US5671013A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Luminance correction apparatus for image signals
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1992-10-28
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2012-10-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for correcting a luminance level of a still picture obtains first and second images of the same object to produce two sets of pixels of image information. A boundary luminance level is set between the maximum and minimum luminance levels of the first image. A correspondent luminance level is determined as the luminance level of the pixels of the second image which correspond to those pixels of the first image having a luminance level equal to the boundary luminance level. A substitution correction value is determined for each pixel of the second image which corresponds with a pixel of the first image having a luminance level above or below the boundary luminance level. Each substitution correction value is a function of the boundary luminance level and the correspondent luminance level. Each pixel of the first image which has a luminance level above or below the boundary luminance level is replaced with the corresponding pixel of the second image corrected by the respective substitution correction value, the replaced pixel being within a luminance range extending from the minimum to the maximum luminance level of the first image.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshio Nakao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for correcting a luminance level of a still picture, comprising: means for obtaining a first image of an object comprised of pixels having first image information and a second image of the same object comprised of corresponding pixels having second image information; means for setting a boundary luminance level smaller than a maximum luminance level of said first image and larger than a minimum luminance level of said first image; means for determining a correspondent luminance level of said pixels of said second image which correspond with those pixels of said first image having said boundary luminance level; means for determining a respective substitution correction value for each pixel of said second image which corresponds with a respective pixel of said first image having a luminance level above or below said boundary luminance level, each said respective substitution correction value being a function of said boundary luminance level and said correspondent luminance level; and means for substituting each of said pixels of said first image having said luminance level above or below said boundary luminance level with said corresponding respective pixel of said second image corrected by said respective substitution correction value, each of the substituted corrected pixels having a luminance value within a luminance range extending from said minimum luminance level to said maximum luminance level of said first image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for correcting a luminance level of a still picture, comprising: means for obtaining a first image of an object comprised of pixels having first image information and a second image of the same object comprised of corresponding pixels having second image information; means for setting a boundary luminance level smaller than a maximum luminance level of said first image and larger than a minimum luminance level of said first image; means for determining a correspondent luminance level of said pixels of said second image which correspond with those pixels of said first image having said boundary luminance level; means for determining a respective substitution correction value for each pixel of said second image which corresponds with a respective pixel of said first image having a luminance level above or below said boundary luminance level, each said respective substitution correction value being a function of said boundary luminance level and said correspondent luminance level; and means for substituting each of said pixels of said first image having said luminance level above or below said boundary luminance level with said corresponding respective pixel of said second image corrected by said respective substitution correction value, each of the substituted corrected pixels having a luminance value within a luminance range extending from said minimum luminance level to said maximum luminance level of said first image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the correspondent luminance level is a mean value of all of the luminance levels of said pixels of said second image corresponding with said pixels of said first image having said boundary luminance level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for setting said boundary luminance level formulates a histogram of luminance levels of said first image and sets said boundary luminance level as the luminance level having a lowest frequency of occurrence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said respective substitution correction values is equal to d/Y2, where d= (max2-th) (Y2-max1)/(max1-Yth)!+max2, max1 and max2 are maximum luminance levels of said first and second images, respectively, th is said boundary luminance level, Yth is said correspondent luminance level and Y2 is said luminance level of each respective pixel of said second image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for substituting substitutes each of said respective pixels of said first image having said luminance level above or below said boundary luminance level with said corresponding respective pixel of said second image multiplied by said respective substitution correction value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for substituting corrects R, G and B components of said corresponding respective pixels of said second image by multiplying each of said R, G and B components by said respective substitution correction value.
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) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |