US6118907A
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US
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Image processing method and system
Assignee: Fujifilm Corp
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Filing: 1997-10-03
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Granted: 2000-09-12
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Expires: 2017-10-03
Abstract
Abstract In a first image processing apparatus, a digital image signal representing an image before being subjected to shutting light processing, and an unsharp image signal representing an unsharp mask image used for shutting light processing are formed. The unsharp image signal is obtained from the digital image signal. Compression processing is performed on the digital image signal to form a compressed digital image signal. Compression processing is also performed on the unsharp image signal, thereby forming a compressed unsharp image signal. The compressed digital image and unsharp image signals are stored on a storage medium, and then delivered to a second image processing apparatus. In the second image processing apparatus, the compressed digital image and unsharp image signals are reproduced from the storage medium, and decompression processing is performed on the compressed digital image and unsharp image signals to obtain decompressed digital image and unsharp image signals. Shutting light processing is then performed in the second image processing apparatus by using both the decomposed digital image and unsharp image signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Tooru Matama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An image processing method for use in shutting light processing, comprising: forming an unsharp image signal in a first image processing apparatus, which represents an unsharp mask image to be used for the shutting light processing, wherein the unsharp image signal is formed from an original digital image signal to be used for the shutting light processing; performing compression processing on the unsharp image signal and the original digital image signal, a compressed unsharp image signal and compressed original digital image signal being thereby formed in the first image processing apparatus; and reproducing the compressed unsharp image and original digital image signals in a second image processing apparatus; performing decompression processing on said compressed unsharp image and original digital image signals, a decompressed unsharp image signal and a decompressed original digital image signal being thereby obtained in said second image processing apparatus; and performing shutting light processing by combining the decompressed unsharp image signal with the decompressed original digital image signal in the second image processing apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An image processing method for use in shutting light processing, comprising: forming an unsharp image signal in a first image processing apparatus, which represents an unsharp mask image to be used for the shutting light processing, wherein the unsharp image signal is formed from an original digital image signal to be used for the shutting light processing; performing compression processing on the unsharp image signal and the original digital image signal, a compressed unsharp image signal and compressed original digital image signal being thereby formed in the first image processing apparatus; and reproducing the compressed unsharp image and original digital image signals in a second image processing apparatus; performing decompression processing on said compressed unsharp image and original digital image signals, a decompressed unsharp image signal and a decompressed original digital image signal being thereby obtained in said second image processing apparatus; and performing shutting light processing by combining the decompressed unsharp image signal with the decompressed original digital image signal in the second image processing apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the compression processing is a thinning-out processing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the decompression processing is a processing for enlarging the decompressed unsharp image to a size coinciding to that of the decompressed digital image to be subjected to shutting light processing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the digital image signal, which represents the image before being subjected to shutting light processing, has gradation characteristics such that details of the image are maintained both in a highlight and shadow side of said digital image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the first image processing apparatus is a large-scaled image processing station, and the second image processing apparatus is a personal computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
176 words
An image processing system which utilizes shutting light processing, comprising: i) a first image processing apparatus including: forming means for forming an unsharp image signal, which represents the unsharp mask image to be used for the shutting light processing, wherein the unsharp image signal is obtained from an original digital image signal; compression processing means for performing compression processing on the unsharp image signal to form a compressed unsharp image signal, and for performing compression processing on the original digital image signal to form a compressed original digital image signal; and ii) a second image processing apparatus including: reproducing means for reproducing the compressed original digital image signal and the compressed unsharp image signal; decompression processing means for performing decompression processing on the compressed unsharp image signal to obtain a decompressed unsharp image signal, and for performing decompression processing on the compressed original digital image signal to obtain a decompressed original digital image signal; and processing means for performing shutting light processing by combining the decompressed unsharp image signal with the decompressed original digital image signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
176 words
An image processing system which utilizes shutting light processing, comprising: i) a first image processing apparatus including: forming means for forming an unsharp image signal, which represents the unsharp mask image to be used for the shutting light processing, wherein the unsharp image signal is obtained from an original digital image signal; compression processing means for performing compression processing on the unsharp image signal to form a compressed unsharp image signal, and for performing compression processing on the original digital image signal to form a compressed original digital image signal; and ii) a second image processing apparatus including: reproducing means for reproducing the compressed original digital image signal and the compressed unsharp image signal; decompression processing means for performing decompression processing on the compressed unsharp image signal to obtain a decompressed unsharp image signal, and for performing decompression processing on the compressed original digital image signal to obtain a decompressed original digital image signal; and processing means for performing shutting light processing by combining the decompressed unsharp image signal with the decompressed original digital image signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said compression processing means is a thinning-out processor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein said decompression processing means for the unsharp image is an image enlargement processor for enlarging the decompressed unsharp image to a size coinciding with that of the digital image to be subjected to the shutting light processing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein the digital image signal, which represents the image before being subjected to shutting light processing, has gradation characteristics such that details of the image are maintained both in a highlight and shadow side of said digital image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as defined in claim 6 wherein the first image processing apparatus is a large-scaled image processing station, and the second image processing apparatus is a personal computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
174 words
An image processing method for use in shutting light processing, comprising: forming an unsharp image signal in a first image processing apparatus, which represents an unsharp mask image to be used for the shutting light processing, wherein said unsharp image signal is formed from an original digital image signal to be used for the shutting light processing; performing compression processing on said unsharp and original digital image signals, a compressed unsharp image signal and a compressed original digital image signal being thereby formed in said first image processing apparatus; storing said compressed digital image signal and said compressed unsharp image signal on an independent deliverable storage medium; reproducing said compressed unsharp and original digital image signals in a second image processing apparatus; performing decompression processing on said compressed unsharp and original digital image signals, a decompressed unsharp image signal and a compressed original digital image signal being thereby obtained in said second image processing apparatus; and performing shutting light processing by combining said decompressed unsharp image signal with said decompressed original digital image signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
174 words
An image processing method for use in shutting light processing, comprising: forming an unsharp image signal in a first image processing apparatus, which represents an unsharp mask image to be used for the shutting light processing, wherein said unsharp image signal is formed from an original digital image signal to be used for the shutting light processing; performing compression processing on said unsharp and original digital image signals, a compressed unsharp image signal and a compressed original digital image signal being thereby formed in said first image processing apparatus; storing said compressed digital image signal and said compressed unsharp image signal on an independent deliverable storage medium; reproducing said compressed unsharp and original digital image signals in a second image processing apparatus; performing decompression processing on said compressed unsharp and original digital image signals, a decompressed unsharp image signal and a compressed original digital image signal being thereby obtained in said second image processing apparatus; and performing shutting light processing by combining said decompressed unsharp image signal with said decompressed original digital image signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
101 words
An image processing method for use in shutting light processing, comprising: forming unsharp image signals in a first image processor, wherein the unsharp image signals are obtained from original digital image signals used for said shutting light processing; performing image compressing of the unsharp and original digital image signals; accessing the compressed unsharp and original digital image signals with a reproducing section of a second image processor; decompressing the compressed unsharp and original digital image signals with a decompression section; and processing the decompressed unsharp and original digital image signals received from said decompression section with a shutting light processing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
101 words
An image processing method for use in shutting light processing, comprising: forming unsharp image signals in a first image processor, wherein the unsharp image signals are obtained from original digital image signals used for said shutting light processing; performing image compressing of the unsharp and original digital image signals; accessing the compressed unsharp and original digital image signals with a reproducing section of a second image processor; decompressing the compressed unsharp and original digital image signals with a decompression section; and processing the decompressed unsharp and original digital image signals received from said decompression section with a shutting light processing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12, further including: selectively inputting desired information to the shutting light processing section in the second image processor, wherein the desired information is input by a user of the second image processor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of performing image compressing of the unsharp image signals further includes thinning-out processing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 12, further including: forming digital image signals in the first image processor, wherein the unsharp signals are formed from the digital signals; image compressing the unsharp and original digital image signals; accessing said compressed digital image signals separately from said compressed unsharp image signals, said accessing done in a second image processor; and combining said decompressed unsharp and original digital image signals within a shutting light processing section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 15, wherein decompressing the unsharp image further includes enlarging the decompressed unsharp image signals to a size equal to that of the digital image signals sent to the shutting light processing section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the first image processor is an image processing laboratory and the second image processor is a personal computer.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing a compressed unsharp image, comprising: forming an unsharp image signal from an input original digital image signal of an original digital image, wherein a mask image representing the unsharp image signal is to be combined with said original digital image signal in the reproduction of the original digital image; compressing the unsharp and original digital image signals separately from one another; and storing the compressed unsharp and original digital image signals, wherein the compressing step is performed after the forming step so that information carried by said unsharp image signal will not be lost during compression.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of producing a compressed unsharp image, comprising: forming an unsharp image signal from an input original digital image signal of an original digital image, wherein a mask image representing the unsharp image signal is to be combined with said original digital image signal in the reproduction of the original digital image; compressing the unsharp and original digital image signals separately from one another; and storing the compressed unsharp and original digital image signals, wherein the compressing step is performed after the forming step so that information carried by said unsharp image signal will not be lost during compression.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image processing system, comprising: a processor for forming an unsharp image signal from an input original digital image signal, wherein a mask image representing the unsharp image signal is to be combined with said original digital image signal in the reproduction of an original image; and a compressing unit for separately compressing the unsharp and original digital image signals, wherein the unsharp and original digital image signals are compressed after the unsharp image signal is formed so that information carried by said unsharp image signal will not be lost during compression.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image processing system, comprising: a processor for forming an unsharp image signal from an input original digital image signal, wherein a mask image representing the unsharp image signal is to be combined with said original digital image signal in the reproduction of an original image; and a compressing unit for separately compressing the unsharp and original digital image signals, wherein the unsharp and original digital image signals are compressed after the unsharp image signal is formed so that information carried by said unsharp image signal will not be lost during compression.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, further including storing the digital image signal and compressed unsharp image signal in a memory of the first image processing apparatus.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as defined in claim 6, further including a memory in the first image processing apparatus for storing the digital image signal and compressed unsharp image signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
202 words
An image processing system which utilizes shutting light processing, comprising: a first image processing apparatus including: a forming section for forming an unsharp image signal which represents an unsharp mask image to be used for the shutting light processing, wherein said unsharp image signal is obtained from [a] an original digital image signal; a compression processing section for performing compression processing on said unsharp image signal to form a compressed unsharp image signal, and for performing parallel compression processing on said original digital image signal to form a compressed original digital image signal; and an independent deliverable storage medium for storing said compressed digital image signal and said compressed unsharp image signal; and a second image processing apparatus including: a reproducing section for reproducing said compressed digital image signal and said compressed unsharp image signal; a decompression processing section for performing decompression processing on said compressed unsharp image signal to obtain a decompressed unsharp image signal, and for performing parallel decompression processing on said compressed original digital image signal to obtain a decompressed original digital image signal; and a shutting light processing section for performing shutting light processing by combining said decompressed unsharp image signal with said decompressed original digital image signal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
202 words
An image processing system which utilizes shutting light processing, comprising: a first image processing apparatus including: a forming section for forming an unsharp image signal which represents an unsharp mask image to be used for the shutting light processing, wherein said unsharp image signal is obtained from [a] an original digital image signal; a compression processing section for performing compression processing on said unsharp image signal to form a compressed unsharp image signal, and for performing parallel compression processing on said original digital image signal to form a compressed original digital image signal; and an independent deliverable storage medium for storing said compressed digital image signal and said compressed unsharp image signal; and a second image processing apparatus including: a reproducing section for reproducing said compressed digital image signal and said compressed unsharp image signal; a decompression processing section for performing decompression processing on said compressed unsharp image signal to obtain a decompressed unsharp image signal, and for performing parallel decompression processing on said compressed original digital image signal to obtain a decompressed original digital image signal; and a shutting light processing section for performing shutting light processing by combining said decompressed unsharp image signal with said decompressed original digital image signal.
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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) | 2003-09-12 | 2004-03-13 | 2004-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | 2008-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-12 | 2012-03-13 | 2012-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |