Method and apparatus for generating color image mask
First Claim
1. A method of generating mask data representing a desired color area in a color image, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) specifying n pieces of subject colors and m pieces of non-subject colors for defining said desired color area, where m and n are integers;
(b) obtaining n pieces of first color vectors for said n pieces of subject color in a color space;
(c) obtaining m pieces of second color vectors for said m pieces of non-subject colors in said color space;
(d) forming n×
m combinations of said first and second color vectors, and obtaining a third color vector linearly independent of the first and second color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m combinations to form n×
m sets of bases composed of said first through third color vectors;
(e) expressing color of each pixel included in said color image by a linear combination of said first through third color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases, to thereby obtain first through third coefficients for said first through third color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases; and
(f) generating said mask data as a function of said first coefficient obtained with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases.
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Abstract
A subject color and a non-subject color of a mask is specified, and a first color vector representing the subject color and a second color vector representing the non-subject color are determined. A third color vector is set to be linearly independent of the first and second color vectors. First through third coefficients are then determined for the first through third color vectors. Bit map data representing the distribution of the first coefficient is binarized to give binary mask data representing a mask. A mask area and a non-mask area are distinguishably displayed in the color image. Accordingly, the present invention will produce a mask area whose color is close to the subject color while excluding the non-subject color.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of generating mask data representing a desired color area in a color image, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) specifying n pieces of subject colors and m pieces of non-subject colors for defining said desired color area, where m and n are integers; (b) obtaining n pieces of first color vectors for said n pieces of subject color in a color space; (c) obtaining m pieces of second color vectors for said m pieces of non-subject colors in said color space; (d) forming n×
m combinations of said first and second color vectors, and obtaining a third color vector linearly independent of the first and second color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m combinations to form n×
m sets of bases composed of said first through third color vectors;(e) expressing color of each pixel included in said color image by a linear combination of said first through third color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases, to thereby obtain first through third coefficients for said first through third color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases; and(f) generating said mask data as a function of said first coefficient obtained with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for generating mask data representing a desired color area in a color image, said apparatus comprising:
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means for specifying n pieces of subject colors and m pieces of non-subject colors for defining said desired color area, where m and n are integers; means for obtaining n pieces of first color vectors for said n pieces of subject color in a color space; means for obtaining m pieces of second color vectors for said m pieces of non-subject colors in said color space; means for forming n×
m combinations of said first and second color vectors, and obtaining a third color vector linearly independent of the first and second color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m combinations to form n×
m sets of bases from said first through third color vectors;means for expressing color of each pixel included in said color image by a linear combination of said first through third color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases, to thereby obtain first through third coefficients for said first through third color vectors with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases;means for generating said mask data as a function of said first coefficient obtained with respect to each of said n×
m sets of bases. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification