Using detail-in-context lenses for accurate digital image cropping and measurement

• US 20040056869A1
• Filed: 07/08/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accessify, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: IDELIX Software Inc. (Lat49 Media Inc.)
• Inventors: Jetha, Zeenat, Skiers, Andrew, Carlisle, Andrew, Baar, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,084,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/620
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/045 Zooming at least part of an image, i.e. enlarging it or shrinking it
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/08 Cursor circuits

Abstract

A method for cropping a computer generated original image on a display, comprising the steps of: adjusting a user-selected movable boundary on the original image to define a cropped image within the boundary, the boundary defined by two or more points on the original image; and, distorting the original image in regions surrounding the points, whereby the boundary is accurately positioned for cropping. And, a method for measuring within a computer generated original image on a display, comprising the steps of: adjusting a user-selected movable line segment on the original image to define points on the original image for measuring between; and, distorting the original image in regions surrounding the points, whereby the points are accurately positioned for measuring.

Claims

1. A method for cropping a computer generated original image on a display, comprising the steps of:

adjusting a user-selected movable boundary on said original image to define a cropped image within said boundary, said boundary defined by two or more points on said original image; and

,

distorting said original image in regions surrounding said points, whereby said boundary is accurately positioned for cropping.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of distorting further includes the steps of:

creating a lens surface for one or more of said regions; and

,

transforming said original image by applying a distortion function defining said lens surface to said original image.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of creating further includes the step of displaying a graphical user interface (“

GUI”

) over one or more of said regions for adjusting said lens surface.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said lens surface includes a focal region and a base region and said GUI includes:

a slide bar icon for adjusting a magnification for said lens surface;

a slide bar icon for adjusting a degree of scooping for said lens surface;

a bounding rectangle icon with at least one handle icon for adjusting a size and a shape for said focal region;

a bounding rectangle icon with at least one handle icon for adjusting a size and a shape for said base region;

a move icon for adjusting a location for said lens surface on said boundary;

a pickup icon for adjusting a location for said base region within said original image; and

, a fold icon for adjusting a location for said focal region relative to said base region.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said adjusting is performed by moving a cursor on said display with a pointing device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said cursor is an icon.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said pointing device is a mouse.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said movable boundary is a polygon.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein said original image has one or more layers.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said regions have a predetermined selection of said layers.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein said cropped image has a predetermined selection of said layers.

9. A method for measuring within a computer generated original image on a display, comprising the steps of:

adjusting a user-selected movable line segment on said original image to define points on said original image for measuring between; and

,

distorting said original image in regions surrounding said points, whereby said points are accurately positioned for measuring.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of distorting further includes the steps of:

creating a lens surface for one or more of said regions; and

,

transforming said original image by applying a distortion function defining said lens surface to said original image.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of creating further includes the step of displaying a graphical user interface (“

GUI”

) over one or more of said regions for adjusting said lens surface.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said lens surface includes a focal region and a base region and said GUI includes:

a slide bar icon for adjusting a magnification for said lens surface;

a slide bar icon for adjusting a degree of scooping for said lens surface;

a bounding rectangle icon with at least one handle icon for adjusting a size and a shape for said focal region;

a bounding rectangle icon with at least one handle icon for adjusting a size and a shape for said base region;

a move icon for adjusting a location for said lens surface on said boundary;

a pickup icon for adjusting a location for said base region within said original image; and

, a fold icon for adjusting a location for said focal region relative to said base region.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said adjusting is performed by moving a cursor on said display with a pointing device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said cursor is an icon.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein said pointing device is a mouse.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein said line segment is a straight line.