US6014468A
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Apparatus and methods for image and signal processing
Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 1998-07-30
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2018-07-30
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and methods for efficiently processing signal and image data are described. The invention provides a representation of signal and image data that can be used as a figure of merit to compare and characterize different signal processing techniques. The representation can be used as an intermediate result that is may be subjected to further processing, and/or may be used as a control element for processing operations. As a provider of an intermediate result, the invention can be used as a step in processes for the transduction, storage, enhancement, refinement, feature extraction, compression, coding, transmission, or display of image, audio and other data. The invention improves manipulation of data from intrinsically unpredictable, or partially random sources. The result is a concise coding of the data in a form permitting robust and efficient data processing, a reduction in storage demands, and restoration of original data with minimal error and degradation. The invention provides a system of coding source data derived from the external environment, whether noise-free or contaminated by random components, and regardless of whether the data are represented in its natural state, such as photons, or have been pre-processed.
Inventors
- 👤 Sean T. McCarthy
- 👤 William G. Owen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06F; G06F17/00; G06F17/10; G06T5/00; G06T5/70; G06T9/00; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/20; G06T2207/20048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of processing a set of input data X(v) representing a desired signal component plus an undesired contamination component, the method comprising the following steps: obtaining an ensemble-averaged power spectrum of the signal component, <|K S (v)| 2 >; obtaining an ensemble-averaged power spectrum of the contamination component, <|K N (v)| 2 >; forming a term B 2 =<|K N (v)| 2 >/<|K S (v)| 2 >; forming a filter function W(v), where |W(v)|=[1+b 2 B(v) 2 ] -1 , and b is greater than zero; forming a term U(v), where |U(v)|=[W(v)(1-W(v))] 1/2 ; and processing X(v) to form a result U(v) X(v).
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of processing a set of input data X(v) representing a desired signal component plus an undesired contamination component, the method comprising the following steps: obtaining an ensemble-averaged power spectrum of the signal component, <|K S (v)| 2 >; obtaining an ensemble-averaged power spectrum of the contamination component, <|K N (v)| 2 >; forming a term B 2 =<|K N (v)| 2 >/<|K S (v)| 2 >; forming a filter function W(v), where |W(v)|=[1+b 2 B(v) 2 ] -1 , and b is greater than zero; forming a term U(v), where |U(v)|=[W(v)(1-W(v))] 1/2 ; and processing X(v) to form a result U(v) X(v).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining an ensemble-averaged power spectrum of the signal component, further comprises: averaging a set of data known to represent the signal component of the set of input data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining an ensemble-averaged power spectrum of the contamination component, further comprises at least one step selected from a group consisting of (i) assuming a model for the contamination component and determining its ensemble-averaged power spectrum, and (ii) assuming a model for the contamination component that is a representation of white noise.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one step selected from a group consisting of (i) further processing the result U(v) X(v) by applying a desired signal processing technique, and (ii) quantizing the result U(v) X(v).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of quantizing the result U(v) X(v), wherein said quantizing includes at least one step selected from a group consisting of (i) comparing the result to a set of reference values determined from the result's ensemble average probability density function and generating a quantization value for the result corresponding to a member of the set of reference values, and (ii) comparing the result to a set of reference values determined from a model of an ensemble average probability density function and generating a quantization value for the result corresponding to a member of the set of reference values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein b 2 is inversely proportional to [a 1 +I n ], where a 1 is a constant, I is a mean value of the signal, and n is an integer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the set of input data is representative of visual image data.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of processing data representative of visual images, the method comprising the following steps: forming a filter function W(v), where |W(v)|=[1+b 2 B(v) 2 ] -1 , b 2 is a constant selected to satisfy |W(v)|<1 for all v, and B(v) is proportional to v; forming a term U(v), where |U(v)|=[W(v)(1-W(v))] 1/2 ; and processing X(v) to form result U(v) X(v).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of processing data representative of visual images, the method comprising the following steps: forming a filter function W(v), where |W(v)|=[1+b 2 B(v) 2 ] -1 , b 2 is a constant selected to satisfy |W(v)|<1 for all v, and B(v) is proportional to v; forming a term U(v), where |U(v)|=[W(v)(1-W(v))] 1/2 ; and processing X(v) to form result U(v) X(v).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 8, further comprising at least one step selected from a group consisting of (i) further processing the result U(v) X(v) by applying a desired signal processing technique, and (ii) providing the result U(v) X(v) as a control term to vary amplitude spectrum of the function filter function W(v).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising at least one step selected from a group consisting of (i) quantizing the result U(v) X(v), (ii) quantizing the result by comparing the result to a set of reference values determined from the result's ensemble average probability density function and generating a quantization value for the result corresponding to a member of the set of reference values, and (iii) quantizing the result U(v) X(v) by comparing the result to a set of reference values determined from a model of an ensemble average probability density function and generating a quantization value for the result corresponding to a member of the set of reference values.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 9, wherein b 2 is inversely proportional to [a 1 +I n ], where a 1 is a constant, I is a mean value of the signal, and n is an integer.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of characterizing a data processing operation which processes input data X to form a result Y, comprising the following steps: forming a function W, where |W| is proportional to |Y|/|X|; forming a function U, where |U| is equal to [|W|(1-|W|)].sup.1/2 ; and applying the function U to the input data X to obtain the result U(v) X(v).
Claim 15
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of characterizing a data processing operation which processes input data X to form a result Y, comprising the following steps: forming a function W, where |W| is proportional to |Y|/|X|; forming a function U, where |U| is equal to [|W|(1-|W|)].sup.1/2 ; and applying the function U to the input data X to obtain the result U(v) X(v).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 12, wherein input data X is representative of visual image data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
148 words
The method of claim 12, including a step of further processing the result U(v) X(v) using at least one technique selected from a group consisting of (i) applying a desired signal processing technique, (ii) providing the result U(v) X(v) as a control term to vary amplitude spectrum of the function filter function W(v), (iii) quantizing the result U(v) X(v), (iv) quantizing the result U(v) X(v) by comparing the result to a set of reference values determined from the result's ensemble average probability density function and generating a quantization value for the result corresponding to a member of the set of reference values, and (v) quantizing the result U(v) X(v) by comparing the result to a set of reference values determined from a model of an ensemble average probability density function and generating a quantization value for the result corresponding to a member of the set of reference values.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of characterizing a data processing operation that processes input data X to form a result Y, comprising the following steps: forming a function W, where |W| is proportional to |Y|/|X|; forming a function Z, where |Z| is equal to [(1-|W|)/|W|].sup.1/2 ; and applying the function Z to the output data Y to obtain the result Z(v) Y(v).
Claim 19
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of characterizing a data processing operation that processes input data X to form a result Y, comprising the following steps: forming a function W, where |W| is proportional to |Y|/|X|; forming a function Z, where |Z| is equal to [(1-|W|)/|W|].sup.1/2 ; and applying the function Z to the output data Y to obtain the result Z(v) Y(v).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, wherein input data X is representative of visual image data.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
154 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of: further processing the result Z(v) Y(v) using at least one step selected from a group consisting of (i) applying a desired signal processing technique to the result Z(v) Y(v), (ii) providing the result Z(v) Y(v) as a control term to vary amplitude spectrum of the function filter function W(v), (iii) quantizing the result Z(v) Y(v), (iv) quantizing the result Z(v) Y(v) by comparing the result to a set of reference values determined from the result's ensemble average probability density function and generating a quantization value for the result corresponding to a member of the set of reference values, (iv) quantizing the result Z(v) Y(v) further by comparing the result to a set of reference values determined from a model of an ensemble average probability density function and generating a quantization value for the result corresponding to a member of the set of reference values.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
133 words
A signal processing system, comprising: a data input node for inputting a signal X to be processed; a digital computing apparatus including at least a central processor unit and memory programmed to operate on an input signal to implement operations of: forming a first processing function W, wherein the amplitude spectrum W(v) is given by W(v)=(1+b.sup.2 B(v).sup.2).sup.-1 ; where b is a constant and B(v) is a positive, real valued function of frequency; forming a second processing function U having an amplitude spectrum given by [|W|(1-|W|)].sup.1/2 ; applying the second processing function U to the input data; performing a desired signal processing operation on the result of applying the second processing function U to the input data; and a display device for displaying a result of operations implemented by said digital computing apparatus.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
133 words
A signal processing system, comprising: a data input node for inputting a signal X to be processed; a digital computing apparatus including at least a central processor unit and memory programmed to operate on an input signal to implement operations of: forming a first processing function W, wherein the amplitude spectrum W(v) is given by W(v)=(1+b.sup.2 B(v).sup.2).sup.-1 ; where b is a constant and B(v) is a positive, real valued function of frequency; forming a second processing function U having an amplitude spectrum given by [|W|(1-|W|)].sup.1/2 ; applying the second processing function U to the input data; performing a desired signal processing operation on the result of applying the second processing function U to the input data; and a display device for displaying a result of operations implemented by said digital computing apparatus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The signal processing system of claim 18, wherein input signal X is representative of visual image data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
98 words
The signal processing system of claim 18, wherein B(v) has at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of (i) B(v) is proportional to v, (ii) B 2 (v) is proportional to [a 1 +v n ]/[a 2 +v m ] where a 1 and a 2 are constants and n and m are integers, (iii) B 2 (v) is represented by vector [0 . . . 0 -1 2 -1 0 . . . 0] where ellipses represent any number of zeros, and (iv) where a>0 and B 2 (v) is represented by a matrix: ##EQU13##
Claim 26
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of processing a signal, comprising the following steps: providing a signal generated by a stochastic process, the signal including a stochastic source component and a random process component; inputting the signal to a filter having an amplitude spectrum W 1 (v), where v is a frequency component of the signal, the filter output representing a weighting of the frequency component a greater amount if it is more likely attributable to the stochastic source than to the random process; and weighting the output of the filter by a function having an amplitude spectrum W 2 (v), where W 2 (v) is given by [(1-W.sub.1 (v))/W.sub.1 (v)].sup.1/2.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of processing a signal, comprising the following steps: providing a signal generated by a stochastic process, the signal including a stochastic source component and a random process component; inputting the signal to a filter having an amplitude spectrum W 1 (v), where v is a frequency component of the signal, the filter output representing a weighting of the frequency component a greater amount if it is more likely attributable to the stochastic source than to the random process; and weighting the output of the filter by a function having an amplitude spectrum W 2 (v), where W 2 (v) is given by [(1-W.sub.1 (v))/W.sub.1 (v)].sup.1/2.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of: providing the weighted output of the filter as a control signal to vary the amplitude spectrum of the filter, wherein the control signal has an expectable power spectrum proportional to |W 1 (v)W 2 (v)|.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of quantizing an output of the filter so controlled.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 21, wherein amplitude spectrum W 1 (v) is represented by W 1 (v)=[1+b 2 B(v) 2 ] -1 , where b is a constant and B(v) is a positive, real valued function of frequency.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 24, wherein B(v) is proportional to v.sup.±n, where n is an integer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
104 words
A signal processor, comprising: means for inputting data X(v) representing a desired signal component plus an undesired contamination component; filter means for filtering the data so input, the filter means having an amplitude spectrum W(v), where |W(v)|=[1+b 2 B(v) 2 ] -1 , B(v) is a positive, real valued function, and b is a positive number; means for weighting an output of the filter means by U(v), where |U(v)|=[W(v)(1-W(v))] 1/2 ; means for providing a weighted output of the filter means as a control signal to vary amplitude spectrum of the filter means; and means for processing X(v) to form the result U(v) X(v).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
104 words
A signal processor, comprising: means for inputting data X(v) representing a desired signal component plus an undesired contamination component; filter means for filtering the data so input, the filter means having an amplitude spectrum W(v), where |W(v)|=[1+b 2 B(v) 2 ] -1 , B(v) is a positive, real valued function, and b is a positive number; means for weighting an output of the filter means by U(v), where |U(v)|=[W(v)(1-W(v))] 1/2 ; means for providing a weighted output of the filter means as a control signal to vary amplitude spectrum of the filter means; and means for processing X(v) to form the result U(v) X(v).
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The signal processor of claim 26, wherein B(v) is proportional to v.sup.±n, where n is an integer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The signal processor of claim 26, wherein the filter means includes a resistive network having an adjustable parameter which is varied by a control signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The signal processor of claim 28, wherein the adjustable parameter is a ratio of sheet resistance to shunt resistance.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of enhancing regions of an image in which contrast discontinuities are present, the image formed from a plurality of signals generated by a stochastic process, wherein each signal includes a stochastic source component and a random process component, the method comprising the following steps: weighting the signals by a filter function having an amplitude spectrum W 1 (v), where v is a frequency component of the signal, the amplitude spectrum acting to selectively weight the frequency component greater if it is more likely attributable to the stochastic source than to the random process; weighting the output of the filter function by a function having an amplitude spectrum W2(v), where W 2 (v) is given by [(1-W1(v))/W.sub.1 (v)].sup.1/2 ; and adding a result of weighting output of the filter function by W 2 (v) to output of the filter function to form components of an enhanced image.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of enhancing regions of an image in which contrast discontinuities are present, the image formed from a plurality of signals generated by a stochastic process, wherein each signal includes a stochastic source component and a random process component, the method comprising the following steps: weighting the signals by a filter function having an amplitude spectrum W 1 (v), where v is a frequency component of the signal, the amplitude spectrum acting to selectively weight the frequency component greater if it is more likely attributable to the stochastic source than to the random process; weighting the output of the filter function by a function having an amplitude spectrum W2(v), where W 2 (v) is given by [(1-W1(v))/W.sub.1 (v)].sup.1/2 ; and adding a result of weighting output of the filter function by W 2 (v) to output of the filter function to form components of an enhanced image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 30, wherein amplitude spectrum W 1 (v) is given by W.sub.1 (v)=(1+b.sup.2 B(v).sup.2).sup.-1, where b is a constant and B(v) is a positive, real valued function of frequency.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 30, wherein B(v) is proportional to v.sup.±n, where n is an integer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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