Color correction for digital images

An image processing apparatus for transforming colors in a color image by a destination device, wherein the color image comprises pixels with color information, comprising:

• a computer-readable memory constructed to store computer-executable process steps;
• and
• a processor constructed to execute the computer-executable process steps stored in the memory;
• wherein the process steps stored in the memory cause the processor to:
• access a depth map corresponding to the color image, wherein the depth map comprises depth information for the color image and indicates the relative position of objects in the color image from a reference point of view;
• access a collection of plural different color transforms;
• determine a depth value for a target pixel in the color image by using the depth map;
• select a color transform for the target pixel from the collection of plural different color transforms, wherein the color transform is selected based on the depth value determined for the target pixel;
• and
• apply the selected color transform to the color information of the target pixel.

An image processing module for transforming colors in a color image by a destination device, wherein the color image comprises pixels with color information, comprising:

• a depth map access module for accessing a depth map corresponding to the color image, wherein the depth map comprises depth information for the color image and indicates the relative position of objects in the color image from a reference point of view;
• a color transform access module accessing a collection of plural different color transforms;
• a determination module for determining a depth value for a target pixel in the color image by using the depth map;
• a selection module for selecting a color transform for the target pixel from the collection of plural different color transforms, wherein the color transform is selected based on the depth value determined for the target pixel;
• and
• an application module for applying the selected color transform to the color information of the target pixel.

A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable process steps for causing a computer to perform a method for transforming colors in a color image by a destination device, wherein the color image comprises pixels with color information, the method comprising:

• accessing a depth map corresponding to the color image, wherein the depth map comprises depth information for the color image and indicates the relative position of objects in the color image from a reference point of view;
• accessing a collection of plural different color transforms;
• determining a depth value for a target pixel in the color image by using the depth map;
• selecting a color transform for the target pixel from the collection of plural different color transforms, wherein the color transform is selected based on the depth value determined for the target pixel;
• and
• applying the selected color transform to the color information of the target pixel.

A content distribution system for distributing a sequence of plural color images for rendering by multiple different destination devices, wherein each color image comprises pixels with color information, the system comprising:

• a predesignated collection of plural different color transforms;
• an association of each color image with a depth map, wherein the depth map comprises depth information for the color image and indicates the relative position of objects in the color image from a reference point of view;
• and
• an association of each destination device with a correspondence table constructed to store a mapping between depth information and the plural different color transforms in the collection;
• wherein at the destination device, a color transform is selected for each target pixel in each color image by determining a depth value for the target pixel using the depth map, determining an index into the correspondence table associated with the destination device using the depth value so determined, and selecting a color transform corresponding to the determined index, and the selected color transform is applied to the target pixel.