputting the image data.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein said output means is a printer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein said output means is a display.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for transforming pixel data of an image into region data, said apparatus comprising; means for generating a plurality of regions from the pixel data, each said region being grown from at least one pixel unallocated to any other of said regions by comparing a color of unallocated pixels adjacent said at least one pixel with a predetermined color function of said at least one pixel, and if said colors are within a predetermined relationship, allocating said adjacent pixels to said region; means for generating a predetermined number of color planes from said regions, means for determining color information content data for each said region, means for creating boundaries for each of said regions, and means for determining corresponding spline information of said boundaries of said regions.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for transforming pixel data of an image into region data, said apparatus comprising; means for generating a plurality of regions from the pixel data, each said region being grown from at least one pixel unallocated to any other of said regions by comparing a color of unallocated pixels adjacent said at least one pixel with a predetermined color function of said at least one pixel, and if said colors are within a predetermined relationship, allocating said adjacent pixels to said region; means for generating a predetermined number of color planes from said regions, means for determining color information content data for each said region, means for creating boundaries for each of said regions, and means for determining corresponding spline information of said boundaries of said regions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 further comprising input means for inputting said pixel data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 wherein said input means comprises a scanner.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein said input means is a video signal producing apparatus.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 further comprising generating means for generating image data based on said spline data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 28 or 32 further comprising output means for outputting the image data.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein said output means is a printer.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein said output means is a display.
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) | 1998-09-25 | 1999-03-27 | 1999-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-25 | 2003-03-27 | 2003-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-25 | 2007-03-27 | 2007-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |