Methods for identifying, separating and editing reflection components in multi-channel images and videos

A method for separation of specular and diffuse reflections in an RGB image, the method comprising:

• inputting the RGB image into a computer programmed to execute the steps of:
• transforming the RGB image into an image in SUV color space;
• applying a partial differential equation to iteratively erode the specular contribution using a structuring set, wherein the structuring set is selected to control boundaries of a region in the image to preserve diffuse texture;
• and
• generating an output comprising at least an image comprising diffuse components of the RGB image.

A method for editing an RGB image comprising a plurality of pixels, the method comprising:

• inputting the RGB image into a computer programmed to execute the steps of:
• applying a transformation or filter to the RGB image to separate the specular and diffuse components for each pixel;
• changing at least one of the separated components;
• and
• adding the at least one changed separated component to the other components to produce an output comprising an edited image.

A method for separating specular and diffuse components in a RGB video, the method comprising:

• inputting the RGB video into a computer programmed to execute the steps of:
• transforming each pixel of each frame of the RGB video into an image in SUV color space;
• applying a partial differential equation to iteratively erode the specular contribution to separate the specular and diffuse components for each pixel, wherein the partial differential equation includes a three-dimensional structuring set having a third dimension of time;
• and
• generating an output of at least a sequence of images comprising the diffuse components of the RGB video.

A method for partial separation of specular and diffuse components within an input image in an input color space, the input image having a source color and n channels, the method comprising:

• inputting the input image into a computer programmed to execute the steps of:
• transforming the input image into a transformed image comprising one specular channel having the entire specular component of the input image and (n−1) diffuse channels comprising solely diffuse components of the input image, wherein the one specular channel is aligned with the source color;
• and
• generating an output of at least an image comprising the diffuse component of the input image.