Method and user interface for modifying at least one of contrast and density of pixels of a processed image

1. A method of modifying at least one of contrast and density of pixels of a processed image comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying said processed image on a display screen,

(b) specifying an initial density level in said processed image by covering a pixel or pixel region by means of a first indicium which is capable of responding to a user input for moving said indicium relative to the displayed processed image, the density of the pixel or pixel region covered by said indicium being the initial density,

(c) in response to a user input, moving a second indicium in at least one of two directions relative to the displayed processed image,

(d) changing the contrast of pixels in the displayed processed image which have substantially the same density as said initial density upon receiving the user input for movement of said second indicium in a first of said directions, and

(e) changing the density of pixels in the displayed processed image which have substantially the same density as said initial density upon receiving the user input for movement of said second indicium in a second of said directions,

wherein contrast and density are changed independently by modifying a multi-scale representation of said image, wherein the modification is derived from at least two gradient functions determined at different scales, and wherein a gradient function at a specific scale specifies how contrast amplification at a scale depends on density.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the amount by which the contrast of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the amount by which the density of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein said amount of density change gradually decreases for pixels that have either lower or higher density values relative to the initial density level.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the amount by which the density of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein said amount of density change gradually decreases for pixels that have either lower or higher density values relative to the initial density level.

7. A computer readable medium encoded with a computer executable program code which executes the steps of:

(a) displaying a processed image on a display screen,

(b) specifying an initial density level in said processed image by covering a pixel or pixel region by means of a first indicium which is capable of responding to a user input for moving said indicium relative to the displayed processed image, the density of the pixel or pixel region covered by said indicium being the initial density,

(c) in response to a user input, moving a second indicium in at least one of two directions relative to the displayed processed image,

(d) changing the contrast of pixels in the displayed processed image which have substantially the same density as said initial density upon receiving the user input for movement of said second indicium in a first of said directions, and

(e) changing the density of pixels in the displayed processed image which have substantially the same density as said initial density upon receiving the user input for movement of said second indicium in a second of said directions,

wherein contrast and density are changed independently by modifying a multi-scale representation of said image, wherein the modification is derived from at least two gradient functions determined at different scales, and wherein a gradient function at a specific scale specifies how contrast amplification at a scale depends on density.

8. The computer readable medium encoded with a computer executable program code according to claim 7 , wherein the amount by which the contrast of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

9. The computer readable medium encoded with a computer executable program code according to claim 8 , wherein the amount by which the density of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

10. The computer readable medium encoded with a computer executable program code according to claim 9 , wherein said amount of density change gradually decreases for pixels that have either lower or higher density values relative to the initial density level.

11. The computer readable medium encoded with a computer executable program code according to claim 7 , wherein the amount by which the density of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

12. The computer readable medium encoded with a computer executable program code according to claim 11 , wherein said amount of density change gradually decreases for pixels that have either lower or higher density values relative to the initial density level.

13. A user interface for an image processing and display unit comprising:

(a) a window wherein a processed image is displayed,

(b) a first indicium capable of responding to user input for moving relative to the displayed processed image, wherein the density of a pixel or pixel region covered by movement of said first indicium is an initial density, and

(c) a second indicium capable of responding to user input for moving in at least one of two directions relative to the displayed processed image,

wherein said user input for movement of said second indicium in a first direction causes a change of density of pixels in the displayed processed image that have a density value that is substantially equal to said initial density,

wherein said user input for movement of said second indicium in a second direction causes a change of contrast of pixels in the displayed processed image that have a density value that is substantially equal to said initial density, and

wherein contrast and density are changed independently by modifying a multi-scale representation of said image, wherein the modification is derived from at least two gradient functions determined at different scales, and wherein a gradient function at a specific scale specifies how contrast amplification at a scale depends on density.

14. The user interface for an image processing and display unit according to claim 13 , wherein the amount by which the contrast of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

15. The user interface for an image processing and display unit according to claim 14 , wherein the amount by which the density of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

16. The user interface for an image processing and display unit according to claim 15 , wherein said amount of density change gradually decreases for pixels that have either lower or higher density values relative to the initial density level.

17. The user interface for an image processing and display unit according to claim 13 , wherein the amount by which the density of selected pixels is changed is largest for pixels having a density equal to said initial density.

18. The user interface for an image processing and display unit according to claim 17 , wherein said amount of density change gradually decreases for pixels that have either lower or higher density values relative to the initial density level.