Showing papers on "Alpha compositing published in 2011"

Blurred image region detection and classification

Abstract: Many digital images contain blurred regions which are caused by motion or defocus. Automatic detection and classification of blurred image regions are very important for different multimedia analyzing tasks. This paper presents a simple and effective automatic image blurred region detection and classification technique. In the proposed technique, blurred image regions are first detected by examining singular value information for each image pixels. The blur types (i.e. motion blur or defocus blur) are then determined based on certain alpha channel constraint that requires neither image deblurring nor blur kernel estimation. Extensive experiments have been conducted over a dataset that consists of 200 blurred image regions and 200 image regions with no blur that are extracted from 100 digital images. Experimental results show that the proposed technique detects and classifies the two types of image blurs accurately. The proposed technique can be used in many different multimedia analysis applications such as image segmentation, depth estimation and information retrieval.

Stratified sampling for stochastic transparency

Abstract: The traditional method of rendering semi-transparent surfaces using alpha blending requires sorting the surfaces in depth order. There are several techniques for order-independent transparency, but most require either unbounded storage or can be fragile due to forced compaction of information during rendering. Stochastic transparency works in a fixed amount of storage and produces results with the correct expected value. However, carelessly chosen sampling strategies easily result in high variance of the final pixel colors, showing as noise in the image. In this paper, we describe a series of improvements to stochastic transparency that enable stratified sampling in both spatial and alpha domains. As a result, the amount of noise in the image is significantly reduced, while the result remains unbiased.

Image compositing device, image compositing method, image compositing program, and recording medium

Abstract: A device is provided that generates a composite image using a first image and a second image having different exposure conditions. The device includes an image input unit, a likelihood calculating unit, an exposure estimating unit, and a compositing unit. The image input unit inputs the first image and the second image. The likelihood calculating unit calculates a subject motion likelihood at each pixel based on a difference between the first image and the second image. The exposure estimating unit estimates an exposure transform function that conforms the exposure conditions of the first image and the second image to each other based on the subject motion likelihood. The compositing unit composites the first image and the second image by using the exposure transform function.

3d video processing unit

Abstract: The 3D video processing unit combines video feeds from two unsynchronized video sources, such as left and right video cameras, in real-time, to generate a 3D image for display on a video monitor. The processing unit can also optionally receive video data from a third video source and use that data to generate a background image visible on all or a selected portion or portions of the video monitor. An alpha data generator inspects the video data held within respective buffer circuits associated with the left and right channels and generates an alpha data value for each pixel. These alpha data values are used within an alpha blending mixer to control whether a pixel is displayed or suppressed. Synchronization of the unsynchronized video sources occurs within the processing unit after alpha data values have been generated for each left and right channels.

Fast zero recovery with alpha blending in gyroscopic image stabilization

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing fast zero recovery with alpha blending with digital image stabilization implemented in a digital camera. The digital camera includes a gyroscope to measure motion of the digital camera and processes the signals from the gyroscope to track the total displacement of an image sensor over a series of frames of video. If the motion is a sustained motion in a substantially uniform direction, then the digital camera recognizes the motion as a panning-type motion and activates a fast-zero recovery with alpha blending operation to retrace the displacement of active pixel locations to the center of the image sensor. Alpha blending is performed to smooth the transition from a normal image stabilization operation to the fast-zero recovery with alpha blending operation.

Rendering multi-layered image

Abstract: A multi-layered image may be rasterized onto a background by considering each layer in the image from front to back The alpha channel of a background buffer is cleared, so that it may act as an accumulator of total consumed opacity Each image layer, from front to back, is then considered For each layer, the layer's alpha value is multiplied by the complement of the alpha channel's current value, and the product is added to the background alpha channel The background alpha channel is then multiplied by a global alpha value The background color values are then pre-darkened by the complement of the resulting background alpha channel value The background alpha channel is then cleared again, and the layers are rasterized and added, from front to back, onto the pre-darkened background, this time taking into consideration the per- layer color values

Imaging apparatus, integrated circuit, and image processing method

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an imaging element, an image selection unit, and an image compositing unit. The image selection unit selects, from among a plurality of image data pieces of the image data generated by the imaging element, a first image data piece and a second image data piece. The image selection unit selects, as the second image data piece, an image data piece generated with light from an object that is received via first pixels of the imaging element and received via second pixels of the imaging element for generating the first image data piece. The image compositing unit generates composited image data by compositing the first image data piece and the second image data piece.

The Color Calibration across Multi-Projector Display

Abstract: Large plane displays are often achieved by combining tiled imaging elements, which give the appearance of a single, seamless display. However, this is difficult to realize in practical use, since differences in color will make the tiles dis-tinct even if the geometric calibration is perfect. The paper presents an approach of color calibration using cubic B- spline. According to the theory of cubic B-spline, we construct the color transfer function of each projector. This ap-proach reduces the color and photometric non-uniformities to achieve seamless tiled multi-projector display well. Finally, we propose the difference between blending region and overlapping region which can help to achieve a better effect of alpha blending.

Image processing apparatus that can output copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, method for controlling image processing apparatus, program, and storage medium

Abstract: An apparatus includes an original-document-attribute determining unit that determines attribute of an original document image, a form-attribute determining unit that determines attribute of a form image, and a compositing unit that performs sequence of compositing of the original document image, a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image, and the form image, the sequence of compositing being determined based on the determined attribute of the original document image and the determined attribute of the form image.

Raster graphics image transcoding for file size reduction

Abstract: Described is a technology by which a raster graphics image file (e.g., a PNG) containing pixels having color component data and alpha channel data (e.g., RGBA data) is transcoded into a smaller Palette Indexed format with non-noticeable and/or virtually no loss. Hextrees are used to represent the pixels of the image, such as one hextree for each subset (segment) of the image's pixels, where alpha channel data distribution may be used to determine each segment. A palette containing sets of alpha and color values is generated from the hextrees, with the transcoded image data provided by representing the pixel data as indexes to the palette.

Video processing device

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a video processing device capable of appropriately executing a wide variety of rendering using alpha blending. SOLUTION: The video processing device includes a sprite rendering processor 110 that performs: first rendering of allowing designated sprite image data to be reflected in the stored contents of a rendering line buffer; and a second rendering of allowing a designated alpha table to be reflected in the stored contents of an alpha buffer 106. The first rendering is performed via alpha blending on: image data of sprites as an object to be rendered; rendering-destination image data of the rendering line buffer; and alpha data corresponding to the rendering-destination image data of the alpha data in the alpha buffer 106, thus producing resultant image data of alpha blending, which is written over the rendering-destination image data. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Projector and display adjustment method of the projector

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for simply displaying one screen using a plurality of projectors at a low cost. SOLUTION: The capture part 26 of a projector 10 receives and captures a blending area and a blending amount as a mask image from a PC by a video signal. Luminance data of the captured mask image is converted to a gain. When using a video wall function, the video adjustment part 23 of the projector 10 uses an alpha blending function to reflect the gain obtained from the mask image, on a projected video. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

A covert communication method via PNG images based on the information sharing technique

Abstract: A covert communication method via PNG images based on the information sharing technique is proposed. In the method, a secret message is transformed into secret shares which are then embedded into the alpha channel of a cover image of the PNG format. By mapping the computed share values of the alpha channel into suitable ranges to yield a nearly uniformly and transparent stego-image. The R, G, and B channels of the steo-image are untouched in the process of message embedding so that the original appearance revealed by the color information of these three channels is kept, achieving the desired effect of steganography for covert communication.

Accelerating Image Processing in Flash using SIMD Standard Operations

Abstract: Flash applications have played an integral role in shaping the interactivity of the Internet. Desktop Flash applications feature vector-based processing such as image and video processing to enhance the user experience. In response to these needs, Adobe has added graphics card based acceleration for vector processing in Flash applications starting with Flash Player 10. This solution is limited to computer systems that have the proper graphics card. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of making explicit use of Single Instruction Multiple Data instructions, specifically SSE in the Intel x86-64 platforms, to accelerate vector operations in a Flash application. We also discuss certain limitations of the Flash virtual machine. The data reveals that a 90-92% speedup can be achieved by using SSE instructions to accelerate the alpha blending image processing algorithm in a Flash application. The SSE instructions are accessed by providing a standardized limited native interface to the Flash application.

Method for producing moving picture of composite user image

Abstract: PURPOSE: A method for producing a moving picture of composite user image is provided to increase a learning effect and an entertainment effect by enabling a user to be a main character of the moving picture. CONSTITUTION: A method for producing a moving picture comprises steps of: preparing a user image(S10); making a composite object layer(S20); adjusting a size and a position of the composite object corresponding to the composite area of the moving picture(S30); making a composite layer using a mask layer including an alpha channel(S40); and producing a customized moving picture by combining the composite layer and the moving picture(S50).

Electronic album generating apparatus, stereoscopic image pasting apparatus, and methods and programs for controlling operation of same

Abstract: Viewing of stereoscopic images is facilitated for every page of an electronic album. A page constituting an electronic album is selected. A stereoscopic image is then selected and the selected stereoscopic image is pasted in an image compositing area. An amount of parallax has been defined for the image compositing area, and the amount of parallax of the image compositing area in which the stereoscopic image has been pasted is read. The amount of parallax of the stereoscopic image is changed to that of the image compositing area.

Printing control program, information processor, and recording medium

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print an appropriate alpha-blended image even with a printer not supporting alpha blending processing by appropriately performing alpha blending processing on the printer driver side.SOLUTION: A printing control program causes a computer to execute: a drawing reception step of receiving a page start instruction and drawing instructions from an OS; a generation step of generating a bit map in response to reception of the page start instruction; a transmission processing step of, if the drawing instructions include an alpha channel image, drawing the alpha channel image on the bit map by alpha blending to duplicate alpha-blended transparent areas when drawing an image on the bit map in accordance with the drawing instructions; and a drawing processing step of converting drawing instructions for the alpha channel image to printing commands for drawing the transparent areas when converting the drawing instructions to printing commands.