Device and method for image processing
AssigneeSony Corporation
InventorsTakashi Tsuchiya, Masami Ogata, Kazuhiko Ueda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device and a method for image processing make it possible to significantly improve the contrast and the sharpness of the whole image, in comparison with the ordinary. By amplifying the portions other than the edges, while conserving the edges with the pixel values which change abruptly out of input image data, it is possible to enhance and display the portions other than the edges, and so it is possible to significantly improve the contrast and the sharpness of the whole image, in comparison with the ordinary.
Claims10
An image processing device which comprises image processing means for, while conserving the edges with the pixel values which change abruptly out of input image data, amplifying the portions other than said edges, said image processing means comprising:
- smoothing means for smoothing said input image data while conserving said edges of said input image data and for generating smoothed image data;
- and
- image enhancing means for subtracting said smoothed image data from said input image data, for amplifying the subtraction result and then adding said smoothed image data, and for generating output image data, and
- further said smoothing means comprising:
- nonlinear converting means for performing nonlinear conversion on each of said input image data and generating nonlinear image data;
- nonlinear filtering means for applying nonlinear digital filter to said nonlinear image data and generating nonlinear smoothed image data;
- and
- nonlinear inverting means for performing inversion of said nonlinear converting means on said nonlinear smoothed image data and generating smoothed image data.
An image processing method for performing image processing of, while conserving the edges with the pixel values which change abruptly out of input image data, amplifying the portions other than said edges, comprising the steps of:
- smoothing said Input image data while conserving said edges of said input image data and generating smoothed image data;
- and
- subtracting said smoothed image data from said input image data, amplifying the subtraction result and then adding said smoothed image data, and generating output image data, and
- further comprising the steps of:
- eliminating the noise components out of said input image data, thereby generating noise-eliminated image data;
- and
- subtracting said smoothed image data from said noise-eliminated image data, amplifying the subtraction result and then adding said smoothed image data, thereby generating output image data, and
- further yet comprising the steps of:
- performing nonlinear conversion on each of said input image data and generating nonlinear image data;
- applying nonlinear digital filter to said nonlinear image data and generating nonlinear smoothed image data;
- and
- performing inversion of said nonlinear converting means on said nonlinear smoothed image data and generating smoothed image data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.