Randomized superpixels to enhance multilevel image quality in economical, fast incremental-printing error diffusion
US7031021B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 18, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N1/52
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
While powerful in diffusion at one resolution to print photos at a finer resolution, the invention is not thus limited. It defines superpixels (“spels”) for each desired colorimetric level, generates/receives image data, renders by finding levels for image positions, and prints an image using selected spels. One invention aspect finds a randomized value at each found level and uses the value to select the spel from plural ones for each level. Another aspect derives/maintains a randomized-value matrix; and maps a matrix location to an image position, to select a random value at that location and spel for that position. Another uses the value in common for all planes to select a spel for each plane at the found level—compatible spels for different planes, to coordinate color placement in planes. Another controls defining/selecting for a blue-noise property of spels in aggregate. In another, spels defined for a level vary in value to yield nonintegral color quanta. Preferences: Rendering is 1D per color, plus a dummy dimension holding the value (a least-significant bit from rendering, in a color dimension but decorrelated from levels)—and derives/maintains the matrix, derived/correcte…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.