Adjustment of color values for optimized image processing

• US 20040247186A1
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ubillos, Randy, Graves, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,242,411 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/232
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/02 characterised by the way in which colour is displayed details of colour display specific for CRTs G09G1/28; specific for flat matrix panels other than liquid crystal displays G09G3/2003; specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/186 the unit being a colour or a chrominance component
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/40 using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/44 Decoders specially adapted therefor, e.g. video decoders which are asymmetric with respect to the encoder

Abstract

A method for processing an image of a given file type is disclosed. The method involves converting the image into data formatted for a new pixel type, the new pixel type is closely correlated with and has all the components of pixels for the given file type. In addition, the method includes processing the data formatted in the new pixel type using standard image processing routines, these standard routines being designed for data having different components of pixels than the new pixel type and the given file type.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

defining a new pixel type for the purpose of image processing;

updating codecs to support handling of images formatted in said new pixel type;

converting an image stored in a given file type into data formatted in said new pixel type; and

processing said data formatted in said new pixel type using standard image processing routines, said new pixel type closely correlated to said given file type, said new pixel type containing all the components of pixels of said given file type, said standard routines designed for a color space different than that of said given file type and said new pixel type.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

enabling a user to select white levels and super-white levels in said new pixel type.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said new pixel type is ordered with the Alpha channel first, followed by the Y channel second, followed by the Cb channel third, and the Cr channel fourth, said converting including re-ordering of said data in given file type to match the order of said new pixel type.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said defining includes:

providing for the Alpha channel to range from 0 to 255.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein said defining includes:

utilizing of said Y channel such that black corresponds to a Y value of 0.

6. A method according to claim 4 wherein said converting includes:

if said Alpha channel was present in said given file type, then merely extending the range of said Alpha channel to correspond to the new pixel type definition; and

if said Alpha channel was not present in said given file type, then filling in Alpha values for the Alpha channel.

7. A method according to claim 5 wherein said converting includes:

subtracting a fixed offset value from the Y channel of data in said given file type.

8. A method according to claim 3 wherein said defining includes:

providing for the Alpha channel to range from 0 to 255; and

utilizing of said Y channel such that black corresponds to a Y value of 0.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein said converting includes:

if said Alpha channel was present in said given file type, then merely extending the range of said Alpha channel to correspond to the new pixel type definition; and

if said Alpha channel was not present in said given file type, then filling in Alpha values for the Alpha channel; and

subtracting a fixed offset value from the Y channel of data in said given file type.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said given file type has pixels of type v408, and said standard image processing routines were designed for RGB data.

11. A method according to claim 10 further wherein said processing is confined to routines that are not color space specific.

12. A method for processing an image of a given file type comprising:

converting said image into data formatted for a new pixel type, said new pixel type closely correlated with and having all the components of pixels for said given file type; and

processing said data formatted in said new pixel type using standard image processing routines, said standard routines designed for data having different components of pixels than said new pixel type and said given file type.

13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising:

converting said processed data back into format of said given file type.

14. A method according to claim 13 further comprising:

decompressing said image prior to said converting if said given file type stores component data in a compressed form.

15. A method according to claim 13 comprising:

compressing said processed data after said converting back of said processed data into the format of said given file type.

16. A method according to claim 12 wherein said new pixel type includes Alpha, Y, Cr and Cb channels, said Alpha channel extended in range, said Y channel has a value of Black corresponding to zero, all said channels reordered to correspond closely with said standard routines.

17. An article comprising a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which when executed cause:

defining a new pixel type for the purpose of image processing;

updating codecs to support handling of images formatted in said new pixel type;

converting an image stored in a given file type into data formatted in said new pixel type; and

processing said data formatted in said new pixel type using standard image processing routines, said new pixel type closely correlated to said given file type, said new pixel type containing all the components of pixels of said given file type, said standard routines designed for a color space different than that of said given file type and said new pixel type.

19. An article according to claim 17 wherein said new pixel type includes Alpha, Y, Cr and Cb channels, said Alpha channel extended in range, said Y channel has a value of Black corresponding to zero, all said channels reordered to correspond closely with said standard routines.

18. An article comprising a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon which when executed enable processing an image of a given file type, said instructions causing:

converting said image into data formatted for a new pixel type, said new pixel type closely correlated with and having all the components of pixels for said given file type; and

processing said data formatted in said new pixel type using standard image processing routines, said standard routines designed for data having different components of pixels than said new pixel type and said given file type.

20. An apparatus comprising:

means for defining a new pixel type for the purpose of image processing;

means for updating codecs to support handling of images formatted in said new pixel type;

means for converting an image stored in a given file type into data formatted in said new pixel type; and

means for processing said data formatted in said new pixel type using standard image processing routines, said new pixel type closely correlated to said given file type, said new pixel type containing all the components of pixels of said given file type, said standard routines designed for a color space different than that of said given file type and said new pixel type.

21. An apparatus enabling processing an image of a given file type, comprising:

means for converting said image into data formatted for a new pixel type, said new pixel type closely correlated with and having all the components of pixels for said given file type; and

means for processing said data formatted in said new pixel type using standard image processing routines, said standard routines designed for data having different components of pixels than said new pixel type and said given file type.