Patent Application
20090220120
The subject application is directed generally to analysis or classification of encoded images and is particularly suited for detection of artistic scenes in electronic images.
Electronic images are created or captured in many ways, such as from digital still cameras, digital motion cameras, digital imaging software, or the like. Skilled photographers create artistic images that have properties specifically chosen for effect. Such effects may include unusual color balances, dominance of one or more hues, or use of limited color spectra. Earlier photographers obtained such effects by strategic placement of lighting, such as with a sunset, use of color filters on lenses, or by a particular environment such as with an underwater shooting. Such effects may also be accomplished with close-ups, sepia, higher speed or lower speed image capturing, diffusion filters, or mood lighting.
With digital images, computational enhancements are frequently made, such as white balancing, color adjustment, and the like. Application of such enhancements is not desirable when artistic images are deliberately created.
In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system and method for analysis or classification of encoded images.
Further in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system and method for detection of artistic scenes in electronic images.
Still further in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a system for artistic scene image detection. The system comprises means adapted for receiving image data encoded in a multi-dimensional color space and means adapted for calculating histogram data from received image data. The system also comprises means adapted for identifying dominant spike regions in calculated histogram data and testing means for testing a calculated N-sum value against a predetermined threshold value. The system further comprises classifying means adapted for classifying received image data as at least one of an artistic scene, a tinted artistic scene, and a sepia tone range artistic scene in accordance with an output of the testing means.
In one embodiment of the subject application, the system further includes means adapted for identifying near achromatic pixels in received image data and means adapted for selectively discarding identified near achromatic pixels prior to calculation of histogram data therefrom.
In another embodiment of the subject application, the system also includes means adapted for receiving input image data and means adapted for converting received input image data into the image data encoded in HSV color space.
In a further embodiment of the subject application, the system also comprises means adapted for down-sizing image data prior to calculation of histogram data therefrom.
Still further, in accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, there is provided a method for artistic scene image detection in accordance with the system as set forth above.
Still other advantages, aspects, and features of the subject application will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of the subject application, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the subject application. As it will be realized, the subject application is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the scope of the subject application. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
The subject application is described with reference to certain figures, including:
The subject application is directed to a system and method for analysis or classification of encoded images. In particular, the subject application is directed to a system and method for detection of artistic scenes in electronic images. It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that the system and method described herein are suitably adapted to a plurality of varying electronic fields employing electronic analysis including, for example and without limitation, communications, general computing, data processing, document processing, or the like. The preferred embodiment, as depicted in
Referring now to
The system 100 also includes a document processing device 104, depicted in
According to one embodiment of the subject application, the document processing device 104 is suitably equipped to receive a plurality of portable storage media including, without limitation, Firewire drive, USB drive, SD, MMC, XD, Compact Flash, Memory Stick, and the like. In the preferred embodiment of the subject application, the document processing device 104 further includes an associated user interface 106, such as a touch-screen, LCD display, touch-panel, alpha-numeric keypad, or the like, via which an associated user is able to interact directly with the document processing device 104. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the subject application, the user interface 106 is advantageously used to communicate information to the associated user and receive selections from the associated user. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the user interface 106 comprises various components suitably adapted to present data to the associated user, as are known in the art. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the user interface 106 comprises a display suitably adapted to display one or more graphical elements, text data, images, or the like to an associated user; receive input from the associated user; and communicate the same to a backend component such as a controller 108, as is explained in greater detail below. Preferably, the document processing device 104 is communicatively coupled to the computer network 102 via a suitable communications link 112. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, suitable communications links include, for example and without limitation, WiMax, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11(x), Bluetooth, the public switched telephone network, a proprietary communications network, infrared, optical, or any other suitable wired or wireless data transmission communications known in the art.
In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the document processing device 104 further incorporates a backend component, designated as the controller 108, suitably adapted to facilitate the operations of the document processing device 104, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Preferably, the controller 108 is embodied as hardware, software, or any suitable combination thereof configured to control the operations of the associated document processing device 104, facilitate the display of images via the user interface 106, direct the manipulation of electronic image data, and the like. For purposes of explanation, the controller 108 is used to refer to any of the myriad components associated with the document processing device 104, including hardware, software, or combinations thereof functioning to perform, cause to be performed, control, or otherwise direct the methodologies described hereinafter. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the methodologies described with respect to the controller 108 are capable of being performed by any general purpose computing system known in the art, and thus the controller 108 is representative of such a general computing device and is intended as such when used hereinafter. Furthermore, the use of the controller 108 hereinafter is for the example embodiment only, and other embodiments, which will be apparent to one skilled in the art, are capable of employing the system and method for artistic scene image detection of the subject application. The functioning of the controller 108 will better be understood in conjunction with the block diagrams illustrated in
Communicatively coupled to the document processing device 104 is a data storage device 110. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the subject application, the data storage device 110 is any mass storage device known in the art including, for example and without limitation, magnetic storage drives, a hard disk drive, optical storage devices, flash memory devices, or any suitable combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the data storage device 110 is suitably adapted to store document data, image data, electronic database data, or the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, while illustrated in
The system 100 illustrated in
Turning now to
Also included in the controller 200 is random access memory 206 suitably formed of dynamic random access memory, static random access memory, or any other suitable, addressable, and writable memory system. Random access memory 206 provides a storage area for data instructions associated with applications and data handling accomplished by the processor 202.
A storage interface 208 suitably provides a mechanism for non-volatile, bulk, or long term storage of data associated with the controller 200. The storage interface 208 suitably uses bulk storage, such as any suitable addressable or serial storage such as a disk, optical, tape drive, and the like, as shown as 216, as well as any suitable storage medium, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
A network interface subsystem 210 suitably routes input and output from an associated network, allowing the controller 200 to communicate to other devices. The network interface subsystem 210 suitably interfaces with one or more connections with external devices to the controller 200. By way of example, illustrated is at least one network interface card 214 for data communication with fixed or wired networks such as Ethernet, token ring, and the like and a wireless interface 218 suitably adapted for wireless communication via means such as WiFi, WiMax, wireless modem, cellular network, or any suitable wireless communication system. It is to be appreciated however, that the network interface subsystem 210 suitably utilizes any physical or non-physical data transfer layer or protocol layer, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. In the illustration, the network interface card 214 is interconnected for data interchange via a physical network 220 suitably comprised of a local area network, wide area network, or a combination thereof.
Data communication between the processor 202, read only memory 204, random access memory 206, storage interface 208, and the network interface subsystem 210 is suitably accomplished via a bus data transfer mechanism, such as illustrated by bus 212.
Also in data communication with the bus 212 is a document processor interface 222. The document processor interface 222 suitably provides connection with hardware 232 to perform one or more document processing operations. Such operations include copying accomplished via copy hardware 224, scanning accomplished via scan hardware 226, printing accomplished via print hardware 228, and facsimile communication accomplished via facsimile hardware 230. It is to be appreciated that the controller 200 suitably operates any or all of the aforementioned document processing operations. Systems accomplishing more than one document processing operation are commonly referred to as multifunction peripherals or multifunction devices.
Functionality of the subject system 100 is accomplished on a suitable document processing device, such as the document processing device 104, which includes the controller 200 of
In the preferred embodiment, the engine 302 allows for printing operations, copy operations, facsimile operations and scanning operations. This functionality is frequently associated with multi-function peripherals, which have become a document processing peripheral of choice in the industry. It will be appreciated, however, that the subject controller does not have to have all such capabilities. Controllers are also advantageously employed in dedicated or more limited-purpose document processing devices that can perform one or more of the document processing operations listed above.
The engine 302 is suitably interfaced to a user interface panel 310, which panel 310 allows for a user or administrator to access functionality controlled by the engine 302. Access is suitably enabled via an interface local to the controller or remotely via a remote thin or thick client.
The engine 302 is in data communication with print function 304, facsimile function 306, and scan function 308. These functions facilitate the actual operation of printing, facsimile transmission and reception, and document scanning for use in securing document images for copying or generating electronic versions.
A job queue 312 is suitably in data communication with the print function 304, facsimile function 306, and scan function 308. It will be appreciated that various image forms, such as bit map, page description language or vector format, and the like, are suitably relayed from the scan function 308 for subsequent handling via the job queue 312.
The job queue 312 is also in data communication with network services 314. In a preferred embodiment, job control, status data, or electronic document data is exchanged between the job queue 312 and the network services 314. Thus, a suitable interface is provided for network-based access to the controller function 300 via client side network services 320, which is any suitable thin or thick client. In the preferred embodiment, the web services access is suitably accomplished via a hypertext transfer protocol, file transfer protocol, uniform data diagram protocol, or any other suitable exchange mechanism. The network services 314 also advantageously supplies data interchange with client side services 320 for communication via FTP, electronic mail, TELNET, or the like. Thus, the controller function 300 facilitates output or receipt of electronic document and user information via various network access mechanisms.
The job queue 312 is also advantageously placed in data communication with an image processor 316. The image processor 316 is suitably a raster image process, page description language interpreter, or any suitable mechanism for interchange of an electronic document to a format better suited for interchange with device functions such as print 304, facsimile 306, or scan 308.
Finally, the job queue 312 is in data communication with a job parser 318, which job parser 318 suitably functions to receive print job language files from an external device, such as client device services 322. The client device services 322 suitably include printing, facsimile transmission, or other suitable input of an electronic document for which handling by the controller function 300 is advantageous. The job parser 318 functions to interpret a received electronic document file and relay it to the job queue 312 for handling in connection with the afore-described functionality and components.
In operation, image data encoded in a multi-dimensional color space is first received. Histogram data is then calculated from the received image data. Dominant spike regions in the calculated histogram data are then identified, and an N-sum value of the identified spike regions is calculated. A calculated N-sum value is then tested against a predetermined threshold value. Received image data is then classified as an artistic scene, a tinted artistic scene, or a sepia tone range artistic scene, in accordance with an output of the testing of the calculated N-sum value against the predetermined threshold value.
In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, input image data is received by the controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, any suitable device capable of performing image processing operations is capable of being used in accordance with the implementation of the subject application described herein. The skilled artisan will further appreciate that the receipt of input image data corresponds to image data communicated via the computer network 102, generated via operations of the document processing device 104, retrieved from a suitable storage device, or the like. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the image data is capable of being received in a variety of image formats, e.g., JPEG, TIFF, RAW, PDF, BMP, GIF, or the like. According to one embodiment of the subject application, the image data is suitably encoded in a multi-dimensional color space such as, for example and without limitation, RGB, CMYK, CIE L*a*b*, YCbCr, YIQ, HSV, xyY, u′v′Y, L*u*v*, or the like.
The controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like then down-sizes the received image data upon a determination that the image data as received would require substantial resources on the part of the processing device, e.g., the controller 108, the user device 114, etc. That is, the received input image data represents a substantially large image file, which would use a high percentage of available processing resources. The skilled artisan will appreciate that such down-sizing of image data corresponds, for example and without limitation, to the “blurring” and/or “down-sampling” of the received input image data or other reduction in the total number of pixels in an image, as will be known in the art. In addition, when the received input image data is not in a desirable format, i.e., the image data is not in HSV (hue, saturation, value (brightness)) color space, the controller 108 or other component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like then converts the received image data into HSV encoded image data.
Near achromatic pixels in the received input image data are then identified in accordance with the system and method described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/037,711, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that near achromatic pixels correspond to those pixels in an image having no color (achromatic) or those pixels that are almost achromatic. The near achromatic pixels identified by the controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like are then selectively discarded in accordance with the subject application. Histogram data is then calculated from the received image data following the discarding of the selected near achromatic pixels. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the histogram data corresponds to a normalized histogram in hue with the selected near achromatic pixels discarded.
The skilled artisan will appreciate that, typically, one class of artistic scenes has a characteristic of color (hue) concentrations, i.e., the scene includes the presence of one or two dominant colors. Such presence is capable of being detected, as discussed in greater detail below, via a normalized hue histogram that is generated from a received input image.
From the calculated histogram data, the dominant spike regions are then identified. An N-sum value of the identified spikes of the histogram data is then calculated. Use and calculation of the N-sum value is explained in greater detail with respect to
The foregoing will be better understood in conjunction with the example illustrations of
The input image is then, after blurring and/or down-sampling, converted to HSV (hue, saturation, value (brightness)) color space. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the input image is capable of being received in HSV color space; however, typically input image data is received in RGB or CMYK color space, thus requiring conversion to HSV color space. The histogram of the image is then calculated in hue and normalized by the total number of pixels associated with the received input image. The skilled artisan will appreciate that the hue angle in HSV is capable of being complicated when the hue angles wrap around or the hue angles are considered as noise when the pixels are achromatic or almost achromatic.
The near achromatic pixels of the input image are then identified and selectively removed.
The dominant spike or peak regions of the normalized histogram in hue, with near achromatic pixels discarded, are then identified.
The skilled artisan will appreciate that some input images are capable of including more than a single spike or peak region.
In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the identification of more than one spike or peak region is accomplished via locating of all significant spikes in the image, e.g., the associated normalized histogram in hue of the image. For example, searching for all i values such that H[i−1]<H[i]>H[i+1] and H[i]>Th where Th is a pre-determined threshold value, then locating the tallest and the second tallest spikes, Hmax=H(Imax) and Hmax2=H(Imax2), and then calculating the combined N-Sum, i.e., the sum of the N-Sum's at Imax and Imax2. Thus, if the combined N-Sum>Th′ for some threshold Th′, then the input image is classified as an artistic scene, where N is capable of equating to 3, 5, 7, or the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, when searching for the tallest and second tallest spikes, the fact that the array H[i] wraps around must be taken into account. Furthermore, the skilled artisan will understand that attention is required to remove redundancy in the calculation of the combined N-Sum when the N-Sums of the tallest and second tallest spikes overlap, such as is illustrated in the histogram 904 of
The skilled artisan will appreciate that the subject system 100 and components described above with respect to
At step 1404, histogram data is calculated from the received image data. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the histogram data is normalized by the number of pixels, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The dominant spike regions of the calculated histogram data are then identified at step 1406 by the controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like. An N-sum value of the identified dominant spike regions is then calculated at step 1408. The calculated N-sum value of the identified spike regions is then tested at step 1410 against a predetermined threshold value. Suitable examples of such a predetermined threshold value are discussed in greater detail above. The controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like then classifies the received image data at step 1412 as an artistic scene, a tinted artistic scene, or a sepia tone range artistic scene in accordance with the output of the testing performed at step 1410.
Referring now to
A determination is then made at step 1504 whether down-sizing of the received input image data is required. The skilled artisan will appreciate that such a determination is made by the controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like, based upon the computational costs associated with processing the received input image in accordance with the subject methodology of
Following down-sizing of the received image data or upon a determination that no down-sizing is required, flow progresses to step 1508. At step 1508, a determination is made by the controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like as to whether the received input image data requires conversion to HSV (hue, saturation, value (brightness)) color space. The skilled artisan will appreciate that, while the image data is capable of being received encoded in HSV color space, typical digital images are received in RGB or CMYK color space and, thus, require conversion in accordance with the subject application. Thus, when conversion is determined to be required, flow proceeds to step 1510, whereupon the received input image data is converted to image data encoded in HSV color space.
Once HSV encoded image data has been obtained, operations proceed to step 1512, whereupon near achromatic pixels in the received input image data are identified. The identified near achromatic pixels are then selectively discarded by the controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like at step 1514. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that near achromatic pixels correspond to those pixels in an image having no color (achromatic) or those pixels that are almost achromatic. The identification and selective discarding of such near achromatic pixels are more adequately described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 12/037,711, as referenced above.
At step 1516, histogram data is calculated from the image data encoded in HSV color space. In accordance with one embodiment of the subject application, the histogram data is normalized in hue based upon the total number of pixels with all near achromatic pixels discarded. Dominant spike or peak regions are then identified from the calculated histogram data at step 1518. The 7-Sum value of identified spikes or peaks in the histogram data is then calculated by the controller 108 or other suitable component associated with the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like at step 1520. The use and calculation of the 7-Sum values associated with various spikes in the histogram data is addressed in greater detail above with respect to
At step 1522, the combined 7-Sum for the received image is then calculated at Imax and Imax2. The calculated combined 7-Sum value is then tested at step 1524 against a predetermined threshold value Th. In accordance with one example embodiment, the threshold values are optimized for automatic white balance and white stretch, i.e. fine-tuned in accordance with selected applications, such that the threshold value Th is 0.998, the threshold value Th′ is 0.9, and the threshold value Th″ is 0.5. A determination is then made at step 1526 as to whether the combined 7-Sum value falls within a pre-determined range of the threshold value, i.e. whether the combined 7-Sum value is greater than or equal to the threshold value Th. When the combined 7-Sum value is greater than or equal to the threshold value Th, flow proceeds to step 1528, whereupon the received input image is classified as a tinted artistic scene image. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that no automatic image correction is undertaken on the image by the associated controller 108 or other suitable component of the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like. Upon a determination at step 1526 that the calculated combined 7-sum value is not greater than or equal to the threshold value Th, flow proceeds to step 1530. At step 1530, a determination is made as to whether the combined 7-sum value is greater than a threshold value Th′, or whether the Imax value is greater than or equal to 1 but less than or equal to 18 (sepia (skin) tone range) and the combined 7-sum value is greater than a threshold value Th″. Upon a negative determination at step 1530, flow proceeds to step 1534, whereupon the received image is classified as a non-artistic scene, resulting in the performance of any suitable automatic image correction applicable to the received image data by the associated component of the document processing device 104, the user device 114, or the like. Upon a positive determination at step 1530, flow proceeds to step 1532, whereupon the received image data is classified as an artistic scene and, thus, no automatic image correction is undertaken on the received image by the user device 114, the controller 108, or other such component associated with the document processing device 104.
The subject application extends to computer programs in the form of source code, object code, code intermediate sources and partially compiled object code, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the subject application. Computer programs are suitably standalone applications, software components, scripts, or plug-ins to other applications. Computer programs embedding the subject application are advantageously embodied on a carrier, being any entity or device capable of carrying the computer program: for example, a storage medium such as ROM or RAM; optical recording media such as CD-ROM or magnetic recording media such as floppy discs; or any transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal conveyed by electrical or optical cable, radio, or other means. Computer programs are suitably downloaded across the Internet from a server. Computer programs are also capable of being embedded in an integrated circuit. Any and all such embodiments containing code that will cause a computer to perform substantially the subject application principles as described will fall within the scope of the subject application.
The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the subject application has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject application to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the subject application and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to use the subject application in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the subject application as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
