IP Library Granted Patent US 7,515,748
Granted Patent B2
US 7,515,748 · App. 10/763,128 · Granted Apr 7, 2009

Controlled moving window adaptive histogram equalization

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,515,748
App. No.
10/763,128
Granted
Apr 7, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems of processing an image to reduce artifacts caused by image processing are disclosed. One embodiment includes applying a controlled, adaptive histogram equalization technique to improve the quality of an image. The technique may include classifying an image. The embodiments may use a concentration ratio of an image or portions thereof. Another embodiment may include a system for applying an adaptive histogram equalization technique.

Claims (56)

1. A moving-window, histogram equalization method of processing images, the method comprising:

breaking the image into a plurality of tiles; and

processing each of the plurality of tiles with a processor by:

obtaining a control parameter; wherein obtaining the control parameter includes obtaining a first control parameter and processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter;

determining a histogram for one of the plurality of tiles;

determining a concentration ratio for the one of the plurality of tiles;

determining an area of the image that includes the one of the plurality of tiles and information outside the one of the plurality of tiles;

creating a first output by performing a histogram equalization on the area;

creating a second output based on the control parameter and the first output; and

using the second output to process the one of the plurality of tiles.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein creating the first output includes creating a first look-up table and creating the second output includes creating a second look-up table.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the area includes the one of the plurality of tiles and one or more portions of other tiles in the plurality of tiles.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein obtaining a first control parameter includes obtaining a control parameter from a user.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein determining a concentration ratio for the one of the plurality of tiles includes scaling a concentration ratio value.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter includes determining a mathematical root of the group of the first control parameter, the concentration ratio, or both.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter includes multiplying one of the group of the first control parameter, the concentration ratio, or both by a number.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter includes combining the first control parameter and the concentration ratio.

9. A system for processing images using a moving-window, histogram equalization technique, the system comprising:

a processor configured to break an image into a plurality of tiles and process each of the plurality of tiles by:

obtaining a first control parameter;

determining a histogram for one of the plurality of tiles;

determining a concentration ratio for the one of the plurality of tiles;

processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter, wherein processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter includes determining a mathematical root of the group of the first control parameter, the concentration ratio, or both;

determining an area of the image that includes the one of the plurality of tiles and information outside the one of the plurality of tiles;

creating a first set of values by performing a histogram equalization on the area;

creating a second set of values based on the second control parameter and the first set of values; and

using a second set of values to process the one of the plurality of tiles.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein creating the first set of values includes creating a first look-up table and creating the second output includes creating a second look-up table.

11. A system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the area includes the one of the plurality of tiles and one or more portions of other tiles in the plurality of tiles.

12. A system as claimed in claim 9 , wherein determining a concentration ratio for the one of the plurality of tiles includes scaling a concentration ratio value.

13. A system for processing images using a moving-window, histogram equalization technique, the system comprising:

a processor configured to break an image into a plurality of tiles and process each of the plurality of tiles by:

obtaining a first control parameter;

determining a histogram for one of the plurality of tiles;

determining a concentration ratio for the one of the plurality of tiles;

processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter, wherein processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter includes multiplying one of the group of the first control parameter, the concentration ratio, or both by a number;

determining an area of the image that includes the one of the plurality of tiles and information outside the one of the plurality of tiles;

creating a first set of values by performing a histogram equalization on the area;

creating a second set of values based on the second control parameter and the first set of values; and

using a second set of values to process the one of the plurality of tiles.

14. A system for processing images using a moving-window, histogram equalization technique, the system comprising:

a processor configured to break an image into a plurality of tiles and process each of the plurality of tiles by:

obtaining a first control parameter;

determining a histogram for one of the plurality of tiles;

determining a concentration ratio for the one of the plurality of tiles;

processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter, wherein processing the first control parameter and the concentration ratio to obtain a second control parameter includes combining the first control parameter and the concentration ratio;

determining an area of the image that includes the one of the plurality of tiles and information outside the one of the plurality of tiles;

creating a first set of values by performing a histogram equalization on the area;

creating a second set of values based on the second control parameter and the first set of values; and

using a second set of values to process the one of the plurality of tiles.

15. A system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein creating the first set of values includes creating a first look-up table and creating the second output includes creating a second look-up table.

16. A system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the area includes the one of the plurality of tiles and one or more portions of other tiles in the plurality of tiles.

17. A system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein determining a concentration ratio for the one of the plurality of tiles includes scaling a concentration ratio value.

18. A system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein creating the first set of values includes creating a first look-up table and creating the second output includes creating a second look-up table.

19. A system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the area includes the one of the plurality of tiles and one or more portions of other tiles in the plurality of tiles.

20. A system as claimed in claim 14 , wherein determining a concentration ratio for the one of the plurality of tiles includes scaling a concentration ratio value.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2024
From: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 066345/0026 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT U.S. PATENT NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 046989 FRAME: 0396. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 047760/0795 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 30, 2018
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CHINA CITIC BANK CORPORATION LIMITED, GUANGZHOU BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 046989/0396 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 22, 2004
From: NYSTROM, BRANT D.; REEL, RICHARD L.; THAKUR, KHAGESHWAR
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 014923/0923 →