The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 12, 2006
Filed:
Jul. 08, 2004
Kazuki Yokoyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Kazuhiko Ueda, Kanagawa, JP;
Mitsuyasu Asano, Tokyo, JP;
Takeshi Kubozono, Kanagawa, JP;
Tetsuji Inada, Tokyo, JP;
Kazuki Yokoyama, Kanagawa, JP;
Kazuhiko Ueda, Kanagawa, JP;
Mitsuyasu Asano, Tokyo, JP;
Takeshi Kubozono, Kanagawa, JP;
Tetsuji Inada, Tokyo, JP;
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An n-filter according to the present invention includes a nonlinear filter, a pattern detector, and a switch. The nonlinear filter maintains a steep edge whose size is larger than a predetermined threshold in fluctuations of pixels constituting an input image signal and, at the same time, smoothes a non-edge portion that does not include the edge. The pattern detector detects a fine edge in the fluctuations of the pixels constituting the input image signal and notifies the switch that the fine edge exists. The switch outputs the input image signal or an image signal output from the nonlinear filter to the subsequent stage in accordance with the notification from the pattern detector.