3D histogram and other user interface elements for color correcting images

• US 20070247475A1
• Filed: 04/21/2006
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Candela, Dan, Mouilleseaux, Jean-Pierre, Pettigrew, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,022,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/594
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0606 Manual adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2320/0666 for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/06 using colour palettes, e.g. look-up tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/62 Retouching, i.e. modification of isolated colours only or in isolated picture areas only

Abstract

The disclosed implementations relate generally to 3D histograms and other user interface elements for color correcting digital images. A color correction method includes: generating a user interface for display on a display device, the user interface including a display area; generating a three-dimensional cube representing a color space for display in the display area; and generating a plurality of spheres for display within the cube, where the spheres are sized to represent pixel densities in a digital image.

Claims

1. A color correction method, comprising:

generating a user interface for display on a display device, the user interface including a display area;

generating a three-dimensional cube representing a color space for display in the display area; and

generating a plurality of spheres for display within the cube, where the spheres are sized to represent pixel densities in a digital image.

2. The method of claim 1, where the color space is RGB (Red, Green, Blue).

3. The method of claim 1, where the color space is HLS (Hue, Lightness and Saturation).

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the orientation of the cube in the display area in response to input.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

replacing the spheres with points representing pixel values in the digital image in response to input, where each graphical object represents a single pixel value.

6. The method of claim 1, where the three-dimensional cube and spheres are generated for display over the digital image.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a gradient surface for display in the display area.

8. The method of claim 1, where the gradient surface is selected from a group of gradient surfaces including hue/saturation and luminance gradient surfaces.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a reference for display in the cube, the reference representing a color range in the digital image.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

generating a projection for display on a gradient surface displayed in the cube, the projection for providing a visual indication of the position of the reference in color space.

11. A color correction method, comprising:

generating a user interface for display on a display device, the user interface including a display area; and

generating a color correction interface for display in the display area, the interface including a control for adjusting a selected hue range in a digital image, where the control allows for hue overstep.

12. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the operations of:

generating a user interface for display on a display device, the user interface including a display area;

generating a three-dimensional cube representing a color space for display in the display area; and

generating a plurality of spheres for display within the cube, where the spheres are sized to represent pixel densities in a digital image.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:

adjusting the orientation of the cube in the display area in response to input.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:

replacing the spheres with points representing pixel values in the digital image in response to input, where each graphical object represents a single pixel value.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, where the three-dimensional cube and spheres are generated for display over the digital image.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, further comprising:

generating a gradient surface for display in the display area.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, where the gradient surface is selected from a group of gradient surfaces including hue/saturation and luminance gradient surfaces.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising:

generating a reference for display in the cube, the reference representing a color range in the digital image.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising:

generating a projection for display on a gradient surface displayed in the cube, the projection for providing a visual indication of the position of the reference in color space.

20. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the operations of:

generating a user interface for display on a display device, the user interface including a display area; and

generating a color correction interface for display in the display area, the interface including a control for adjusting a selected hue range in a digital image, where the control allows for hue overstep.