# US 6,295,369 B1 · Multi-dimensional color image mapping apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,295,369 B1 - Document ID: US6295369B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/187,899 - Filed: 1998-11-06 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1998-11-06 - Assignees: Shapiro Consulting, Inc. - Inventors: Kevin K. Gordon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6295369B1 ## CPC - H04N 1/6011: {with simulation on a subsidiary picture reproducer (H04N1/622 takes precedence; matching two or more picture reproducers H04N1/6052)} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A multidimensional color image mapping apparatus (10) has an image input and output device (12) connected to at least one computer system (16). An operator monitor (14) for operating and monitoring the device is connected to the image input and output device (12) through at least one computer system (16) for processing an input image. Computer software (78) is provided on the computer system (16) for applying any image processing operation and any mathematical function to an image as a function of at least two input variables where the input variables are distinct color components from one or more color models. In the preferred embodiment, the input image is a video and is processed in a digital format. Further, in a preferred embodiment, there is a master computer (16) and a plurality of additional computers and/or processors (28) for manipulating the image. Manipulation of the input images may be selected from a group of manipulations including grain addition, image and edge sharpening/softening, chrominance 1 modification, luminance 1 modification, red modification, green modification and blue modification. Further, color models may be combined and selected one or more from a group including RGB, HSV, HSI and YCrCb color models or any other color model. ## Claims ### Claim 1 For images obtained in accordance with a particular image format, wherein the image is identified by particular color components represented by one or more consistent color models, a multi-dimensional color image mapping apparatus comprising: (a) image input and output means; (b) at least one computer system for processing an input image connected to said image input and output means; (c) operator monitor means for operating and monitoring connected to said computer system; and (d) a computer program on said computer system for applying an operator selected image processing operation to an operator selected color component of a recorded image, the operator selected image processing operation applied to the recorded image by an operator adjustable man with more than two axis dimensions where the axis are defined by distinct color components from one or more color models. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image input and output means further comprises a video input and output means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one computer system further comprises a plurality of computer systems and processors for processing input images connected to said operator monitor means and a master computer system connected to said plurality of computer systems and processors and said operator monitor means so that said operator monitor means controls the operation of said plurality of said computer systems through said master computer system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said at least one computer system comprises one master computer system and three slave computer systems connected to said operator monitor means. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: (a) an analog to digital converter means connected to said image input and output means; and (b) a digital to analog converter means connected to said image input and output means. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said computer program for selective multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation further comprises a computer program for selective multi-dimensional mapping manipulation of said input images from a group of manipulations, including grain addition, image and edge sharpening/softening, chrominance 1 modification, luminance 1 modification, red modification, green modification, and blue modification. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a computer program for selective multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation from a group including chrominance 2 modification, luminance 2 modification, color-based chrominance modification, color-based luminance modification, color-based red modification, color-based green modification, and color based blue modification. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said computer program further comprises a computer program for selective multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation in more than two dimensions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a computer program for selective multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation using x, z, and alpha axis and their corresponding Y axis. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said one or more consistent color model is one from a group including RGB, HSV, HSI and YCrCb. ### Claim 11 A computer program product comprising: (a) a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium for causing multi-dimensional color image mapping, said computer program product having; (b) computer readable program code means for enabling an operator to effect the selection of one or more color models; (c) computer readable program code means to effect the selection of an operator selected image processing operation, the image processing operation applied to a recorded image by a user adjustable map with more than two axis dimensions where the axis are defined by distinct color components from said one or more color models; and (d) computer readable program code means for the application of said image processing operation to an operator selected color component of the recorded image. ### Claim 12 For images obtained in accordance with a particular image format, wherein the image is identified by particular color components represented by one or more consistent color models, a multidimensional digital color image mapping apparatus comprising: (a) video input and output means; (b) analog to digital converter means connected to said video input and output means; (c) a digital to analog converter means connected to said video input and output means; (d) at least one computer system for processing an input video image in digital format connected to said input and output means; (e) operator monitor means for operating and monitoring connected to said computer system; and (f) a computer program on said computer system for applying an operator selected image processing operation to an operator selected color component of a recorded image, the operator selected image processing operation applied to the recorded image by an operator adjustable map with more than two axis dimensions where the axis are defined by distinct color components from one or more color models. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said at least one computer system further comprises a plurality of computer systems and a master computer system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said computer program for selective multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation further comprises a computer program for selective multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation in more than two dimensions for more than one color component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said one or more consistent color model is one from a group including RGB, HSV, HSI and YCrCb. ### Claim 16 For images obtained in accordance with a particular image format, wherein the images are identified by particular color components represented by one or more consistent color models, a method for multi-dimensional colored image mapping comprising the steps of: (a) providing an image to an image input and output means; (b) connecting at least one computer system for processing an input image to said input and output means; (c) connecting an operator monitor means to said image computer system; (d) providing a computer program for applying an operator selected image processing operation to an operator selected color component of an input image, the operator selected image processing operation applied to the input image by an operator adjustable map with more than two axis dimensions where the axis are defined by distinct color components from one or more color models; (e) operating said operator monitor means so as to direct said at least one computer system to selectively manipulate particular color components of said input image; and (f) operating said operator monitor means so as to send said input image to said input and output means for outputting said input image after selective manipulation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of: (a) connecting an analog to digital converter to said image input and output means so that said input image is manipulated in a digital format; and (b) connecting a digital to analog converter to said image input and output means. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the step of providing a computer program for selective multidimensional color mapping manipulation further comprises the step of selecting by operation of said operator monitor means multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation from a group including grain addition, image and edge sharpening/softening, chrominance 1 modification, luminance 1 modification, red modification, green modification, and blue modification. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of selecting multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation from a group including chrominance 2 modification, luminance 2 modification, color based chrominance modification, color based luminance modification, color based red modification, color based green modification and color based blue modification. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 wherein the step of providing a computer program for selective multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation further comprises the step of providing multi-dimensional color mapping manipulation in more than two dimensions for more than one color component. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of selecting said one or more consistent color models from a group including RGB, HSV, HSI and YCrCb.