Patent US6603878B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6603878B1
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Image processing method
Assignee: Fujifilm Corp
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Filing: 1999-03-25
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Granted: 2003-08-05
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Expires: 2019-03-25
Abstract
Abstract The image processing method subjects color negative image signals read photoelectrically from a color negative image to specified image processing. If the color negative image is designated as representing a particular picture, the method subjects the color negative image signals to gradation hardening process in which the gradation of the designated color negative image is rendered harder and subjects the color negative image signals to a hue altering process in which a particular hue in the designated color negative image is altered to a desired hue. The method is capable of reproducing the color negative image as a color print image that has been processed to a reversal-like finish and which provides good appeal and natural impression in a satisfactory way.
Inventors
- 👤 Fumito Takemoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:11
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/73; G06T5/75
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An image processing method in which a color negative image is read photoelectrically and color negative image signals obtained by image reading are subjected to specified image processing, comprising the steps of: if said color negative image is designated as representing a particular picture, subjecting said color negative image signals to gradation hardening process in which the gradation of said designated color negative image is rendered harder; and subjecting said color negative image signals to a hue altering process in which a particular hue in said designated color negative image is altered to a desired hue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image processing method in which a color negative image is read photoelectrically and color negative image signals obtained by image reading are subjected to specified image processing, comprising the steps of: if said color negative image is designated as representing a particular picture, subjecting said color negative image signals to gradation hardening process in which the gradation of said designated color negative image is rendered harder; and subjecting said color negative image signals to a hue altering process in which a particular hue in said designated color negative image is altered to a desired hue.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The image processing method according to claim 1 , further including the step of: performing sharpness enhancing process on said color negative image signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The image processing method according to claim 2 , wherein said sharpness enhancing process is performed by an unsharp masking technique or a graininess suppressing sharpness technique.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein said gradation hardening process and said hue altering process are performed on said color negative image signals after setup process is performed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The image processing method according to claim 4 , wherein said setup process is auto-setup process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein said hue altering process comprises the steps of: extracting said particular hue from RGB density signals of said color negative image signals; converting the RGB density signals of the extracted particular hue to pseudo hue, lightness and saturation signals; determining intensities of said hue, lightness and saturation signals; thereafter calculating an overall intensity of said particular hue; and adding a preset amount of correction to the calculated overall intensity to generate RGB signals in which the particular hue has been altered to the desired hue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein said particular picture is a picture of landscape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein said particular picture is designated by external input.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image processing method according to claim 1 , wherein the particular hue which is subjected to said hue altering process is a cyan color of a sky and said desired hue is a blue color.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The image processing method according to claim 2 , wherein when said sharpness enhancing process is performed on said color negative image signals, a particular region of said color negative image that has a particular color is lowered in sharpness.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The image processing method according to claim 10 , wherein the particular color of the particular region which is to be lowered in sharpness is either the cyan color of the sky, a skin color of a human subject or both.
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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) | 2006-08-04 | 2007-02-03 | 2007-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-08-04 | 2011-02-03 | 2011-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-08-04 | 2015-02-03 | 2015-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |