US6347153B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for classifying and processing of pixels of image data
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1998-09-23
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Granted: 2002-02-12
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Expires: 2018-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A system and method classify a pixel of image data as one of a plurality of image types. A first image characteristic value for the pixel, a second image characteristic value for the pixel, a third image characteristic value for the pixel, and a fourth image characteristic for the pixel is determined. Some of these determinations may be resolution dependent. The values from these determination are utilized in assigning an image type classification to the pixel. An auto-segmentation circuit enables classifying a pixel as a continuous tone and detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member. A filter enhances the image data of the pixel tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate greater than a predetermined threshold is detected or lowpasses the image data of the pixel tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger L. Triplett
- 👤 Raymond J. Clark
- 👤 Jeng-Nan Shiau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/40062; G; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/40; G06T7/41; G06T7/44; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10004; G06T2207/10008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining a continuous tone classification type of a pixel of image data in a window of pixels, comprising the steps of: (a) classifying the pixel as representing a continuous tone; (b) detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; and (c) classifying the pixel as a rough continuous tone when said step (b) detects a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate greater than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining a continuous tone classification type of a pixel of image data in a window of pixels, comprising the steps of: (a) classifying the pixel as representing a continuous tone; (b) detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; and (c) classifying the pixel as a rough continuous tone when said step (b) detects a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate greater than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the step of: (d) classifying the pixel as a smooth continuous tone when said step (b) detects a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than the predetermined threshold.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said step (a) classifies the pixel manually through a user interface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said step (a) classifies the pixel automatically based on histogram information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said step (a) classifies the pixel manually through a user interface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said step (a) classifies the pixel automatically based on histogram information.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method a claimed in claim 1 , wherein said gradient is measured based on a sum of the Laplacians for pixels within the window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method a claimed in claim 2 , wherein said gradient is measured based on a sum of the Laplacians for pixels within the window.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for determining a continuous tone classification type of a pixel of image data in a window of pixels, comprising: an auto-segmentation circuit to enable classifying a pixel as a continuous tone; and means for detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; said auto-segmentation circuit classifying the pixel as a rough continuous tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate greater than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for determining a continuous tone classification type of a pixel of image data in a window of pixels, comprising: an auto-segmentation circuit to enable classifying a pixel as a continuous tone; and means for detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; said auto-segmentation circuit classifying the pixel as a rough continuous tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate greater than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said auto-segmentation circuit classifies the pixel as a smooth continuous tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as claimed in claim 9 , further comprising: an user interface which enables an user to classify the pixel manually.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said auto-segmentation circuit classifies the pixel automatically based on histogram information.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as claimed in claim 10 , further comprising: an user interface which enables an user to classify the pixel manually.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as claimed in claim 10 , wherein said auto-segmentation circuit classifies the pixel automatically based on histogram information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system a claimed in claim 9 , wherein said gradient is measured based on a sum of the Laplacians for pixels within the window.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system a claimed in claim 10 , wherein said gradient is measured based on a sum of the Laplacians for pixels within the window.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
A rendering system for processing a pixel of image data in a window of pixels based on a continuous tone classification type, comprising: an auto-segmentation circuit to enable classifying a pixel as a continuous tone; means for detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; and a filter to enhance the image data of the pixel tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate greater than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
88 words
A rendering system for processing a pixel of image data in a window of pixels based on a continuous tone classification type, comprising: an auto-segmentation circuit to enable classifying a pixel as a continuous tone; means for detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; and a filter to enhance the image data of the pixel tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate greater than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
The rendering system as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said filter low-passes the image data of the pixel tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rendering system as claimed in claim 17 , further comprising: an user interface which enables an user to classify the pixel manually.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rendering system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said auto-segmentation circuit classifies the pixel automatically based on histogram information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The rendering system as claimed in claim 17 , further comprising: an user interface which enables an user to classify the pixel manually.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The rendering system as claimed in claim 18 , wherein said auto-segmentation circuit classifies the pixel automatically based on histogram information.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The rendering system a claimed in claim 17 , wherein said gradient is measured based on a sum of the Laplacians for pixels within the window.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The rendering system a claimed in claim 18 , wherein said gradient is measured based on a sum of the Laplacians for pixels within the window.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining a continuous tone classification type of a pixel of image data in a window of pixels, comprising the steps of: (a) classifying the pixel as representing a continuous tone; (b) detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; and (c) classifying the pixel as a smooth continuous tone when said step (b) detects a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for determining a continuous tone classification type of a pixel of image data in a window of pixels, comprising the steps of: (a) classifying the pixel as representing a continuous tone; (b) detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; and (c) classifying the pixel as a smooth continuous tone when said step (b) detects a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for determining a continuous tone classification type of a pixel of image data in a window of pixels, comprising: an auto-segmentation circuit to enable classifying a pixel as a continuous tone; and means for detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; wherein said auto-segmentation circuit classifies the pixel as a smooth continuous tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
87 words
A system for determining a continuous tone classification type of a pixel of image data in a window of pixels, comprising: an auto-segmentation circuit to enable classifying a pixel as a continuous tone; and means for detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; wherein said auto-segmentation circuit classifies the pixel as a smooth continuous tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
88 words
A rendering system for processing a pixel of image data in a window of pixels based on a continuous tone classification type, comprising: an auto-segmentation circuit to enable classifying a pixel as a continuous tone; means for detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; and a filter to lowpass the image data of the pixel tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold is detected.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
88 words
A rendering system for processing a pixel of image data in a window of pixels based on a continuous tone classification type, comprising: an auto-segmentation circuit to enable classifying a pixel as a continuous tone; means for detecting a gradient in the window of pixels of which the pixel is a member; and a filter to lowpass the image data of the pixel tone when a gradient indicating that image data within the window of pixels is changing at a rate less than a predetermined threshold is detected.
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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) | 2005-02-11 | 2005-08-13 | 2006-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-11 | 2009-08-13 | 2010-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-11 | 2013-08-13 | 2014-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |