US6426771B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image processing apparatus and method and computer readable memory storing the method
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-21
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Granted: 2002-07-30
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Expires: 2017-07-21
Abstract
Abstract A color image signal input from a CCD or the like is processed to generate a color image signal containing a color subimage portion or a monochrome image signal containing a monochrome subimage portion and to record the image signals directly or after the image signals are JPEG compressed. For JPEG color recording, a color image signal supplied from a CCD and A/D converter is input to a selector, and to a 10/16 converting circuit and a first FIFO, and thereafter a color image and its color subimage are generated by a video processing circuit and compressed by a JPEG circuit, and output from a second FIFO and bus I/F to be recorded. For JPEG monochrome recording, an input color image signal is supplied to the 10/16 converting circuit and clamp circuit, multiplied at the first FIFO by a predetermined coefficient to generate a monochrome image containing a subimage. For RAW color or monochrome recording, JPEG compression is not performed.
Inventors
- 👤 Masato Kosugi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N5/77; H04N5/772; H04N5/78; H04N5/781; H04N5/84; H04N5/85; H04N5/907; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/80; H04N9/804; H04N9/8042; H04N9/8047; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An image processing method comprising: an input step of inputting an image signal; a selecting step of selecting a precessing method of said image signal input in said input step, said selecting step selecting one of at least a first image processing step of obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step of obtaining a monochrome image signal; and a compressing step of compressing said image signal input in said input step according to the image processing step selected at said selecting step, said compressing step compressing said image signal using a JPEG method and being able to perform compression with a quantization table all data of which are set to one.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An image processing method comprising: an input step of inputting an image signal; a selecting step of selecting a precessing method of said image signal input in said input step, said selecting step selecting one of at least a first image processing step of obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step of obtaining a monochrome image signal; and a compressing step of compressing said image signal input in said input step according to the image processing step selected at said selecting step, said compressing step compressing said image signal using a JPEG method and being able to perform compression with a quantization table all data of which are set to one.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein said compressing step compresses said image signal by setting all the data of the quantization table to one, when the second image reprocessing step is selected in said selecting step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein the input image signal is an image signal supplied from image pickup means for picking up a subject image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An image processing method according to claim 3 , wherein said image pickup means includes a CCD device with a color filter disposed at each pixel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
An image processing method according to claim 1 , further comprising a generating step of generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal when said selection step selects said first image processing step, and generating a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal when said selecting step selects said second image processing step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
An image processing method according to claim 5 , further comprising the steps of: selecting either the input image signal or the image signal compressed by said compressing step; and selectively setting either a first mode or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An image processing method according to claim 6 , further comprising the step of recording each image signal output during the first or second mode in a recording medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
182 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of image processing steps each processing an input image signal, said input image signal being a color image signal; selecting one of the plurality of image processing steps, the plurality of image processing steps including a first image processing step for obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step for obtaining a monochrome image signal; compressing an image signal compressed by the image processing step selected at said selecting step; controlling a compression factor used at said compressing step in accordance with a selection by said selecting step; generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal or a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal, in accordance with a selection by said selecting step; selecting either the input image signal or the image signal compressed by said compressing step; and selecting setting either a first mode or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
182 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of image processing steps each processing an input image signal, said input image signal being a color image signal; selecting one of the plurality of image processing steps, the plurality of image processing steps including a first image processing step for obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step for obtaining a monochrome image signal; compressing an image signal compressed by the image processing step selected at said selecting step; controlling a compression factor used at said compressing step in accordance with a selection by said selecting step; generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal or a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal, in accordance with a selection by said selecting step; selecting either the input image signal or the image signal compressed by said compressing step; and selecting setting either a first mode or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
193 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of image processing steps each processing an input image signal, said input image signal being a color image signal; selecting one of the plurality of image processing steps, the plurality of image processing steps including a first image processing step for obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step for obtaining a monochrome image signal; compressing an image signal compressed by the processing step selected at said selecting step; controlling a compression factor used at said compressing step in accordance with a selection by said selecting step; generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal or a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal, in accordance with a selection by selecting step; selecting either the input image signal or the compressed by said compressing step; and selectively setting either a first or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal; and recording each image signal output during the first or second mode on a recording medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
193 words
An image processing method comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of image processing steps each processing an input image signal, said input image signal being a color image signal; selecting one of the plurality of image processing steps, the plurality of image processing steps including a first image processing step for obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step for obtaining a monochrome image signal; compressing an image signal compressed by the processing step selected at said selecting step; controlling a compression factor used at said compressing step in accordance with a selection by said selecting step; generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal or a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal, in accordance with a selection by selecting step; selecting either the input image signal or the compressed by said compressing step; and selectively setting either a first or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal; and recording each image signal output during the first or second mode on a recording medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
198 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: preparing means for preparing a plurality of image processing steps each processing an input image signal, said input image signal being a color image signal; selecting means for selecting one of the plurality image processing steps, the plurality of image processing steps, including a first image processing step for obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step for obtaining a monochrome image signal; compressing means for processed by an image signal processed by the image processing step selected by said selecting means; control means for controlling a compression factor used by said compressing means in accordance with a selection by said selecting means; generating means for generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal or a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal, in accordance with a selection by said selecting means; means for selecting either the input image signal or the image signal compressed by said compressing means; and setting means selectively setting either a first mode or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
198 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: preparing means for preparing a plurality of image processing steps each processing an input image signal, said input image signal being a color image signal; selecting means for selecting one of the plurality image processing steps, the plurality of image processing steps, including a first image processing step for obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step for obtaining a monochrome image signal; compressing means for processed by an image signal processed by the image processing step selected by said selecting means; control means for controlling a compression factor used by said compressing means in accordance with a selection by said selecting means; generating means for generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal or a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal, in accordance with a selection by said selecting means; means for selecting either the input image signal or the image signal compressed by said compressing means; and setting means selectively setting either a first mode or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
217 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: preparing means for preparing a plurality of image processing steps each processing an input image signal, said input image signal being a color image signal; selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of image processing steps, the plurality of image processing steps including a first image processing step for obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step for obtaining a monochrome image signal; compressing means for compressing an image signal processed by the image processing step selected by said selecting means; controlling means for controlling a compression or used by said compressing means in accordance with a selection by said selecting means; generating means for generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal or a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal, in accordance with a selection by said selecting means; means for selecting either the input image signal or the image signal compressed by said compressing means; setting means for selectively setting either a first mode or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal; and recording means for recording each image signal output during the first or second mode on a recording medium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
217 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: preparing means for preparing a plurality of image processing steps each processing an input image signal, said input image signal being a color image signal; selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of image processing steps, the plurality of image processing steps including a first image processing step for obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step for obtaining a monochrome image signal; compressing means for compressing an image signal processed by the image processing step selected by said selecting means; controlling means for controlling a compression or used by said compressing means in accordance with a selection by said selecting means; generating means for generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal or a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal, in accordance with a selection by said selecting means; means for selecting either the input image signal or the image signal compressed by said compressing means; setting means for selectively setting either a first mode or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal; and recording means for recording each image signal output during the first or second mode on a recording medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: input means for Inputting an image signal; selecting means for selecting a processing method of said image signal input by said input means, said selecting means for selecting one of at least a first image processing step of obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step of obtaining a monochrome image signal; and compressing means for compressing said image signal input by said input means according to the image signal input by said input means according to the image processing step selected by said selecting means, said compressing means for compressing said image signal using a JPEG method, wherein said compressing means can perform compression with a quantization table, all data of which are set to one.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
125 words
An image processing apparatus comprising: input means for Inputting an image signal; selecting means for selecting a processing method of said image signal input by said input means, said selecting means for selecting one of at least a first image processing step of obtaining a color image signal and a second image processing step of obtaining a monochrome image signal; and compressing means for compressing said image signal input by said input means according to the image signal input by said input means according to the image processing step selected by said selecting means, said compressing means for compressing said image signal using a JPEG method, wherein said compressing means can perform compression with a quantization table, all data of which are set to one.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said compressing means compresses said image signal by setting all the data of the quantization table to one, when the second image processing step is selected by said selecting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the input image signal is an image signal supplied from image pickup means for picking up a subject image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein said pickup means includes a CCD device with a color filter disposed at each pixel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising generating means for generating a color subimage signal from the color image signal when said selecting means selects said first image processing step, and generating a monochrome subimage signal from the monochrome image signal when said selecting means selects said second image processing step.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising: means for selecting either the input image signal or the image signal compressed by said compressing means; and setting means for selectively setting either a first mode or a second mode, the first mode outputting the compressed image signal and the subimage signal and the second mode outputting the input image signal and the subimage signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 17 , further comprising recording means for recording each image signal output during the first or second mode on a recording medium.
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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) | 2005-07-29 | 2006-01-28 | 2006-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-29 | 2010-01-28 | 2010-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-29 | 2014-01-28 | 2014-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |