EP0726672A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image processing method and apparatus
Assignee: Fujifilm Holdings Corp
•
Filing: 1996-02-08
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2016-02-08
Abstract
Abstract In an image processing method for carrying out processing on an image signal, which represents a given image, the image signal is separated into low frequency components, middle frequency components, and high frequency components. Emphasis and restriction processing is carried out, with which the high frequency components are emphasized and the middle frequency components are restricted. The high frequency components and the middle frequency components, which have been obtained from the emphasis and restriction processing, and the low frequency components are combined with one another, and a processed image signal is thereby obtained. The image sharpness is thus emphasized, and noise components due to film graininess are removed, such that a reproduced image having good image quality may be obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Tohru c/o Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. Matama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 04:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T5/00; G06T5/73; G06T5/75; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/409; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/58; H04N5/00; H04N5/14; H04N5/20; H04N5/205; H04N5/208
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An image processing method for carrying out
processing on an image signal, which represents a given
image, comprising the steps of: i) separating the image signal into low frequency
components, middle frequency components, and high frequency
components, ii) carrying out emphasis and restriction
processing, with which said high frequency components are
emphasized and said middle frequency components are
restricted, and iii) combining said high frequency components
and said middle frequency components, which have been
obtained from said emphasis and restriction processing, and
said low frequency components with one another, a processed
image signal being thereby obtained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as defined in Claim 1 wherein, after
said separation, luminance components are extracted from
said high frequency components and said middle frequency
components, and said emphasis and restriction processing and said
combining are carried out in accordance with only said
luminance components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 1 wherein a
specific color region is extracted from the given image, and said emphasis and restriction processing is
carried out such that said middle frequency components,
which correspond to said specific color region, may be
restricted even further.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 2 wherein a
specific color region is extracted from the given image,
and said emphasis and restriction processing is
carried out such that said middle frequency components,
which correspond to said specific color region, may be
restricted even further.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method as defined in Claim 1 wherein, after
said separation, a calculation is made to find a rating
value of said middle frequency components and/or said high
frequency components, and said emphasis and restriction processing is
carried out such that the middle frequency components
corresponding to picture elements, which are associated
with the rating values smaller than a predetermined
threshold value, may be more restricted than the middle
frequency components corresponding to picture elements,
which are associated with the rating values larger than the
predetermined threshold value, are.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method as defined in Claim 2 wherein, after
said separation, a calculation is made to find a rating
value of said middle frequency components and/or said high
frequency components, and said emphasis and restriction processing is
carried out such that the middle frequency components
corresponding to picture elements, which are associated
with the rating values smaller than a predetermined
threshold value, may be more restricted than the middle
frequency components corresponding to picture elements,
which are associated with the rating values larger than the
predetermined threshold value, are.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as defined in Claim 5 wherein said
emphasis and restriction processing is carried out such
that the high frequency components corresponding to the
picture elements, which are associated with the rating
values smaller than the predetermined threshold value, may
be less emphasized than the high frequency components
corresponding to the picture elements, which are associated
with the rating values larger than the predetermined
threshold value, are.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as defined in Claim 6 wherein said
emphasis and restriction processing is carried out such
that the high frequency components corresponding to the
picture elements, which are associated with the rating
values smaller than the predetermined threshold value, may
be less emphasized than the high frequency components
corresponding to the picture elements, which are associated
with the rating values larger than the predetermined
threshold value, are.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in Claim 5 wherein said
rating value is a correlation value between at least a
single set of two colors, which are among red, green, and
blue three colors, said correlation value being calculated
from said middle frequency components and/or said high
frequency components, which are of the respective colors
and correspond to the same picture element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in Claim 6 wherein said
rating value is a correlation value between at least a
single set of two colors, which are among red, green, and
blue three colors, said correlation value being calculated
from said middle frequency components and/or said high
frequency components, which are of the respective colors
and correspond to the same picture element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in Claim 7 wherein said
rating value is a correlation value between at least a
single set of two colors, which are among red, green, and
blue three colors, said correlation value being calculated
from said middle frequency components and/or said high
frequency components, which are of the respective colors
and correspond to the same picture element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method as defined in Claim 8 wherein said
rating value is a correlation value between at least a
single set of two colors, which are among red, green, and
blue three colors, said correlation value being calculated
from said middle frequency components and/or said high
frequency components, which are of the respective colors
and correspond to the same picture element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as defined in Claim 5 wherein said
rating value is subjected to a filter processing with a
median filter, and thereafter said emphasis and restriction
processing is carried out by using said predetermined
threshold value and in accordance with said rating value,
which has been obtained from said filter processing with
said medial filter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as defined in Claim 6 wherein said
rating value is subjected to a filter processing with a
median filter, and thereafter said emphasis and restriction
processing is carried out by using said predetermined
threshold value and in accordance with said rating value,
which has been obtained from said filter processing with
said medial filter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as defined in Claim 7 wherein said
rating value is subjected to a filter processing with a
median filter, and thereafter said emphasis and restriction
processing is carried out by using said predetermined
threshold value and in accordance with said rating value,
which has been obtained from said filter processing with
said medial filter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as defined in Claim 8 wherein said
rating value is subjected to a filter processing with a
median filter, and thereafter said emphasis and restriction
processing is carried out by using said predetermined
threshold value and in accordance with said rating value,
which has been obtained from said filter processing with
said medial filter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as defined in Claim 9 wherein said
rating value is subjected to a filter processing with a
median filter, and thereafter said emphasis and restriction
processing is carried out by using said predetermined
threshold value and in accordance with said rating value,
which has been obtained from said filter processing with
said medial filter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as defined in Claim 10 wherein said
rating value is subjected to a filter processing with a
median filter, and thereafter said emphasis and restriction
processing is carried out by using said predetermined
threshold value and in accordance with said rating value,
which has been obtained from said filter processing with
said medial filter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as defined in Claim 11 wherein said
rating value is subjected to a filter processing with a
median filter, and thereafter said emphasis and restriction
processing is carried out by using said predetermined
threshold value and in accordance with said rating value,
which has been obtained from said filter processing with
said medial filter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as defined in Claim 12 wherein said
rating value is subjected to a filter processing with a
median filter, and thereafter said emphasis and restriction
processing is carried out by using said predetermined
threshold value and in accordance with said rating value,
which has been obtained from said filter processing with
said medial filter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 5 wherein the
calculation of said middle frequency components and/or said
high frequency components and the calculation of said
rating value are carried out respectively in accordance
with different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 6 wherein the
calculation of said middle frequency components and/or said
high frequency components and the calculation of said
rating value are carried out respectively in accordance
with different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 7 wherein the
calculation of said middle frequency components and/or said
high frequency components and the calculation of said
rating value are carried out respectively in accordance
with different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 8 wherein the
calculation of said middle frequency components and/or said
high frequency components and the calculation of said
rating value are carried out respectively in accordance
with different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 9 wherein the
calculation of said middle frequency components and/or said
high frequency components and the calculation of said
rating value are carried out respectively in accordance
with different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 10 wherein the
calculation of said middle frequency components and/or said
high frequency components and the calculation of said
rating value are carried out respectively in accordance
with different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 11 wherein the
calculation of said middle frequency components and/or said
high frequency components and the calculation of said
rating value are carried out respectively in accordance
with different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as defined in Claim 12 wherein the
calculation of said middle frequency components and/or said
high frequency components and the calculation of said
rating value are carried out respectively in accordance
with different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method as defined in Claim 1 wherein the
degrees of the emphasis and the restriction in said
emphasis and restriction processing are determined by being
selected from a plurality of emphasis and restriction
processing conditions, which have been determined
previously in accordance with image reproducing conditions
in the reproduction of a visible image from said processed
image signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
108 words
An image processing apparatus for carrying
out processing on an image signal, which represents a given
image, comprising: i) a separation means for separating the image
signal into low frequency components, middle frequency
components, and high frequency components, ii) an emphasis and restriction processing means
for carrying out emphasis and restriction processing, with
which said high frequency components are emphasized and
said middle frequency components are restricted, and iii) a composition means for combining said high
frequency components and said middle frequency components,
which have been obtained from said emphasis and restriction
processing, and said low frequency components with one
another, a processed image signal being thereby obtained.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
67 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 30 wherein
the apparatus further comprises a luminance components
extracting means which, after said separation by said
separation means, extracts luminance components from said
high frequency components and said middle frequency
components, and said emphasis and restriction processing means
and said composition means respectively carry out said
emphasis and restriction processing and said combining in
accordance with only said luminance components.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 30 wherein
the apparatus further comprises a region extracting means
for extracting a specific color region from the given image,
and said emphasis and restriction processing means
carries out said emphasis and restriction processing such
that said middle frequency components, which correspond to
said specific color region, may be restricted even further.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
58 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 31 wherein
the apparatus further comprises a region extracting means
for extracting a specific color region from the given
image, and said emphasis and restriction processing means
carries out said emphasis and restriction processing such
that said middle frequency components, which correspond to
said specific color region, may be restricted even further.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
103 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 30 wherein
the apparatus further comprises a rating value calculating
means which, after said separation by said separation means,
calculates a rating value of said middle frequency
components and/or said high frequency components, and said emphasis and restriction processing means
carries out said emphasis and restriction processing such
that the middle frequency components corresponding to
picture elements, which are associated with the rating
values smaller than a predetermined threshold value, may be
more restricted than the middle frequency components
corresponding to picture elements, which are associated
with the rating values larger than the predetermined
threshold value, are.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
103 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 31 wherein
the apparatus further comprises a rating value calculating
means which, after said separation by said separation means,
calculates a rating value of said middle frequency
components and/or said high frequency components, and said emphasis and restriction processing means
carries out said emphasis and restriction processing such
that the middle frequency components corresponding to
picture elements, which are associated with the rating
values smaller than a predetermined threshold value, may be
more restricted than the middle frequency components
corresponding to picture elements, which are associated
with the rating values larger than the predetermined
threshold value, are.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 34 wherein
said emphasis and restriction processing means carries out
said emphasis and restriction processing such that the high
frequency components corresponding to the picture elements,
which are associated with the rating values smaller than the
predetermined threshold value, may be less emphasized than
the high frequency components corresponding to the picture
elements, which are associated with the rating values larger
than the predetermined threshold value, are.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
73 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 35 wherein
said emphasis and restriction processing means carries out
said emphasis and restriction processing such that the high
frequency components corresponding to the picture elements,
which are associated with the rating values smaller than the
predetermined threshold value, may be less emphasized than
the high frequency components corresponding to the picture
elements, which are associated with the rating values larger
than the predetermined threshold value, are.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 34 wherein
said rating value calculating means calculates a
correlation value between at least a single set of two
colors, which are among red, green, and blue three colors,
said correlation value being calculated from said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components,
which are of the respective colors and correspond to the
same picture element.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 35 wherein
said rating value calculating means calculates a
correlation value between at least a single set of two
colors, which are among red, green, and blue three colors,
said correlation value being calculated from said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components,
which are of the respective colors and correspond to the
same picture element.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 36 wherein
said rating value calculating means calculates a
correlation value between at least a single set of two
colors, which are among red, green, and blue three colors,
said correlation value being calculated from said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components,
which are of the respective colors and correspond to the
same picture element.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 37 wherein
said rating value calculating means calculates a
correlation value between at least a single set of two
colors, which are among red, green, and blue three colors,
said correlation value being calculated from said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components,
which are of the respective colors and correspond to the
same picture element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 34 wherein
said rating value calculating means is provided with a
median filter for filtering said rating value, and said
emphasis and restriction processing means carries out said
emphasis and restriction processing by using said
predetermined threshold value and in accordance with said
rating value, which has been obtained from said filtering
with said medial filter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 35 wherein
said rating value calculating means is provided with a
median filter for filtering said rating value, and said
emphasis and restriction processing means carries out said
emphasis and restriction processing by using said
predetermined threshold value and in accordance with said
rating value, which has been obtained from said filtering
with said medial filter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 36 wherein
said rating value calculating means is provided with a
median filter for filtering said rating value, and said
emphasis and restriction processing means carries out said
emphasis and restriction processing by using said
predetermined threshold value and in accordance with said
rating value, which has been obtained from said filtering
with said medial filter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 37 wherein
said rating value calculating means is provided with a
median filter for filtering said rating value, and said
emphasis and restriction processing means carries out said
emphasis and restriction processing by using said
predetermined threshold value and in accordance with said
rating value, which has been obtained from said filtering
with said medial filter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 38 wherein
said rating value calculating means is provided with a
median filter for filtering said rating value, and said
emphasis and restriction processing means carries out said
emphasis and restriction processing by using said
predetermined threshold value and in accordance with said
rating value, which has been obtained from said filtering
with said medial filter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 39 wherein
said rating value calculating means is provided with a
median filter for filtering said rating value, and said
emphasis and restriction processing means carries out said
emphasis and restriction processing by using said
predetermined threshold value and in accordance with said
rating value, which has been obtained from said filtering
with said medial filter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 40 wherein
said rating value calculating means is provided with a
median filter for filtering said rating value, and said
emphasis and restriction processing means carries out said
emphasis and restriction processing by using said
predetermined threshold value and in accordance with said
rating value, which has been obtained from said filtering
with said medial filter.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 41 wherein
said rating value calculating means is provided with a
median filter for filtering said rating value, and said
emphasis and restriction processing means carries out said
emphasis and restriction processing by using said
predetermined threshold value and in accordance with said
rating value, which has been obtained from said filtering
with said medial filter.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 34 wherein
said separation means and said rating value calculating
means respectively carry out the calculation of said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components
and the calculation of said rating value in accordance with
different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 35 wherein
said separation means and said rating value calculating
means respectively carry out the calculation of said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components
and the calculation of said rating value in accordance with
different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 36 wherein
said separation means and said rating value calculating
means respectively carry out the calculation of said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components
and the calculation of said rating value in accordance with
different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 37 wherein
said separation means and said rating value calculating
means respectively carry out the calculation of said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components
and the calculation of said rating value in accordance with
different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 38 wherein
said separation means and said rating value calculating
means respectively carry out the calculation of said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components
and the calculation of said rating value in accordance with
different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 39 wherein
said separation means and said rating value calculating
means respectively carry out the calculation of said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components
and the calculation of said rating value in accordance with
different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 40 wherein
said separation means and said rating value calculating
means respectively carry out the calculation of said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components
and the calculation of said rating value in accordance with
different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 41 wherein
said separation means and said rating value calculating
means respectively carry out the calculation of said middle
frequency components and/or said high frequency components
and the calculation of said rating value in accordance with
different colors, which are among red, green, and blue
three colors.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
92 words
An apparatus as defined in Claim 30 wherein
said emphasis and restriction processing means is provided
with a storage means for storing a plurality of emphasis
and restriction processing conditions, which have been
determined previously in accordance with image reproducing
conditions in the reproduction of a visible image from said
processed image signal, and a selection means for selecting
predetermined emphasis and restriction processing
conditions from said storage means in accordance with image
reproducing conditions and thereby determining the degrees
of the emphasis and the restriction in said emphasis and
restriction processing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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