Patent US6204940B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6204940B1
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Digital processing of scanned negative films
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1998-05-15
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Granted: 2001-03-20
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Expires: 2018-05-15
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus is described to improve the digital processing of scanned negative films by reducing the amount of time necessary to perform the process and by increasing the robustness and quality of the images produced. These benefits are achieved by a process of color inversion, white point and black point mapping, and midtone adjustment. White and black mapping increases the dynamic range of the image, as well as removes the color cast of the negative film. A backlit image postprocessing algorithm can be employed which uses heuristics to identify backlighted situations, which are then brightened using a nonlinear power mapping. A midtone adjustment can include the sub-steps of contrast reduction and color adjustment. Contrast reduction reverses the film exposure characteristics. Color adjustment removes the remaining color cast in the midtone region of the image, and obtains the correct brightness. Starting from images with poor contrast and color cast, the system automatically looks for the appropriate correction parameters to produce images with vivid color and good contrast. This is achieved without rescanning or retaking the picture. One implementation, using one dimensional look-up-tables, is very efficient.
Inventors
- 👤 Qian Lin
- 👤 Malcolm Rix
- 👤 Daniel R. Tretter
- 👤 Michael Stokes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/407; H04N1/4072; H04N1/46; H04N1/56; H04N1/60; H04N1/6027; H04N9/00; H04N9/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A process for a scanned negative color image, the process comprising the steps of: color inversion of the negative image; white point and black point mapping; and midtone adjustment to form a positive image, wherein the step of midtone adjustment comprises the steps of contrast reduction and color adjustment; and wherein said contrast reduction step uses a curve having an inverse sigmoidal shape.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A process for a scanned negative color image, the process comprising the steps of: color inversion of the negative image; white point and black point mapping; and midtone adjustment to form a positive image, wherein the step of midtone adjustment comprises the steps of contrast reduction and color adjustment; and wherein said contrast reduction step uses a curve having an inverse sigmoidal shape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process as set forth in 1 , comprising the step of backlit image detection and adjustment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process as set forth in 1 , comprising the step of backlit image detection and adjustment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 2 , wherein the color adjustment step uses a curve having a unimodal shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 2 , wherein the color adjustment step uses a curve having a unimodal shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as set forth in 1 , comprising the step of displaying the positive image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as set forth in 1 , comprising the step of displaying the positive image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as set forth in 1 , comprising the step of printing the positive image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process as set forth in 1 , comprising the step of printing the positive image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein at least one of the steps is accomplished using a look-up table.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein at least one of the steps is accomplished using a look-up table.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 6 , wherein the color adjustment step uses a curve having a unimodal shape.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 6 , wherein the color adjustment step uses a curve having a unimodal shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein soft shoulders are used when white point and black point mapping.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein soft shoulders are used when white point and black point mapping.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 8 , wherein the color adjustment step uses a curve having a unimodal shape.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 8 , wherein the color adjustment step uses a curve having a unimodal shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein the inverse sigmoidal shaped curve is dependent on the scanning device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein the inverse sigmoidal shaped curve is dependent on the scanning device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein color adjustment uses a curve having a unimodal shape for at least one color plane.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein color adjustment uses a curve having a unimodal shape for at least one color plane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as set forth in 11 , wherein the unimodal shaped curve is dependent on the scanning device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process as set forth in 11 , wherein the unimodal shaped curve is dependent on the scanning device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein the color adjustment step uses a curve having a unimodal shape.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process as set forth in 1 , wherein the color adjustment step uses a curve having a unimodal shape.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
78 words
A processor for a scanned negative color image, the processor comprising: a color inverter to perform color inversion of the negative image; a mapper to perform white point and black point mapping; and a midtone adjuster to perform midtone adjustment to form a positive image, wherein the midtone adjuster comprises a contrast reducer to perform contrast reduction, and a color adjuster to perform color adjustment; and wherein the contrast reducer uses a curve having an inverse sigmoidal shape.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
78 words
A processor for a scanned negative color image, the processor comprising: a color inverter to perform color inversion of the negative image; a mapper to perform white point and black point mapping; and a midtone adjuster to perform midtone adjustment to form a positive image, wherein the midtone adjuster comprises a contrast reducer to perform contrast reduction, and a color adjuster to perform color adjustment; and wherein the contrast reducer uses a curve having an inverse sigmoidal shape.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , comprising a backlight adjuster to perform backlit image detection and adjustment.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , comprising a backlight adjuster to perform backlit image detection and adjustment.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , comprising a display to display the positive image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , comprising a display to display the positive image.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , comprising a printer to print the positive image.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , comprising a printer to print the positive image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , wherein at least one of the color inverter, mapper, and midtone adjuster uses a look-up table.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , wherein at least one of the color inverter, mapper, and midtone adjuster uses a look-up table.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , wherein soft shoulders are used when white point and black point mapping.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The processor as set forth in 14 , wherein soft shoulders are used when white point and black point mapping.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor as set forth in 14 wherein the inverse sigmoidal shaped curve is dependent upon a scanning device.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor as set forth in 14 wherein the inverse sigmoidal shaped curve is dependent upon a scanning device.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The processor as set forth in 14 wherein the color adjuster uses a curve having a unimodal shape for at least one color plane.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The processor as set forth in 14 wherein the color adjuster uses a curve having a unimodal shape for at least one color plane.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor as set forth in 21 , wherein the unimodal shaped curve is dependent on the scanning device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
The processor as set forth in 21 , wherein the unimodal shaped curve is dependent on the scanning device.
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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) | 2004-03-19 | 2004-09-18 | 2005-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-19 | 2008-09-18 | 2009-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-19 | 2012-09-18 | 2013-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |