Image processing method and image converting apparatus

Claim 1

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; extracting image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, based on said image features extracted in said extracting step, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said converting step; wherein said converting step is performed after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 2

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; extracting image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, based on said image features extracted in said extracting step, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said converting step; wherein said converting step is performed after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 6

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; obtaining sharpness information from an image converting apparatus by which said converting step is performed; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, based on said sharpness information obtained in said obtaining step, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said converting step; wherein said converting step is performed after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 7

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; obtaining sharpness information from an image converting apparatus by which said converting step is performed; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, based on said sharpness information obtained in said obtaining step, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said converting step; wherein said converting step is performed after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 10

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; extracting image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; obtaining sharpness information from an image converting apparatus by which said converting step is performed; calculating correlation between said image features and said sharpness information; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, based on said con-elation calculated in said calculating step, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said converting step; wherein said converting step is performed after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 11

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; extracting image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; obtaining sharpness information from an image converting apparatus by which said converting step is performed; calculating correlation between said image features and said sharpness information; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, based on said con-elation calculated in said calculating step, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said converting step; wherein said converting step is performed after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 14

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; extracting image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; obtaining sharpness information from an image converting apparatus by which said converting step is performed; calculating cogitation between said image features and said sharpness information; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, based on said con-elation calculated in said calculating step, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said converting step; wherein said frequency processing operation is performed, based on a formula of, Snew=ΣCmSm where m=0, . . . , M. M: natural number, Snew: processed image signal; Sin: original image signal (when m=0) or unsharp image signal generated though a m-th unsharp masking processing (when m=1 to M), Cm: weight factor in the original image signal (when m=0) or weight factor in the m-th unsharpe image signal (when m=1 to M)).

Claim 15

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; extracting image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; obtaining sharpness information from an image converting apparatus by which said converting step is performed; calculating cogitation between said image features and said sharpness information; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, based on said con-elation calculated in said calculating step, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said converting step; wherein said frequency processing operation is performed, based on a formula of, Snew=ΣCmSm where m=0, . . . , M. M: natural number, Snew: processed image signal; Sin: original image signal (when m=0) or unsharp image signal generated though a m-th unsharp masking processing (when m=1 to M), Cm: weight factor in the original image signal (when m=0) or weight factor in the m-th unsharpe image signal (when m=1 to M)).

Claim 19

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; repeatedly applying an unsharp mask processing to said original image signals of said image, composed of said plurality of pixels, to create plural sets of unsharp image signals, resolutions of which are different from each other; acquiring first differential image signals between said original image signals and unsharp image signals created by applying said unsharp mask processing to said original image signals once; acquiring a single set or plural sets of second differential image signals between said plural sets of unsharp image signals; applying a weighted add-subtract processing to said first differential image signals and said single set or plural sets of second differential image signals, so as to generate processed image signals; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, by changing a modulation transfer function with respect to said unsharp mask processing, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after a step of converting said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said converting step is performed after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 20

A method for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said method comprising the steps of: converting said image in respect to said original image signals; repeatedly applying an unsharp mask processing to said original image signals of said image, composed of said plurality of pixels, to create plural sets of unsharp image signals, resolutions of which are different from each other; acquiring first differential image signals between said original image signals and unsharp image signals created by applying said unsharp mask processing to said original image signals once; acquiring a single set or plural sets of second differential image signals between said plural sets of unsharp image signals; applying a weighted add-subtract processing to said first differential image signals and said single set or plural sets of second differential image signals, so as to generate processed image signals; and performing a frequency processing operation for compensating for a sharpness level of said image, by changing a modulation transfer function with respect to said unsharp mask processing, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after a step of converting said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said converting step is performed after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 26

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image converting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; an image feature extracting section to extract image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, based on said image features extracted by image feature extracting section, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is preformed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 27

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image converting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; an image feature extracting section to extract image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, based on said image features extracted by image feature extracting section, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is preformed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 31

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image converting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; a sharpness information obtaining section to obtain sharpness information from said image converting section; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, based on said sharpness information obtained by said sharpness information obtaining section, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 32

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image converting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; a sharpness information obtaining section to obtain sharpness information from said image converting section; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, based on said sharpness information obtained by said sharpness information obtaining section, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 35

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image converting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; an image feature extracting section to extract image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; a sharpness information obtaining section to obtain sharpness information from said image converting section; a sharpness calculating section to calculate correlation between said image features and said sharpness information; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, based on said correlation calculated by said sharpness calculating section, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 36

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image converting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; an image feature extracting section to extract image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; a sharpness information obtaining section to obtain sharpness information from said image converting section; a sharpness calculating section to calculate correlation between said image features and said sharpness information; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, based on said correlation calculated by said sharpness calculating section, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is performed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 39

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image convex-ting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; an image feature extracting section to extract image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; a sharpness information obtaining section to obtain sharpness information from said image converting section; a sharpness calculating section to calculate correlation between said image features and said sharpness information; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, based on said correlation calculated by said sharpness calculating section, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said frequency processing section compensates for said sharpness level of said image, based on a formula of, Snew=ΣCmSm where m=0, . . . , M. M: natural number, Snew: processed image signal; Sm: original image signal (when m=0) or unsharp image signal generated through a m-th unsharp masking processing (when m=1 to M), Cm: weight factor in the original image signal (when m=0) or weight factor in the m-th unsharpe image signal (when m=1 to M)).

Claim 40

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image convex-ting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; an image feature extracting section to extract image features for every pixel included in said plurality of pixels in respect to said original image signals; a sharpness information obtaining section to obtain sharpness information from said image converting section; a sharpness calculating section to calculate correlation between said image features and said sharpness information; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, based on said correlation calculated by said sharpness calculating section, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said frequency processing section compensates for said sharpness level of said image, based on a formula of, Snew=ΣCmSm where m=0, . . . , M. M: natural number, Snew: processed image signal; Sm: original image signal (when m=0) or unsharp image signal generated through a m-th unsharp masking processing (when m=1 to M), Cm: weight factor in the original image signal (when m=0) or weight factor in the m-th unsharpe image signal (when m=1 to M)).

Claim 44

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image converting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; an unsharp mask processing section to repeatedly apply an unsharp mask processing to said original image signals of said image, composed of said plurality of pixels, to create plural sets of unsharp image signals, resolutions of which are different from each other; a first acquiring section to acquire first differential image signals between said original image signals and unsharp image signals created by applying said unsharp mask processing to said original image signals once; a second acquiring section to acquire a single set or plural sets of second differential image signals between said plural sets of unsharp image signals; a weighted add-subtract processing section to apply a weighted add-subtract processing to said first differential image signals and said single set or plural sets of second differential image signals, so as to generate processed image signals; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, by changing a modulation transfer function with respect to said unsharp mask processing, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is preformed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.

Claim 45

An apparatus for processing original image signals of an image composed of a plurality of pixels, said apparatus comprising: an image converting section to convert said image in respect to said original image signals; an unsharp mask processing section to repeatedly apply an unsharp mask processing to said original image signals of said image, composed of said plurality of pixels, to create plural sets of unsharp image signals, resolutions of which are different from each other; a first acquiring section to acquire first differential image signals between said original image signals and unsharp image signals created by applying said unsharp mask processing to said original image signals once; a second acquiring section to acquire a single set or plural sets of second differential image signals between said plural sets of unsharp image signals; a weighted add-subtract processing section to apply a weighted add-subtract processing to said first differential image signals and said single set or plural sets of second differential image signals, so as to generate processed image signals; and a frequency processing section to compensate for a sharpness level of said image, by changing a modulation transfer function with respect to said unsharp mask processing, so as to reduce a variation of said sharpness level before and after said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals; wherein said image converting section converts said image in respect to said original image signals after applying an image interpolation processing to said original image signals; and wherein, when an interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, said image interpolation processing is preformed after performing said frequency processing operation, while, when said interpolating-magnification factor of said image interpolation processing is smaller than said predetermined value, said frequency processing operation is performed after performing said image interpolation processing.