US6912321B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light
Assignee: Monument Peak Ventures LLC
•
Filing: 2002-03-22
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Granted: 2005-06-28
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Expires: 2022-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image operates upon a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by imaged flare light, wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels with a known relationship to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene. A first flare control parameter relating to the intensity of imaged flare light and a second flare control parameter relating to the average intensity level of imaged light in the original scene are derived from the source digital image, and a flare compensation function is calculated using the first and second flare control parameters. An enhanced digital image is then generated from the flare compensation function and the source digital image. More particularly, the flare parameters are derived from a linear state digital image generated from the source digital image, where the pixels of the linear state digital image have a linear relationship with the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward B. Gindele
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/90; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30181
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by imaged flare light wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels with a known relationship to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene; b) generating from the source digital image a first flare control parameter relating to the intensity of imaged flare light and a second flare control parameter relating to the average intensity level of imaged light in the original scene; c) calculating a flare compensation function using the first and second flare control parameters; and d) generating an enhanced digital image from the flare compensation function and the source digital image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by imaged flare light wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels with a known relationship to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene; b) generating from the source digital image a first flare control parameter relating to the intensity of imaged flare light and a second flare control parameter relating to the average intensity level of imaged light in the original scene; c) calculating a flare compensation function using the first and second flare control parameters; and d) generating an enhanced digital image from the flare compensation function and the source digital image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating a linear state digital image from the source digital image wherein the pixels of the linear state digital image have a linear relationship with the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the flare parameters are generated from the linear state digital image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the linear state digital image is of lower spatial resolution than the source digital image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first control parameter is calculated from a minimum pixel value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the source digital image is a color image comprised of red, green and blue pixel values and the minimum pixel value is a minimum luminance value derived from a weighted average of the red, green and blue pixel values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the source digital image is a color image comprised of red, green and blue pixel values and the minimum pixel value is a minimum value of the red, green and blue pixel values.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second control parameter is calculated from a mean pixel value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the flare compensation function is implemented as a look-up-table.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source digital image has pixels relating to different colors and the flare compensation function is applied to the pixels of each color of the source digital image to generate the enhanced digital image.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the known relationship of the source digital image pixels to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene includes a linear function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the known relationship of the source digital image pixels to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene includes a logarithmic function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the known relationship of the source digital image pixels to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene includes an exponential function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source digital image is derived from scanning a photographic film transparency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source digital image is derived from scanning a photographic reflection print.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the source digital image is derived from a digital camera.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 1 .
Claim 19
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by flare light wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels with a known relationship to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene; b) generating a linear state digital image from the source digital image wherein the pixels of the linear state digital image have a linear relationship with the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene; c) using the linear state digital image to calculate a first flare control parameter relating to the intensity of imaged flare light; d) using the linear state digital image to calculate a second flare control parameter relating to the average intensity level of imaged light in the original scene; e) calculating a flare compensation function using the first and second flare control parameters; and f) using the flare compensation function and the source digital image to generate an enhanced digital image.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by flare light wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels with a known relationship to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene; b) generating a linear state digital image from the source digital image wherein the pixels of the linear state digital image have a linear relationship with the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene; c) using the linear state digital image to calculate a first flare control parameter relating to the intensity of imaged flare light; d) using the linear state digital image to calculate a second flare control parameter relating to the average intensity level of imaged light in the original scene; e) calculating a flare compensation function using the first and second flare control parameters; and f) using the flare compensation function and the source digital image to generate an enhanced digital image.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the linear state digital image is of lower spatial resolution than the source digital image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the first control parameter is calculated from a minimum pixel value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the source digital image is a color image comprised of red, green and blue pixel values and the minimum pixel value is a minimum luminance value derived from a weighted average of the red, green and blue pixel values.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the source digital image is a color image comprised of red, green and blue pixel values and the minimum pixel value is a minimum value of the red, green and blue pixel values.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the second control parameter is calculated from a mean pixel value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 18 further including the steps of: calculating a third flare control parameter as the ratio of the first flare control parameter to the second flare control parameter; and using the third flare control parameter to calculate the flare compensation function.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 24 further including the steps of: generating a modified first flare control parameter when the value of the first flare control parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold; and using the modified first flare control parameter to calculate the flare compensation function.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the flare compensation function is implemented as a look-up-table.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the source digital image has pixels relating to different colors and the flare compensation function is applied to the pixels of each color of the source digital image to generate the enhanced digital image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the known relationship of the source digital image pixels to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene includes a logarithmic function.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the known relationship of the source digital image pixels to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene includes an exponential function.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 18 further including the steps of: a) receiving flare meta-data with the source digital image wherein the flare meta-data indicates an expected flare light performance capability of an optical system from which the source digital image is derived; and b) using the flare meta-data to generate the flare compensation function.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the meta-data is used to vary the degree to which the flare is removed from the source digital image.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the meta-data is a numerical value based on a measured indication of the flare characteristic of the optical system.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 18 further including the steps of: a) displaying the enhanced digital image on an electronic display device; b) having a user manually adjust the first flare control parameter to produce a manually adjusted first control parameter value; and c) using the manually adjusted first control parameter value to generate an enhanced digital image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 1 .
Claim 37
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by flare light wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels; b) receiving flare meta-data with the source digital image wherein the flare meta-data indicates an expected flare light performance capability of an optical system from which the source digital image is derived; and c) using the flare meta-data to generate a flare compensation function; and d) using the flare compensation function and the source digital image to generate an enhanced digital image.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by flare light wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels; b) receiving flare meta-data with the source digital image wherein the flare meta-data indicates an expected flare light performance capability of an optical system from which the source digital image is derived; and c) using the flare meta-data to generate a flare compensation function; and d) using the flare compensation function and the source digital image to generate an enhanced digital image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 35 .
Claim 40
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by imaged flare light wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels with a known relationship to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene; b) generating from the source digital image a first flare control parameter relating to the intensity of imaged flare light and a second flare control parameter relating to the average intensity level of imaged light in the original scene; c) calculating a flare compensation function using the first and second flare control parameters; d) modifying the flare compensation function for mid-tones of the source digital image; and e) generating an enhanced digital image from the modified flare compensation function and the source digital image, whereby flare is removed without substantially affecting the overall brightness of the source digital image.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of compensating a digital image for the effects of flare light in order to generate an enhanced digital image, said method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a source digital image derived from an original scene affected by imaged flare light wherein the source digital image includes a plurality of pixels with a known relationship to the intensity of light corresponding to the original scene; b) generating from the source digital image a first flare control parameter relating to the intensity of imaged flare light and a second flare control parameter relating to the average intensity level of imaged light in the original scene; c) calculating a flare compensation function using the first and second flare control parameters; d) modifying the flare compensation function for mid-tones of the source digital image; and e) generating an enhanced digital image from the modified flare compensation function and the source digital image, whereby flare is removed without substantially affecting the overall brightness of the source digital image.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method of claim 37 .
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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) | 2008-06-27 | 2008-12-27 | 2009-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-06-27 | 2012-12-27 | 2013-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-06-27 | 2016-12-27 | 2017-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |