Imagination Technologies Limited

Ruan Lakemond

Timothy Smith

Fabian Angarita

A method of filtering a target pixel in an image forms, for a kernel of pixels comprising the target pixel and its neighbouring pixels, a data model to model pixel values within the kernel; calculates a weight for each pixel of the kernel comprising: (i) a geometric term dependent on a difference in position between that pixel and the target pixel; and (ii) a data term dependent on a difference between a pixel value of that pixel and its predicted pixel value according to the data model; and uses the calculated weights to form a filtered pixel value for the target pixel, e.g. by updating the data model with a weighted regression analysis technique using the calculated weights for the pixels of the kernel; and evaluating the updated data model at the target pixel position so as to form the filtered pixel value for the target pixel.

Bilateral filter with data model

A method of feature matching in images captured from camera viewpoints uses the epipolar geometry of the viewpoints to define a geometrically-constrained region in a second image corresponding to a first feature in a first image; comparing the local descriptor of the first feature with local descriptors of features in the second image to determine respective measures of similarity; identifying, from the features located in the geometrically-constrained region, (i) a geometric best match and (ii) a geometric next-best match to the first feature; identifying a global best match to the first feature; performing a first comparison of the measures of similarity for the geometric best match and the global best match; performing a second comparison of the measures of similarity for the geometric best match and the geometric next-best match; and, if thresholds are met, selecting the geometric best match feature in the second image.

Matching local image feature descriptors in image analysis

A method of processing image data for an image, the image data including colour data expressed in a first colour space, transforms the colour data to a luminance-normalised colour space, and performs one or more image processing operations on the transformed colour data to generate processed image data.

Luminance-normalised colour spaces

Methods and image processing systems are provided for determining a dominant gradient orientation for a target region within an image. A plurality of gradient samples are determined for the target region, wherein each of the gradient samples represents a variation in pixel values within the target region. The gradient samples are converted into double-angle gradient vectors, and the double-angle gradient vectors are combined so as to determine a dominant gradient orientation for the target region.

Double-angle gradients

Image processing methods and systems apply filtering operations to images, wherein the filtering operations use filter costs which are based on image gradients in the images. In this way, image data is filtered for image regions in dependence upon the image gradients for the image regions. This may be useful for different scenarios such as when combining images to form a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image. The filtering operations may be used as part of a connectivity unit which determines connected image regions, and/or the filtering operations may be used as part of a blending unit which blends two or more images together to form a blended image.

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Kings Langley, United Kingdom

Ruan Lakemond