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Apparatus for digital correction in an image system

Assignee: Hanger Solutions LLC
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Filing: 1996-01-11
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Granted: 1998-10-06
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Expires: 2016-01-11
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Abstract

Abstract An apparatus for digital correction in an image system is disclosed. The present invention comprises pre-processing means for automatically adjusting dc gain of an image signal; an analogue-to-digital converter for converting the adjusted image signal to a digital signal; bit-enhancing means for generating a bit-enhanced signal; and post-processing means for generating an image code by processing the bit-enhanced signal through highlight, shadow, Gamma and shading correction. The present invention provides an improved apparatus for correcting the photo-response non-uniformity, avoiding image defect, without sacrificing the accuracy of the image system.

Inventors

  • 👤 Chuan Yu Hsu

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 17:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/40006; H04N23/00; H04N23/80; H04N23/81; H04N1/401; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/701; H04N5/00; H04N5/14; H04N5/21

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim 72 words
An apparatus for digital correction in an image system comprising: pre-processing means for adjusting a dc gain of an image signal; an analogue-to-digital converter for converting the adjusted image signal to a digital signal; bit-enhancing means for generating a bit-enhanced signal according to the digital signal and a plurality of neighboring pixels; and post-processing means for generating an image code by processing the bit-enhanced signal through shading, highlight, shadow, and Gamma correction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 72 words
An apparatus for digital correction in an image system comprising: pre-processing means for adjusting a dc gain of an image signal; an analogue-to-digital converter for converting the adjusted image signal to a digital signal; bit-enhancing means for generating a bit-enhanced signal according to the digital signal and a plurality of neighboring pixels; and post-processing means for generating an image code by processing the bit-enhanced signal through shading, highlight, shadow, and Gamma correction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said pre-processing means is a DC-gain voltage amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said bit-enhancing means further performs calculating for generating said bit-enhanced signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said bit-enhancing means is a matrix filter having dimension m×n, wherein m and n are positive integers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said matrix filter has dimension 3×3.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 49 words
The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said matrix filter performs calculating which comprises the steps of: (a) calculating a first average of the eight neighboring pixels; and (b) generating said bit-enhanced signal by calculating a second average of the first average and the value of said digital signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said matrix filter has dimension 1×3.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said post-processing means is a divider.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said post-processing means is a multiplier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said post-processing means is further responsive to a shading vector for correcting shading phenomenon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said post-processing means is further responsive to a Gamma vector for correcting contrast of image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said post-processing means is further responsive to a highlight vector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said post-processing means is further responsive to a shadow vector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer for storing said image code.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a converting means for converting an image to said image signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said converting means comprises at least one charge-coupled device.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 123 words
An apparatus for digital correction in an image system comprising: charge-coupled device for converting an image to an image signal; a dc-gain voltage amplifier for adjusting dc gain of the image signal to compensate for fluctuation of the image signal or aging of the charge-coupled device; an analogue-to-digital converter for converting the adjusted image signal to a digital signal; a matrix filter having dimension m×n, wherein m and n are positive integers, for generating a bit-enhanced signal according to the digital signal and a plurality of neighboring pixels; post-processing means for generating an image code by processing the bit-enhanced signal responsive to a shading vector, a Gamma vector, a highlight vector, and a shadow vector; and a buffer for storing the image code.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 123 words
An apparatus for digital correction in an image system comprising: charge-coupled device for converting an image to an image signal; a dc-gain voltage amplifier for adjusting dc gain of the image signal to compensate for fluctuation of the image signal or aging of the charge-coupled device; an analogue-to-digital converter for converting the adjusted image signal to a digital signal; a matrix filter having dimension m×n, wherein m and n are positive integers, for generating a bit-enhanced signal according to the digital signal and a plurality of neighboring pixels; post-processing means for generating an image code by processing the bit-enhanced signal responsive to a shading vector, a Gamma vector, a highlight vector, and a shadow vector; and a buffer for storing the image code.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 56 words
The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said matrix filter has dimension 3×3, and said matrix filter performs calculation which comprises the steps of: (a) calculating a first average of the eight neighboring pixels; and (b) generating said bit-enhanced signal by calculating a second average of the first average and the value of said digital signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said post-processing means is a divider or a multiplier.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5561724A Cited

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