Patent ID: 7376264
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a plurality of source images to provide a composite image suitable for rendering as a rendered composite image, comprising the steps of: receiving the plurality of source images; and encoding the plurality of source images to thereby provide the composite image, the plural source images including at least a first source image that is encoded so as to be a background image for which a respective level of visual discernment in the rendered composite image is substantially unchanged, relative to an associated media color, between a first mode of illumination and a second mode of illumination, a second source image that is encoded so as to be a narrow band image for which a respective level of visual discernment in the rendered composite image substantially increases, relative to the associated media color, between the first and second modes of illumination, and a third source image that is encoded so as to be a second narrow band image for which a respective level of visual discernment in the rendered composite image substantially increases, relative to the associated media color, between one of the first and second modes of illumination and a third mode of illumination, the levels of visual discernment being obtainable by an observer while directly viewing the rendered composite image; wherein the encoding includes mapping of source image values at pixel locations in the source images to colorant control values at respective pixel locations in a spectrally-multiplexed image plane, and the colorant control values specify an amount of each one of a plurality of M colorants to be deposited at corresponding locations in the rendered composite image; and wherein said first, second and third modes of illumination employ respectively differing first, second and third spectral power distributions and the mapping of the source image values is determined so as to achieve a corresponding plurality of spatial luminance distributions in the rendered composite image in response to said first, second and third modes of illumination.