Patent US6594388B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6594388B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Color image reproduction of scenes with preferential color mapping and scene-dependent tone scaling
Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures LLC
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Filing: 2000-05-25
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Granted: 2003-07-15
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Expires: 2020-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A method for enhancing the hue and lightness characteristics of a digital color image, the digital color image having pixel values from which digital luminance and color difference values can be deduced, includes the steps of: deducing digital luminance and digital color difference values for pixels of the digital color image; using the pixels of the digital color image to calculate an image dependent transform; using the image dependent transform to modify the digital luminance values for pixels of the digital color image to form modified luminance values; calculating a color transform that modifies the original digital color difference values in a manner that consistently and smoothly moves the values toward or away from predetermined digital color difference values; and using the color transform to modify the original color difference values for pixels of the digital color image to produce modified color difference values.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward B. Gindele
- 👤 Karin Topfer
- 👤 John D. Buhr
- 👤 Geoffrey J. Woolfe
- 👤 Andrew C. Gallagher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6027; H04N1/6072
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for enhancing the color and lightness characteristics of a digital color image, the digital color image having pixel values from which digital luminance and color difference values can be deduced, comprising the steps of: a) deducing digital luminance and digital color difference values for pixels of the digital color image; b) using the pixels of the digital color image to calculate an image dependent transform; c) using the image dependent transform to modify the digital luminance values for pixels of the digital color image to form modified luminance values; d) calculating a preferred color transform that modifies the original digital color difference values in a manner that consistently and smoothly moves the values toward or away from predetermined digital color difference values; and e) using the color transform to modify the original color difference values for pixels of the digital color image to produce modified color difference values.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for enhancing the color and lightness characteristics of a digital color image, the digital color image having pixel values from which digital luminance and color difference values can be deduced, comprising the steps of: a) deducing digital luminance and digital color difference values for pixels of the digital color image; b) using the pixels of the digital color image to calculate an image dependent transform; c) using the image dependent transform to modify the digital luminance values for pixels of the digital color image to form modified luminance values; d) calculating a preferred color transform that modifies the original digital color difference values in a manner that consistently and smoothly moves the values toward or away from predetermined digital color difference values; and e) using the color transform to modify the original color difference values for pixels of the digital color image to produce modified color difference values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital color difference values are deduced hue values derived from the digital color image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital color difference values are derived from CIE 1976 a/b chroma values derived from the digital color image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital color difference values are derived from CIE 1976 a/b hue values derived from the digital color image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the digital color difference values are derived from CIE 1976 a/b hue and chroma derived from the digital color image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the luminance values with an exposure compensation transform prior to the application of the image dependent transform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the color difference values with an exposure compensation transform prior to the application of the image dependent transform.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the luminance values with an exposure compensation transform after the application of the color transform.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the color difference values with an exposure compensation transform after the application of the color transform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image dependent transform is an image dependent tone scale function applied to the luminance values to enhance the lightness characteristics of the digital color image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 wherein a histogram of the luminance values is used to calculate the tone scale function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the tone scale function is in the form of a LUT.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 wherein a spatial filter is used to apply the tone scale function to the luminance values.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the image dependent transform is a spatial filter applied to the luminance values to enhance the sharpness characteristics of the digital color image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the spatial filter includes calculating a statistical measure of local spatial activity and using the statistical measure of local spatial activity to vary the level of sharpness enhancement.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method claimed in claim 1 , wherein the step of calculating the preferred color transform includes the steps of: a) specifying one or more regions of color space in which digital color difference values will be transformed; b) selecting one or more test colors within each specified region of color space for which preferred digital color difference values are to be defined; c) deducing original digital color difference values for the test colors, d) determining preferred digital color difference values for the test colors; and e) forming a preferred color transform that modifies the original digital color difference values in a manner that consistently and smoothly moves said values toward or away from the preferred digital color difference values.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the test colors are derived by exposing a photographic film to an original scene; developing and scanning the exposed photographic film to produce a digital image; and transforming the digital image to a colorimetric digital scene representation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the test colors are derived by capturing an image of the original scene with an electronic camera to produce a digital image and transforming the digital image to a calorimetric digital scene representation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for enhancing the color and lightness characteristics of a digital color image, the digital color image having pixel values from which digital luminance and color difference values can be deduced, comprising: a) means for deducing digital luminance and digital color difference values for pixels of the digital color image; b) means for using the pixels of the digital color image to calculate an image dependent transform; c) means for using the image dependent transform to modify the digital luminance values for pixels of the digital color image to form modified luminance values; d) means for calculating a preferred color transform that modifies the original digital color difference values in a manner that consistently and smoothly moves the values toward or away from predetermined digital color difference values; and e) means for using the preferred color transform to modify the original color difference values for pixels of the digital color image to produce modified color difference values.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus for enhancing the color and lightness characteristics of a digital color image, the digital color image having pixel values from which digital luminance and color difference values can be deduced, comprising: a) means for deducing digital luminance and digital color difference values for pixels of the digital color image; b) means for using the pixels of the digital color image to calculate an image dependent transform; c) means for using the image dependent transform to modify the digital luminance values for pixels of the digital color image to form modified luminance values; d) means for calculating a preferred color transform that modifies the original digital color difference values in a manner that consistently and smoothly moves the values toward or away from predetermined digital color difference values; and e) means for using the preferred color transform to modify the original color difference values for pixels of the digital color image to produce modified color difference values.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19 , wherein the digital color difference values are deduced hue values derived from the digital color image.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19 , wherein the digital color difference values are derived from CIE 1976 a/b chroma values derived from the digital color image.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19 , wherein the digital color difference values are derived from CIE 1976 a/b hue values derived from the digital color image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19 , wherein the digital color difference values are derived from CIE 1976 a/b hue and chroma derived from the digital color image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for adjusting the luminance values with an exposure compensation transform prior to the application of the image dependent transform.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for adjusting the color difference values with an exposure compensation transform prior to the application of the image dependent transform.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for adjusting the luminance values with an exposure compensation transform after the application of the color transform.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , further comprising means for adjusting the color difference values with an exposure compensation transform after the application of the color transform.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the image dependent transform is an image dependent tone scale function applied to the luminance values to enhance the lightness characteristics of the digital color image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein a histogram of the luminance values is used to calculate the tone scale function.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the tone scale function is in the form of a LUT.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein a spatial filter is used to apply the tone scale function to the luminance values.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the image dependent transform is a spatial filter applied to the luminance values to enhance the sharpness characteristics of the digital color image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the spatial filter includes calculating a statistical measure of local spatial activity and using the statistical measure of local spatial activity to vary the level of sharpness enhancement.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
128 words
The apparatus claimed in claim 19 , wherein means for calculating a preferred color transform includes means for: a) means for specifying one or more regions of color space in which digital color difference values will be transformed; b) means for selecting one or more test colors within each specified region of color space for which preferred digital color difference values are to be defined; c) means for deducing original digital color difference values for the test colors, d) means for determining preferred digital color difference values for the test colors; and e) means for forming the preferred color transform that modifies the original digital color difference values in a manner that consistently and smoothly moves said values toward or away from the preferred digital color difference values.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the means for selecting one or more test colors includes means for exposing a photographic film to an original scene; means for developing and scanning the exposed photographic film to produce a digital image; and means for transforming the digital image to a calorimetric digital scene representation.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the means for selecting one or more test colors includes means for capturing an image of the original scene with an electronic camera to produce a digital image and means for transforming the digital image to a calorimetric digital scene representation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 1 .
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 2 .
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 3 .
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 4 .
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 5 .
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 6 .
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 7 .
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 8 .
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 9 .
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 10 .
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 11 .
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 12 .
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 13 .
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 14 .
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 15 .
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 16 .
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 17 .
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
12 words
A computer program product for performing the method of claim 18 .
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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) | 2006-07-14 | 2007-01-13 | 2007-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-14 | 2011-01-13 | 2011-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-14 | 2015-01-13 | 2015-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |