Multiple image harmonization system

• US 6,879,728 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 04/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Fisher, Clay Harvey, Manowitz, Neal Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehta, Bhavesh M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kassa, Yosef
• Application Number:
  US09/718,980
• Time in Patent Office: 1,603 Days
• Field of Search: 382/167, 382/274, 382/275, 382/284, 382/294, 382/299, 382/151, 382/171, 382/190, 382/282, 382/287, 382/291, 382/293, 382/295, 358/1.2, 358/3.26, 358/3.27, 358/518, 358/519, 358/520, 358/537, 358/538, 358/540, 358/450, 348/584, 348/598
• US Class Current: 382/254
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20004 Adaptive image processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/50 using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction

Abstract

A computer system and computerized method of harmonizing a plurality of images is disclosed. First a plurality of images are selected. Next, a plurality of characteristics of each one of the plurality of images are evaluated. Then, at least one of the plurality of characteristics is selected to harmonize and the selected characteristic is harmonized in at least one of the plurality of images. Finally, the harmonized image or images are output.

Claims

1. A computerized method comprising:

receiving a plurality of images;

evaluating a plurality of characteristics of each one of the plurality of images;

receiving a selection of at least one of the plurality of characteristics;

harmonizing the selected at least one of the plurality of characteristics in at least one of the plurality of images; and

outputting the plurality of images including the harmonized at least one of the plurality of images,

wherein harmonizing the selected characteristic in at least one of the plurality of images includes;

determining a best compromise of the selected characteristic;

creating a transform for each one of the plurality of images;

adjusting the selected characteristic in each of the transforms; and

applying each one of the adjusted transforms to the at least one of the plurality of images.

2. The computerized method as recited in claim 1, wherein the characteristics of each one of the plurality of images include at least one of a group consisting of color balance, sharpness, histogram differences, white balance, resolution, size, color noise, brightness, digital artifacts and analog artifacts, contrast and luminosity.

3. The computerized method as recited in claim 1, wherein the best compromise includes one of a group consisting of:

an average value of the selected characteristic;

a minimum value of the selected characteristic; and

a maximum value of the selected characteristic.

4. The computerized method as recited in claim 1, wherein the best compromise includes a selected level of the selected characteristic.

5. The computerized method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of images received from at least one of a group of sources consisting of:

an electronic imaging device;

a video camera;

a digital camera;

a scanner; and

a database of image data stored on computer readable media.

6. The computerized method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining compensation from a user for harmonizing a plurality of images.

7. The computerized method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an advertisement to a user.

8. A computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions to cause a computer to perform a method comprising:

receiving a plurality of images;

evaluating a plurality of characteristics of each one of the plurality of images;

receiving a selection of at least one of the plurality of characteristics;

harmonizing the selected characteristic in at least one of the plurality of images; and

outputting the plurality of images including the harmonized at least one of the plurality of images,

wherein harmonizing the selected characteristic in at least one of the plurality of images includes;

determining a best compromise of the selected characteristic;

creating a transform for each one of the plurality of images;

adjusting the selected characteristic in each of the transforms; and

applying each one of the adjusted transforms to the at least one of the plurality of images.

9. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 8, wherein the characteristics of each one of the plurality of images include at least one of a group consisting of color balance, sharpness, histogram differences, white balance, resolution, size, color noise, brightness, digital artifacts and analog artifacts, contrast and luminosity.

10. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 8, wherein the best compromise includes one of a group consisting of:

an average value of the selected characteristic;

a minimum value of the selected characteristic; and

a maximum value of the selected characteristic.

11. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 8, wherein the best compromise includes a selected level of the selected characteristic.

12. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of images received from at least one of a group of sources consisting of:

an electronic imaging device;

a video camera;

a digital camera;

a scanner; and

a database of image data stored on computer readable media.

13. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

obtaining compensation from a user for harmonizing a plurality of images.

14. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

displaying an advertisement to a user.

15. A automatic image harmonizing system comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor through a bus;

an input and output device coupled to the bus;

an image harmonizing module executed by the processor to cause the processor to receive a plurality of images, evaluate a plurality of characteristics of each one of the plurality of images, receive a selection of at least one of the plurality of characteristics, harmonize the selected characteristic in at least one of the plurality of images, and output the plurality of images including the at least one of the plurality of images,

wherein harmonize the selected characteristic in at least one of the plurality of images includes;

determine a best compromise of the selected characteristic;

create a transform for each one of the plurality of images;

adjust the selected characteristic in each of the transforms; and

apply each one of the adjusted transforms to the at least one of the plurality of images.

16. The automatic image harmonizing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the characteristics of each one of the plurality of images include at least one of a group consisting of color balance, sharpness, histogram differences, white balance, resolution, size, color noise, brightness, digital artifacts and analog artifacts, contrast and luminosity.

17. The automatic image harmonizing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the best compromise includes one of a group consisting of:

an average value of the selected characteristic;

a minimum value of the selected characteristic; and

a maximum value of the selected characteristic.

18. The automatic image harmonizing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the best compromise includes a selected level of the selected characteristic.

19. The automatic image harmonizing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the plurality of images received from at least one of a group of sources consisting of:

an electronic imaging device;

a video camera;

a digital camera;

a scanner; and

a database of image data stored on computer readable media.

20. The automatic image harmonizing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the image harmonizing module further causes the processor to display an advertisement to a user.

21. The automatic image harmonizing system as recited in claim 15, wherein the input and output device is coupled to an electronic network.