Digital image processing system and method for emphasizing a main subject of an image
DCFirst Claim
1. A computer method for modifying an image having a main subject and a background pixels, comprising the steps of:
- automatically identifying the main subject of the image, andautomatically altering pixel values of said image to emphasize said main subject, said altering following said identifying;
said altering follows any and all identifying of said main subject and wherein said identifying further comprises;
segmenting said image into a plurality of regions; and
generating a plurality of belief values, each said belief value being associated with one of a plurality of regions of the image, said belief values each being related to the probability that the associated region is a main subject of the image, to provide a main subject belief map.
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Abstract
A system and method for automatically altering an image having pixels is disclosed. An image is segmented into regions and various features of the regions are extracted and used to calculate a confidence factor, or belief value, that a particular region is a main subject of the image. The belief values are assembled into a belief map that is used to define how pixel values are to be altered. Various color and appearance values of the pixel are altered in a predetermined way to emphasize the main subject of the image. The emphasis is applied in a binary fashion or as in a gradient of values. Either the main subject can be emphasized, or the secondary or background subjects can be de-emphasized. The system can be implement on a variety of computer systems.
46 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A computer method for modifying an image having a main subject and a background pixels, comprising the steps of:
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automatically identifying the main subject of the image, and automatically altering pixel values of said image to emphasize said main subject, said altering following said identifying; said altering follows any and all identifying of said main subject and wherein said identifying further comprises;
segmenting said image into a plurality of regions; and
generating a plurality of belief values, each said belief value being associated with one of a plurality of regions of the image, said belief values each being related to the probability that the associated region is a main subject of the image, to provide a main subject belief map. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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13. A system for modifying an image having a main subject and a background pixels, comprising the steps of:
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means for automatically identifying the main subject of the image, and means for automatically altering pixel values of said image to emphasize said main subject, said altering following said identifying;
said altering following any and all identifying of said main subject and wherein said means for identifying further comprises;
segmenting said image into a plurality of regions; and
generating a plurality of belief values, each said belief value being associated with one of a plurality of regions of the image, said belief values each being related to the probability that the associated region is a main subject of the image, to provide a main subject belief map.
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14. A computer method of modifying an image having a main subject and a background pixels, comprising the steps of:
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automatically generating one or more belief values, each said belief value being associated with one of a plurality of regions of the image, said belief values each being related to the probability that the associated region is the main subject of the image; following said generating, automatically altering pixel values in said plurality of regions of said image, in accordance with said associated belief values; and said altering follows all said generating. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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23. A digital image modification method for use on an input digital image having a main subject and a background pixels to produce an output image, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a user selection of one of a plurality of different types of emphasizing to provide a selected emphasis; identifying the main subject and the background in the input digital image; altering pixel values of said input digital image, in accordance with said selected emphasis, to provide the output image wherein said main subject is emphasized; wherein said identifying and altering steps are without manual intervention and wherein said identifying further comprises;
segmenting said image into a plurality of regions; and
generating a plurality of belief values, each said belief value being associated with one of a plurality of regions of the image, said belief values each being related to the probability that the associated region is a main subject of the image, to provide a main subject belief map. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A digital image modification method for use on an input digital image having a main subject and a background pixels in a computer system to produce an output image, the method comprising the steps of:
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segmenting the input digital image into a plurality of regions, said regions each being homogeneous; computing the main subject belief map of said regions, said map defining a main subject in said input digital image; then, altering pixel values in said input digital image, in accordance with said map, to provide the output image wherein said main subject is emphasized; and next, delivering said output image to an output device; wherein said steps are without manual intervention and wherein said computing further comprises;
generating a plurality of belief values, each said belief value being associated with one of a plurality of regions of the image, said belief values each being related to the probability that the associated region is a main subject of the image, to provide a main subject belief map. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification