Methods and systems for image scaling

1. A method for scaling an input image, the method comprising:

determining whether a predetermined pattern is present in a pixel neighborhood from the input image based on a direct comparison with the predetermined pattern, the pixel neighborhood comprising pixels neighboring a pixel from the input image and including less pixels than the entire image, the predetermined pattern being less than the pixel neighborhood; and

applying, by at least one computing component, a predetermined scaling algorithm to at least a portion of the pixel neighborhood in order to obtain a scaled image if the predetermined pattern is present in the pixel neighborhood.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern comprises at least two pixels.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the predetermined scaling algorithm comprises:

providing pixel data from at least two pixels in the pixel neighborhood; and

obtaining, from at least one look-up table, pixel data for at least one pixel in the scaled image.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

selecting another pixel neighborhood, the another pixel neighborhood comprising a plurality of pixels neighboring a pixel in the scaled image;

comparing at least part of the another pixel neighborhood to another predetermined pattern in order to determine whether the another predetermined pattern is present in the another pixel neighborhood; and

applying a correction algorithm to at least a portion of the another pixel neighborhood in order to obtain a processed scaled image if the another predetermined pattern is present in the another pixel neighborhood;

wherein applying the correction algorithm comprises:

providing pixel data from at least two pixels in the another pixel neighborhood; and

obtaining pixel data for at least one pixel in the processed scaled image from a look-up table for correction.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined scaling algorithm comprises a correction algorithm.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selecting the pixel neighborhood.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern is one of a plurality of predetermined patterns, each predetermined pattern of the plurality comprising a different number of pixels or a different spatial arrangement of pixels.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pixel neighborhood pattern is asymmetrical.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined pattern consists of a line of pixels.

10. A system for scaling an input image, the system comprising:

a memory to store the input image; and

a controller configured to:

determine whether a pattern is present in a pixel neighborhood from the input image based on a direct comparison with the pattern, the pixel neighborhood comprising pixels neighboring a pixel from the input image and including less pixels than the entire image, the pattern being less than the pixel neighborhood; and

apply a predetermined scaling algorithm to at least a portion of the pixel neighborhood in order to obtain a scaled image if the pattern is present in the pixel neighborhood.

11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller, in applying the predetermined scaling algorithm, is configured to provide pixel data from at least two pixels in the pixel neighborhood and obtain, from at least one look-up table, pixel data for at least one pixel in the scaled image.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to:

select another pixel neighborhood, the another pixel neighborhood comprising a plurality of pixels neighboring a pixel in the scaled image;

compare at least part of the another pixel neighborhood to another pattern to determine whether the another pattern is present in the another pixel neighborhood; and

apply a correction algorithm to at least a portion of the another pixel neighborhood in order to obtain a processed scaled image if the another pattern is present in the another pixel neighborhood;

wherein the controller, in applying the correction algorithm, is configured to provide pixel data from at least two pixels in the scaled image and obtain, from a look-up table for correction, pixel data for at least one pixel in the processed image.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the controller is configured to:

obtain, before obtaining the scaled image, a processed image by applying a correction algorithm;

wherein the processed image is the input image for obtaining the scaled image.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the controller, in applying the correction algorithm, is configured to provide pixel data from at least two pixels in the input image and obtain, from a look-up table for correction, pixel data for at least one pixel in the processed image.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the computing component is further configured to select the pixel neighborhood.

16. A method for processing an input image, the method comprising:

determining whether a pattern is present in a pixel neighborhood from the input image based on a comparison with the pattern, the pixel neighborhood comprising pixels neighboring a pixel from the input image and including less pixels than the entire image, the pattern being less than the pixel neighborhood; and

applying, by at least one computing component, a correction algorithm to at least a portion of the pixel neighborhood in order to obtain a processed image if the pattern is present in the pixel neighborhood.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein applying the correction algorithm comprises:

providing pixel data from at least two pixels in the pixel neighborhood; and

obtaining pixel data for at least one pixel in the processed image from a look-up table for correction.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising applying a predetermined scaling algorithm to at least a portion of another pixel neighborhood in the processed image in order to obtain a processed scaled image if another pattern is present in the another pixel neighborhood.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein applying the predetermined scaling algorithm comprises:

providing pixel data from at least two pixels in the another pixel neighborhood; and

obtaining pixel data for at least one pixel in the processed scaled image from at least one look-up table.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising selecting the pixel neighborhood.