US6236433B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scaling algorithm for efficient color representation/recovery in video
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1998-09-29
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Granted: 2001-05-22
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Expires: 2018-09-29
Abstract
Abstract What is disclosed is a method comprising defining a scaling region by indicating in a CFA (Color Filter Array) a starting location, and generating a super-pixel which is a downscaled version of the scaling region, the super-pixel fully color interpolated, the downscaling and the color interpolation achieved in an integrated manner.
Inventors
- 👤 Tinku Acharya
- 👤 Werner Metz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:55
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G06T3/4015; G06T3/4007; G06T3/403; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N23/843; H04N25/00; H04N25/10; H04N25/11; H04N25/13; H04N25/134; H04N7/00; H04N7/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method comprising: defining a scaling region in a CFA (Color Filter Array) image; and generating a super-pixel which is a downscaled version of said scaling region, said super-pixel being fully color interpolated, by applying a mask to a sub-image region of the CFA image, said sub-image region having pixels of all the same color plane and normalizing the result of applying said mask to form a color component of said super-pixel, said color component having the color associated with the sub-image region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method comprising: defining a scaling region in a CFA (Color Filter Array) image; and generating a super-pixel which is a downscaled version of said scaling region, said super-pixel being fully color interpolated, by applying a mask to a sub-image region of the CFA image, said sub-image region having pixels of all the same color plane and normalizing the result of applying said mask to form a color component of said super-pixel, said color component having the color associated with the sub-image region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said CFA has each pixel associated with only one of three color planes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said color planes are Red, Green and Blue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said CFA is arranged in a Bayer pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said down scaling is 4 to 1 down scaling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein full color interpolation for each super-pixel denotes that each super-pixel has components for all three said Red, Green and Blue color planes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said mask is configured to favor a central portion of said sub-image region while maintaining the ability to represent edge features occurring elsewhere than said central portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said color planes are Magenta, White and Yellow.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus comprising: a scaling and color interpolation unit configured to transform CFA (Color Filter Array) pixels, each associated with only one of multiple color components, into downscaled super-pixels, each super-pixel having all of said color components, by applying a mask to a sub-image region of the CFA pixels, said sub-image region having pixels of all the same color plane and normalizing the result of applying said mask to form a color component of a super-pixel, said color component having the color associated with the sub-image region.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
87 words
An apparatus comprising: a scaling and color interpolation unit configured to transform CFA (Color Filter Array) pixels, each associated with only one of multiple color components, into downscaled super-pixels, each super-pixel having all of said color components, by applying a mask to a sub-image region of the CFA pixels, said sub-image region having pixels of all the same color plane and normalizing the result of applying said mask to form a color component of a super-pixel, said color component having the color associated with the sub-image region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 comprising: a memory coupled to said scaling and color interpolation unit, configured to store said super-pixel data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 comprising: an image sensor coupled to said scaling and color interpolation unit, said sensor providing in a Bayer pattern data for said CFA.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said scaling and color interpolation unit is incorporated into an imaging device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said imaging device is a digital camera.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
104 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which when executed by a processor cause: a scaling region to be defined in a CFA (Color Filter Array) image; and a super-pixel which is a downscaled version of said scaling region to be generated, said super-pixel being fully color interpolated, by applying a mask to a sub-image region of the CFA image, said sub-image region having pixels of all the same color plane and normalizing the result of applying said mask to form a color component of said super-pixel, said color component having the color associated with the sub-image region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
104 words
An article of manufacture comprising a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which when executed by a processor cause: a scaling region to be defined in a CFA (Color Filter Array) image; and a super-pixel which is a downscaled version of said scaling region to be generated, said super-pixel being fully color interpolated, by applying a mask to a sub-image region of the CFA image, said sub-image region having pixels of all the same color plane and normalizing the result of applying said mask to form a color component of said super-pixel, said color component having the color associated with the sub-image region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein said CFA image has each pixel therein associated with only one of three color planes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The article of manufacture of claim 15 wherein said color planes are Red, Green and Blue.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The article of manufacture of claim 16 wherein said CFA image is arranged in a Bayer pattern.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of manufacture of claim 17 wherein full color interpolation for each super-pixel denotes that each super-pixel has components for all three of said Red, Green, and Blue color planes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
48 words
The article of manufacture of claim 14 wherein the medium includes further instructions which when executed by the processor cause said mask to be configured to favor a central portion of said sub-image region while maintaining the ability to represent edge features occurring elsewhere than said central portion.
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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) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |