Patent ID: 6980335
Filing Date: 2005-12-27
Classification: G06T,H04N

Abstract:
1. A color image processing apparatus comprises: input image processing means for executing digital signal conversion processing and shading correction processing for a respective one of RGB three-color image signals obtained by a color image sensor, and for outputting said RGB three-color image signals therefrom; memory means for sequentially storing a respective one of said RGB three-color image signals with every one line thereof (the total number of pixels=N, where N is a natural number) when being outputted from said input image processing means; first operation means arranged to cope with a respective one of said RGB three-color image signals for reading out one line of color image signals stored in said memory means and for performing sequential calculations of a moving average number n, where n is a natural number, of pixels with regard to a notable pixel i that is an i th pixel for 1≦i≦N, where i is a natural number, from a top pixel of said read color image signals by a predetermined numerical formula to thereby output results of said sequential calculations; bit selection means arranged to cope with respective one of said RGB three-color image signals for sequentially selecting said notable pixel i and reference pixels j for i−n≦j≦i+n, where j is a natural number, that are n pixels located before and after said notable pixel i, with said one line of color image signals read out by said first operation means, on the basis of said moving average number n of pixels outputted from said first operation means to thereby output results of said sequential selection; difference means arranged to cope with respective one of said RGB three-color image signals for performing a sequential calculation of an absolute value of a difference between an output level of said notable pixel i and a respective one of output levels of said reference pixels j outputted from said bit selection means to thereby output results of said sequential calculation; threshold storing means for storing a predetermined threshold value; decision means arranged to cope with a respective one of said RGB three-color image signals for sequentially outputting output signals of said notable pixel i, and for comparing the absolute value outputted from said difference means with said threshold value stored in said threshold storing means to thereby sequentially output said output signals of said reference pixels j only when said absolute value of said difference between said output level of said notable pixel i and said output level of said respective one of said reference pixels j is smaller than said threshold value; second operation means arranged to cope with a respective one of said RGB three-color image signals for executing a moving average processing of said output signals of said notable pixel i by using said output signals of said reference pixels j outputted from said decision means, and for sequentially outputting, with every one line, said output signals that are subjected to said moving average processing, in the form of color image signals; and, output image processing means for applying a color transformation processing and an image format transformation processing to said respective one of said RGB three-color image signals outputted from said second operation means to thereby combine said RGB three-color image signals while outputting said combined RGB three-color image signals.