US7149355B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image processing program, and computer-readable record medium storing image processing program
Assignee: Fujifilm Business Innovation Corp
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Filing: 2003-02-10
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Granted: 2006-12-12
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Expires: 2023-02-10
Abstract
Abstract An image processing apparatus has an edge direction estimation section for estimating edge direction information for a first image area containing a notable pixel, an edge pattern selection section for selecting an edge shape pattern corresponding to the first image area corresponding to a predetermined edge direction estimated based on the edge direction information and pixel values in the first image area containing the notable pixel, an image enhancement section for enhancing the pixel values of the first image area containing the notable pixel, an enlarged image block generation section for generating an enlarged image area using the selected edge shape pattern and the enhanced pixel values of the first image area, and an image block placement section for placing the enlarged image area generated by the enlarged image block generation section according to a predetermined method.
Inventors
- 👤 Satoshi Kubota
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T3/00; G06T3/40; G06T3/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An image processing apparatus for performing image enlargement processing, said image processing apparatus comprising: an edge direction estimation section for estimating edge direction information for a first image area containing a notable pixel; an edge pattern selection section for selecting an edge shape pattern corresponding to the first image area corresponding to an edge direction indicated by the edge direction information based on the edge direction information and a pixel value in the first image area; an image enhancement section for enhancing the pixel value of the first image area; an enlarged image area generation section for generating an enlarged image area by using the edge shape pattern selected by said edge pattern selection section and the pixel value of the first image area enhanced by said image enhancement means; and an image placement section for placing the enlarged image area generated by said enlarged image area generation section according to a predetermined method.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
An image processing apparatus for performing image enlargement processing, said image processing apparatus comprising: an edge direction estimation section for estimating edge direction information for a first image area containing a notable pixel; an edge pattern selection section for selecting an edge shape pattern corresponding to the first image area corresponding to an edge direction indicated by the edge direction information based on the edge direction information and a pixel value in the first image area; an image enhancement section for enhancing the pixel value of the first image area; an enlarged image area generation section for generating an enlarged image area by using the edge shape pattern selected by said edge pattern selection section and the pixel value of the first image area enhanced by said image enhancement means; and an image placement section for placing the enlarged image area generated by said enlarged image area generation section according to a predetermined method.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said edge direction estimation section calculates each edge angle based on the pixel value difference for the first image area containing the notable pixel and an image area on the periphery of the first image area, and estimates the edge direction information in the first image area containing the notable pixel from the calculated edge angles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said edge direction estimation section selects the image area used for estimating the edge direction information in the first image area containing the notable pixel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the edge direction information estimated by said edge direction estimation section is normalized in a determined number of directions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said edge direction estimation section calculates edge strength information in the first image area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein said edge direction estimation section selects a color space data piece from among color space data pieces in accordance with the edge strength information and estimates the edge direction information using the selected color space data piece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said edge pattern selection section selects the edge shape pattern from among a plurality of edge shape patterns for specific edge direction information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein when two or more edge shape patterns are selectable for specific edge direction information, said edge pattern selection section converts the pixels in the first image area into a binary pattern and executes pattern matching between the binary pattern and each of the edge shape patterns to select the edge shape pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said edge pattern selection section selects the edge shape pattern from among a plurality of edge shape patterns different in size corresponding to the first image area, each edge shape pattern being provided in a correspondence with different size.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said image enhancement section selects a enhancement kernel in response an enlargement ratio from among a plurality of enhancement kernels different in kernel elements and element-to-element distance and applies the selected enhancement kernel to enhancing the pixel values of the first image area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said enlarged image area generation section comprises first enlarged image area generation section and second enlarged image area generation section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first enlarged image area generation section enlarges the first image area to generate a first enlarged image area for each of the edge shape patterns by using the pixel value in the first image area enhanced by said image enhancement section or by using a value calculated using two or more pixel values in the first image area enhanced by said image enhancement section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the second enlarged image area generation section comprises a plurality of enlargement unit that enlarges the first enlarged image area by using different process; and the second enlarged image area generation section selects a enlargement unit to use from among the plurality of enlargement unit in accordance with the edge direction information estimated by said edge direction estimation section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein one of the enlargement unit generates a second enlarged image area by predetermined calculation using the pixel value in the first enlarged image area and the pixel value in the periphery of the first image area enhanced by said image enhancement section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein one of the enlargement unit selects the pixel value in the periphery of the first image area in accordance with the edge direction information estimated by said edge direction estimation section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein one of the enlargement unit generates a second enlarged image area using a value resulting from converting the pixel value in the periphery of the first image area enhanced by said image enhancement section by predetermined calculation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The image processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said image placement section places the enlarged image areas generated by said enlarged image area generation section sequentially so as to overlap the each enlarged image areas.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image processing method for performing image enlargement processing, said image processing method comprising the steps of: estimating edge direction information for a first image area containing a notable pixel; selecting an edge shape pattern corresponding to the first image area corresponding to an edge direction indicated by the edge direction information based on the edge direction information and a pixel value in the first image area; enhancing the pixel value of the first image area; generating an enlarged image area by using the edge shape pattern and the enhanced pixel value of the first image area; and placing the enlarged image area according to a predetermined method.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image processing method for performing image enlargement processing, said image processing method comprising the steps of: estimating edge direction information for a first image area containing a notable pixel; selecting an edge shape pattern corresponding to the first image area corresponding to an edge direction indicated by the edge direction information based on the edge direction information and a pixel value in the first image area; enhancing the pixel value of the first image area; generating an enlarged image area by using the edge shape pattern and the enhanced pixel value of the first image area; and placing the enlarged image area according to a predetermined method.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer-readable record medium recording an image processing program comprising the steps of: estimating edge direction information for a first image area containing a notable pixel; selecting an edge shape pattern corresponding to the first image area corresponding to an edge direction indicated by the edge direction information based on the edge direction information and a pixel value in the first image area; enhancing the pixel value of the first image area; generating an enlarged image area by using the edge shape pattern and the enhanced pixel value of the first image area; and placing the enlarged image area according to a predetermined method.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
A computer-readable record medium recording an image processing program comprising the steps of: estimating edge direction information for a first image area containing a notable pixel; selecting an edge shape pattern corresponding to the first image area corresponding to an edge direction indicated by the edge direction information based on the edge direction information and a pixel value in the first image area; enhancing the pixel value of the first image area; generating an enlarged image area by using the edge shape pattern and the enhanced pixel value of the first image area; and placing the enlarged image area according to a predetermined method.
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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) | 2009-12-11 | 2010-06-12 | 2010-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-12-11 | 2014-06-12 | 2014-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-12-11 | 2018-06-12 | 2018-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |