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Patent US7684617B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7684617B2
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Apparatus and methods for processing images
Assignee: Omron Corp
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Filing: 2006-11-02
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Granted: 2010-03-23
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Expires: 2026-11-02
Abstract
Abstract In one embodiment, a system for processing an image receives color information including three variables representing a color of each of a plurality of pixels which constitute the image. The system derives a target characteristic value corresponding to a target pixel among the plurality of pixels based on the three variables of the target pixel. The system derives proximate characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of proximate pixels which are proximate to the target pixel. The system replaces the three variables of the target pixel with the three variables of one of the proximate pixels depending on a relationship between the target characteristic value and the proximate characteristic values.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeshi Yoshiura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/70; G06T5/20; G06T5/30; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/10; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N9/00; H04N9/64; H04N9/646; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10024; H04N23/81
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for processing an image comprising: an interface configured to receive color information including three variables representing a color of each of a plurality of pixels which constitute the image; and a processor configured to derive a target characteristic value corresponding to a target pixel among the plurality of pixels based on the three variables of the target pixel, derive proximate characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of proximate pixels which are proximate to the target pixel, and replace the three variables of the target pixel with the three variables of one of the proximate pixels depending on a relationship between the target characteristic value and the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for processing an image comprising: an interface configured to receive color information including three variables representing a color of each of a plurality of pixels which constitute the image; and a processor configured to derive a target characteristic value corresponding to a target pixel among the plurality of pixels based on the three variables of the target pixel, derive proximate characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of proximate pixels which are proximate to the target pixel, and replace the three variables of the target pixel with the three variables of one of the proximate pixels depending on a relationship between the target characteristic value and the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the target characteristic value, and the proximate characteristic values are defined as brightness of the target pixel, and the proximate pixels, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to identify the plurality of proximate pixels based on relative positional relationship thereof with respect to the target pixel, select a candidate pixel among the identified proximate pixels for the replacement when the selected candidate pixel is ranked at a predetermined position within a distribution of the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the predetermined position within the distribution of the proximate characteristic values is determined externally.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the predetermined position within the distribution of the proximate characteristic values is substantially equal to one of a maximum value, an intermediate value, or a minimum value of the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein if multiple candidate pixels are ranked at a same position within the distribution of the proximate characteristic values, then only one of the candidate pixels is selected for the replacement based on at least one of the three variables of the candidate pixels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the proximate pixels are located within a rectangular area having the target pixel as a center, which includes n pixels x n pixels where n is an odd number, and equal to or more than 3.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the three variables correspond to gray scale values of red, green, and blue colors.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for processing an image comprising: using an interface for receiving color information including three variables representing a color of each of a plurality of pixels which constitute the image; using a processor deriving a target characteristic value corresponding to a target pixel among the plurality of pixels based on the three variables of the target pixel; deriving proximate characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of proximate pixels which are proximate to the target pixel; and replacing the three variables of the target pixel with the three variables of one of the proximate pixels depending on a relationship between the target characteristic value and the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for processing an image comprising: using an interface for receiving color information including three variables representing a color of each of a plurality of pixels which constitute the image; using a processor deriving a target characteristic value corresponding to a target pixel among the plurality of pixels based on the three variables of the target pixel; deriving proximate characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of proximate pixels which are proximate to the target pixel; and replacing the three variables of the target pixel with the three variables of one of the proximate pixels depending on a relationship between the target characteristic value and the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the target characteristic value, and the proximate characteristic values are defined as brightness of the target pixel, and the proximate pixels, respectively.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 9 , further comprising: identifying the plurality of proximate pixels based on relative positional relationship thereof with respect to the target pixel; and selecting a candidate pixel among the identified proximate pixels for the replacement when the selected candidate pixel is ranked at a predetermined position within a distribution of the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein the predetermined position within the distribution of the proximate characteristic values is determined externally.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the predetermined position within the distribution of the proximate characteristic values is substantially equal to one of a maximum value, an intermediate value, or a minimum value of the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein if multiple candidate pixels are ranked at a same position within the distribution of the proximate characteristic values, then only one of the candidate pixels is selected for the replacement based on at least one of the three variables of the candidate pixels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the proximate pixels are located within a rectangular area having the target pixel as a center, which includes n pixels ×n pixels where n is an odd number, and equal to or more than 3.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the three variables correspond to gray scale values of red, green, and blue colors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
112 words
Software encoded in one or more computer readable media and when a computer is executed operable to: receive color information including three variables representing a color of each of a plurality of pixels which constitute the image; derive a target characteristic value corresponding to a target pixel among the plurality of pixels based on the three variables of the target pixel; derive proximate characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of proximate pixels which are proximate to the target pixel; and replace the three variables of the target pixel with the three variables of one of the proximate pixels depending on a relationship between the target characteristic value and the proximate characteristic values.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
112 words
Software encoded in one or more computer readable media and when a computer is executed operable to: receive color information including three variables representing a color of each of a plurality of pixels which constitute the image; derive a target characteristic value corresponding to a target pixel among the plurality of pixels based on the three variables of the target pixel; derive proximate characteristic values corresponding to a plurality of proximate pixels which are proximate to the target pixel; and replace the three variables of the target pixel with the three variables of one of the proximate pixels depending on a relationship between the target characteristic value and the proximate characteristic values.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2013-03-22 | 2013-09-21 | 2014-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2017-03-22 | 2017-09-21 | 2018-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2021-03-22 | 2021-09-21 | 2022-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |