Specular reflection in captured images
First Claim
1. Apparatus for processing an image captured by an image capturing device, the apparatus comprising processing apparatus for combining or blending at least one first image including a predetermined maximum level or intensity of specular reflection with a second image to produce a third image wherein said second image consists of said first image substantially without said specular reflection, and an adjustor for adjusting the level or intensity of specular reflection appearing in said third image to a level between said predetermined maximum level and substantially zero (inclusive).
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Abstract
A method for selectively adjusting the amount of specular reflections appearing in the final image output by an image capturing device by blending two substantially perfectly overlapping images, one with natural specular reflections and one without specular reflections. In the combined image, the amount of specular reflection is lower than in the image having natural specular reflections, to the extent in many cases that the underlying image content can be seen. In any event, the apparatus provides means for selectively adjusting the intensity of specular reflection, or even eliminating it altogether, in each region of the image containing such reflection.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for processing an image captured by an image capturing device, the apparatus comprising processing apparatus for combining or blending at least one first image including a predetermined maximum level or intensity of specular reflection with a second image to produce a third image wherein said second image consists of said first image substantially without said specular reflection, and an adjustor for adjusting the level or intensity of specular reflection appearing in said third image to a level between said predetermined maximum level and substantially zero (inclusive).
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12. A method of processing an image captured by an image capturing device, the method comprising the steps of combining or blending at least one first image including a predetermined maximum level or intensity of specular reflection with a second image, which comprises said first image substantially without said specular reflection, to produce a third image, and adjusting the specular reflection appearing in said third image to a level or intensity between said predetermined maximum level and substantially zero (inclusive).
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18. Apparatus for processing an image captured by an image capturing device, the apparatus comprising processing apparatus for combining or blending at least one first image including one or more specular reflection or glare patches with a second image to produce a third image, said second image comprising said first image having no specular reflection or glare patches, to produce a third image, and an analog adjustor for manually adjusting the intensity of one or more of the specular reflection or glare patches appearing in said third image.
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19. Apparatus for processing an image captured by an image capturing device, the apparatus comprising processing apparatus for combining or blending at least one first image including a predetermined maximum level or intensity of specular reflection with a second image to produce a third image wherein said second image said first image comprises said first image without said specular reflection, an adjustor for adjusting the level or intensity of specular reflection, and a selector for selecting one or more discrete areas of specular reflection in said selected one or more discrete areas of said predetermined maximum level and substantially zero (inclusive).
Specification