← Back to Patent Explorer
US6549678B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for preserving spatial detail when applying a multidimensional tonal transform to a digital color image

Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures LLC
•
Filing: 1999-01-29
•
Granted: 2003-04-15
•
Expires: 2019-01-29
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A method for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the method comprises receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) separating each digital image channel into two signals; (c) modifying one of the signals with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) combining the output of (c) with the remaining signal for producing an enhanced digital image.

Inventors

  • 👤 Edward B. Gindele
  • 👤 Andrew Gallagher

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 20:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/40; H04N1/407

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim 138 words
A method for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels wherein each digital image channel relates to a different color; (b) using a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into two signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel; (c) using the first signal from each pair and a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image to produce a modified first signal for each digital image channel; and (d) combining the modified first signal of each digital image channel with the corresponding second signal derived from the same digital image channel for producing an enhanced digital image channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 138 words
A method for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels wherein each digital image channel relates to a different color; (b) using a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into two signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel; (c) using the first signal from each pair and a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image to produce a modified first signal for each digital image channel; and (d) combining the modified first signal of each digital image channel with the corresponding second signal derived from the same digital image channel for producing an enhanced digital image channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method as in claim 1 , wherein step (b) includes using a control signal for separating each digital image channel into two signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as in claim 2 further comprising creating the control signal from a spatially filtered version of the digital image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as in claim 1 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as in claim 2 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as in claim 3 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method as in claim 6 further comprising the step of modifying the remaining signal before step (d).
Claim 9
Independent Claim 140 words
A system for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the system comprising: (a) means for receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels wherein each digital image channel relates to a different color; (b) a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into two signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel; (c) means for using the first signal from each pair and a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image to produce a modified first signal for each digital image channel; and (d) means for combining the modified first signal of each digital image channel with the corresponding second signal derived from the same digital image channel for producing an enhanced digital image channel.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 140 words
A system for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the system comprising: (a) means for receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels wherein each digital image channel relates to a different color; (b) a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into two signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel; (c) means for using the first signal from each pair and a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image to produce a modified first signal for each digital image channel; and (d) means for combining the modified first signal of each digital image channel with the corresponding second signal derived from the same digital image channel for producing an enhanced digital image channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
The system as in claim 8 , wherein step (b) includes using a control signal for separating each digital image channel into two signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system as in claim 9 further comprising creating the control signal from a spatially filtered version of the digital image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system as in claim 8 , wherein the modifying means further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system as in claim 9 , wherein the modifying means further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system as in claim 10 , wherein the modifying means further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system as in claim 13 further comprising the step of modifying the remaining signal before combining the two signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 150 words
A computer program product for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image comprising: a computer readable storage medium having a program stored thereon for performing the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels wherein each digital image channel relates to a different color; (b) using a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into two signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel; (c) using the first signal from each pair and a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image to produce a modified first signal for each digital image channel; and (d) combining the modified first signal of each digital image channel with the corresponding second signal derived from the same digital image channel for producing an enhanced digital image channel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 150 words
A computer program product for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image comprising: a computer readable storage medium having a program stored thereon for performing the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels wherein each digital image channel relates to a different color; (b) using a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into two signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel; (c) using the first signal from each pair and a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image to produce a modified first signal for each digital image channel; and (d) combining the modified first signal of each digital image channel with the corresponding second signal derived from the same digital image channel for producing an enhanced digital image channel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 26 words
The computer program product as in claim 15 , wherein step (b) includes using a control signal for separating each digital image channel into two signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer program product as in claim 16 further comprising creating the control signal from a spatially filtered version of the digital image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer program product as in claim 15 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer program product as in claim 16 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer program product as in claim 17 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computer program product as in claim 20 further comprising modifying the remaining signal before step (d).
Claim 25
Independent Claim 125 words
A method for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) separating each digital image channel into first and second signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel, wherein the second signal of each pair is generated by subtracting the first signal from the respective digital image channel; (c) modifying one of the signals of each pair with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) combining an output of step (c) with the remaining signal of each pair for producing an enhanced digital image.
Claim 26
Independent Claim 125 words
A method for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) separating each digital image channel into first and second signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel, wherein the second signal of each pair is generated by subtracting the first signal from the respective digital image channel; (c) modifying one of the signals of each pair with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) combining an output of step (c) with the remaining signal of each pair for producing an enhanced digital image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method as in claim 22 , wherein step (b) includes using a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into the first and second signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method as in claim 22 , wherein step (b) includes using a control signal for separating each digital image channel into the first and second signals.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as in claim 24 further comprising creating the control signal from a spatially filtered version of the digital image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as in claim 22 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method as in claim 22 further comprising the step of modifying the remaining signal before step (d).
Claim 32
Independent Claim 128 words
A system for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the system comprising: (a) means for receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) means for separating each digital image channel into first and second signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel, wherein the second signal is generated by subtracting the first signal from the respective digital image channel; (c) means for modifying one of the signals of each pair with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) means for combining an output of the modifying means with the remaining signal of each pair for producing an enhanced digital image.
Claim 33
Independent Claim 128 words
A system for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the system comprising: (a) means for receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) means for separating each digital image channel into first and second signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel, wherein the second signal is generated by subtracting the first signal from the respective digital image channel; (c) means for modifying one of the signals of each pair with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) means for combining an output of the modifying means with the remaining signal of each pair for producing an enhanced digital image.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system as in claim 28 , wherein the separating means includes a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into the first and second signals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system as in claim 28 , wherein step (b) includes using a control signal for separating each digital image channel into the first and second signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system as in claim 30 further comprising creating the control signal from a spatially filtered version of the digital image.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system as in claim 28 , wherein the modifying means further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system as in claim 28 further comprising the step of modifying the remaining signal before combining the two signals.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 134 words
A computer program product for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image comprising: a computer readable storage medium having a program stored thereon for performing the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) separating each digital image channel into first and second signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel, wherein the second signal is generated by subtracting the first signal from the respective digital image channel; (c) modifying one of the signals of each pair with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) combining an output of step (c) with the remaining signal of each pair for producing an enhanced digital image.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 134 words
A computer program product for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image comprising: a computer readable storage medium having a program stored thereon for performing the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) separating each digital image channel into first and second signals, thereby producing a plurality of pairs of first and second signals, one pair for each digital image channel, wherein the second signal is generated by subtracting the first signal from the respective digital image channel; (c) modifying one of the signals of each pair with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) combining an output of step (c) with the remaining signal of each pair for producing an enhanced digital image.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 29 words
The computer program product as in claim 34 , wherein step (b) includes using a spatial filter for separating each digital image channel into the first and second signals.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 29 words
The computer program product as in claim 34 , wherein step (b) includes using a control signal for separating each digital image channel into the first and second signals.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer program product as in claim 36 further comprising creating the control signal from a spatially filtered version of the digital image.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer program product as in claim 34 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computer program product as in claim 34 further comprising modifying the remaining signal before step (d).
Claim 46
Independent Claim 120 words
A method for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) separating each digital image channel into first and second signals, whereby the first signal is a processed signal obtained by using a control signal derived from one or more of the digital image channels and the second signal is generated by subtracting the processed signal from the digital image channel; (c) modifying the second signal with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) combining an output of step (c) with the remaining signal for producing an enhanced digital image.
Claim 47
Independent Claim 120 words
A method for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of a digital image, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a digital image having two or more digital image channels; (b) separating each digital image channel into first and second signals, whereby the first signal is a processed signal obtained by using a control signal derived from one or more of the digital image channels and the second signal is generated by subtracting the processed signal from the digital image channel; (c) modifying the second signal with a multidimensional transform for adjusting the color and tonal characteristics of the digital image; and (d) combining an output of step (c) with the remaining signal for producing an enhanced digital image.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as in claim 40 further comprising creating the control signal from a spatially filtered version of the digital image.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method as in claim 40 , wherein step (c) further comprises using a 3 dimensional look-up-table as the multidimensional transform.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 18 words
The method as in claim 40 further comprising the step of modifying the remaining signal before step (d).

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-04-14 2006-10-14 2007-04-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-04-14 2010-10-14 2011-04-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-04-14 2014-10-14 2015-04-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag