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US7944588B2 Active / In Force US ⏱️ 0.6 years remaining

Image correction processing apparatus, image correction processing method, program, and storage medium

Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 2007-07-02
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Granted: 2011-05-17
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Expires: 2027-07-02
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Abstract

Abstract An image correction process that suppresses image deterioration in a printed image is provided. An image correction processing apparatus includes an area setting unit which sets an area comprising a plurality of pixels including an interest pixel, a first correction strength setting unit which adaptively sets a first correction strength for at least the interest pixel in the area based on the number of changes and the changing amount, a first correction unit which executes image correction for a pixel, for which the first correction strength is set, by the first correction strength, a second correction strength setting unit which adaptively sets a second correction strength for at least the interest pixel in the area based on the number of changes and the changing amount, and a second correction unit which executes image correction for a pixel, for which the first correction strength is set, by the second correction strength.

Inventors

  • 👤 Akitoshi Yamada
  • 👤 Yusuke Hashii
  • 👤 Fumihiro Goto
  • 👤 Masao Kato
  • 👤 Tetsuya Suwa
  • 👤 Mitsuhiro Ono
  • 👤 Fumitaka Goto
  • 👤 Arata Miyagi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 09:48
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 315 words
An image correction processing apparatus comprising: a computer including a central processing unit having connected thereto: an area setting unit adapted to set on a target image to be processed an area comprising a plurality of pixels including an interest pixel; a changing times calculating unit adapted to calculate a number of changes value that expresses a frequency of occurrence of changes in luminance values of pixels in said area; a changing amount calculating unit adapted to detect, from the pixels in said area, an edge direction of the interest pixel, and to calculate a changing amount value that expresses a magnitude of changes in luminance values of the pixels in said area in the edge direction; a changing acceleration calculating unit adapted to calculate a changing acceleration value that expresses an acceleration of changes in luminance values of the pixels in said area in the edge direction; a first setting unit adapted to set, in accordance with the calculated number of changes value and the calculated changing amount value, a first correction strength for enhancing the edge for at least the interest pixel in said area; a selecting unit adapted to select, on the line extending from the pixel of interest in the edge direction, a replacement pixel for enhancing the edge of the interest pixel whereas the selection is based on the acceleration of changes in luminance values in the edge direction; a second setting unit adapted to set, in accordance with the calculated number of changes value, the calculated changing amount value, and the calculated changing acceleration value, a second correction strength for correcting the selected replacement pixel; a first correction unit adapted to correct a luminance value of the interest pixel in accordance with the first correction strength; and a second correction unit adapted to correct a luminance value of the selected replacement pixel in accordance with the second correction strength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 315 words
An image correction processing apparatus comprising: a computer including a central processing unit having connected thereto: an area setting unit adapted to set on a target image to be processed an area comprising a plurality of pixels including an interest pixel; a changing times calculating unit adapted to calculate a number of changes value that expresses a frequency of occurrence of changes in luminance values of pixels in said area; a changing amount calculating unit adapted to detect, from the pixels in said area, an edge direction of the interest pixel, and to calculate a changing amount value that expresses a magnitude of changes in luminance values of the pixels in said area in the edge direction; a changing acceleration calculating unit adapted to calculate a changing acceleration value that expresses an acceleration of changes in luminance values of the pixels in said area in the edge direction; a first setting unit adapted to set, in accordance with the calculated number of changes value and the calculated changing amount value, a first correction strength for enhancing the edge for at least the interest pixel in said area; a selecting unit adapted to select, on the line extending from the pixel of interest in the edge direction, a replacement pixel for enhancing the edge of the interest pixel whereas the selection is based on the acceleration of changes in luminance values in the edge direction; a second setting unit adapted to set, in accordance with the calculated number of changes value, the calculated changing amount value, and the calculated changing acceleration value, a second correction strength for correcting the selected replacement pixel; a first correction unit adapted to correct a luminance value of the interest pixel in accordance with the first correction strength; and a second correction unit adapted to correct a luminance value of the selected replacement pixel in accordance with the second correction strength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 42 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said second setting unit sets a different correction strength for each number of changes value within at least a partial value range of a value range that the number of changes value can assume.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 40 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said second setting unit sets a different correction strength for each changing amount value within at least a partial value range of a value range that the changing amount value can assume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 170 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a comparison unit adapted to compare the number of changes value with a first threshold and a second threshold larger than the first threshold; a maximum strength setting unit adapted to set, when the number of changes value is smaller than the first threshold, a maximum strength as the correction strength; a minimum strength setting unit adapted to set, when the number of changes value is larger than the second threshold, a minimum strength as the correction strength; and a third correction strength setting unit adapted to set, when the number of changes value is not less than the first threshold and not more than the second threshold, a different correction strength for each number of changes value so that the correction strength is set to be a maximum strength when the number of changes value equals the first threshold, and the correction strength is set to be a minimum strength when the number of changes value equals the second threshold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 163 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: a comparison unit adapted to compare the changing amount value with a third threshold and a fourth threshold larger than the third threshold; a minimum strength setting unit adapted to set, when the changing amount value is smaller than the third threshold, a minimum strength as the correction strength; a maximum strength setting unit adapted to set, when the changing amount value is larger than the fourth threshold, a maximum strength as the correction strength; and a third correction strength setting unit adapted to set, when the changing amount value is not less than the third threshold and not more than the fourth threshold, a different correction strength for each changing amount value so that the correction strength is set to be a minimum strength when the changing amount value equals the third threshold, and the correction strength is set to be a maximum strength when the changing amount value equals the fourth threshold.
Claim 7
Independent Claim 300 words
A method of controlling an image correction processing apparatus, comprising: an area setting step of setting, on a target image to be processed, an area comprising a plurality of pixels including an interest pixel; a changing times calculating step of calculating a number of changes value that expresses a frequency of occurrence of changes in luminance values of pixels in said area; a changing amount calculating step of detecting, from the pixels in said area, an edge direction of the interest pixel, and calculating a changing amount value that expresses a magnitude of changes in luminance values of the pixels in said area in the edge direction; a changing acceleration calculating step of calculating a changing acceleration value that expresses an acceleration of changes in luminance values of the pixels in said area in the edge direction; a first setting step of setting, in accordance with the calculated number of changes value and the calculated changing amount value, a first correction strength for enhancing the edge for at least the interest pixel in said area; a selecting step adapted to select, on the line extending from the pixel of interest in the edge direction, a replacement pixel for enhancing the edge of the interest pixel whereas the selection is based on the acceleration of changes in luminance values in the edge direction; a second setting step of setting, in accordance with the calculated number of changes value, the calculated changing amount value, and the calculated changing acceleration value, a second correction strength for correcting the selected replacement pixel; a first correction step of correcting a luminance value of the interest pixel in accordance with the first correction strength; and a second correction step of correcting a luminance value of the selected replacement pixel in accordance with the second correction strength.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 300 words
A method of controlling an image correction processing apparatus, comprising: an area setting step of setting, on a target image to be processed, an area comprising a plurality of pixels including an interest pixel; a changing times calculating step of calculating a number of changes value that expresses a frequency of occurrence of changes in luminance values of pixels in said area; a changing amount calculating step of detecting, from the pixels in said area, an edge direction of the interest pixel, and calculating a changing amount value that expresses a magnitude of changes in luminance values of the pixels in said area in the edge direction; a changing acceleration calculating step of calculating a changing acceleration value that expresses an acceleration of changes in luminance values of the pixels in said area in the edge direction; a first setting step of setting, in accordance with the calculated number of changes value and the calculated changing amount value, a first correction strength for enhancing the edge for at least the interest pixel in said area; a selecting step adapted to select, on the line extending from the pixel of interest in the edge direction, a replacement pixel for enhancing the edge of the interest pixel whereas the selection is based on the acceleration of changes in luminance values in the edge direction; a second setting step of setting, in accordance with the calculated number of changes value, the calculated changing amount value, and the calculated changing acceleration value, a second correction strength for correcting the selected replacement pixel; a first correction step of correcting a luminance value of the interest pixel in accordance with the first correction strength; and a second correction step of correcting a luminance value of the selected replacement pixel in accordance with the second correction strength.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 29 words
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program which causes a computer to execute a method of controlling an image correction processing apparatus according to claim 6 .

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Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2014-05-16 2014-11-15 2015-05-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
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11.5 Years (Year 12) 2022-05-16 2022-11-15 2023-05-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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