Automated generation of masks for photo-compositing

• US 6,377,269 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1999
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Carl B. Brandenberg, Robert L. Kay
• Original Assignee: Carl B. Brandenberg, Robert L. Kay
• Inventors: Brandenberg, Carl B., Kay, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sajous, Wesner
• Application Number:
  US09/322,447
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 345/418, 345/431, 345/433, 345/435, 345/473, 345/434, 345/113, 345/114, 345/115, 345/118, 345/121, 345/586, 345/589, 345/590, 345/591, 345/592, 345/593, 345/596-597, 345/612-614, 345/619-626, 345/640, 345/643, 345/469.1, 348/239, 348/241, 348/584, 348/586, 348/587, 348/578, 348/473, 382/162-169, 382/199, 382/266, 382/274-284
• US Class Current: 345/589
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/503 Blending, e.g. for anti-aliasing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/11 Region-based segmentation

Abstract

An image processing method useful for producing images of subjects for inclusion in composite images, said processing method utilizing multiple images, including a first image of a foreground subject plus a first background, and a second image of said foreground subject plus a second background. The two images are digitally processed to generate a third image of the foreground subject alone, accurate in color and transparency without any color contribution from either background.

Claims

1. A method of electronic photo-compositing comprising:

(a) providing an object;

(b) obtaining a digital photograph of said object with a first selected background;

(c) obtaining a second digital photograph of said object with a second selected background;

(d) requesting images of said object in said first digital photograph and said second digital photograph;

(e) calculating transparency values for a resulting image utilizing data from said first and second digital photographs; and

(f) generating a composite digital image with transparent regions.

2. A method of electronic photo-compositing according to claim 1, further comprising:

(e) calculating transparency values, which represent a measure for each pixel of a scaled value representative of transmission of light through said object.

3. A method of electronic photo-compositing according to claim 1, further comprising:

(e) calculating color values, which represent a measure for each pixel of a scaled value representative of reflection of light from said object.

4. A method of electronic photo-compositing according to claim 2, wherein said transparency values represent for each pixel an amount of color contribution and an amount of transparency contribution.

5. A method of electronic photo-compositing according to claim 2, wherein said transparency values represent for each pixel an amount of color contribution and an amount of transparency contribution.

6. A method of compositing an image comprising:

(a) providing a first background having a first color for each pixel;

(b) providing a second background having a second color for each pixel which is uniquely different from said first color;

(c) providing an object to be photographed;

(d) obtaining a first digital image of said object against said first background;

(e) obtaining a second digital image of said object against said second background;

(f) wherein said first and second digital images are taken from an exact same viewpoint;

(g) calculating from said first and second digital images an amount of color contribution for each pixel and an amount of transparency contribution for each pixel.

7. A method of compositing an image according to claim 6, further comprising:

(h) utilizing said amount of color contribution and said amount of transparency contribution to generate a composite image.

8. A method of compositing an image comprising:

(a) providing a digital camera;

(b) providing a first background having a first color;

(c) providing a second background a second color which is uniquely different from said first color;

(d) providing an object with at least one transparent portion;

(d) obtaining a first digital image of said object against said first background;

(f) obtaining a second digital image of said object against said second background;

(g) registering said first and second digital images; and

(h) for each pixel of said registered first and second digital images calculating an amount of color contribution and an amount of transparency contribution from said first and second digital images.