WO2001020898A1 - Method and system for altering defects in a digital image - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the invention is a method for altering defects in a digital image. At least a first pixel of a first channel of a digital image is filtered using digital circuitry to produce a filtered pixel by averaging the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel. At least one of the pixels is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in a defect channel associated with the digital image. A corrected digital image is produced using the digital circuitry in response to the filtered pixel and the first channel of the digital image.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALTERING DEFECTS IN A DIGITAL IMAGE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to image processing and more particularly to a method and system for altering defects in a digital image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tangible images, such as photographic images, may have surface defects such as scratches, fingerprints, or dust particles. Such defects may occur, in the case of photographic images, in a transparency or negative as well as in a photographic print of a transparency or negative. Such defects often undesirably degrade a photographic image.

In the field of image processing, digital images derived from photographic images using a scanner most often include the defects present in the underlying photographic image. Because digital images are subject to mathematical manipulation, if image defects may be identified and distinguished from image detail, then those defects can be removed, either partially or completely. A defect channel comprising a digital signal proportional to the defects in a photographic image may be created by scanning the photographic image using an infrared light source and an infrared light sensor. Infrared light will tend to pass through developed photographic film with nearly complete transmission because the dye in various layers of the photographic film does not fully absorb infrared light. On the other hand, where defects are present, a portion of the infrared light will tend to be refracted from the optical path before passing through the film. Thus, defects in the photographic image will tend to show up in a defect channel produced using an infrared light source and infrared sensor. In reflective scanners, a defect channel may be obtained by examining the difference between images obtained when the image being scanned is illuminated by light sources at different angles. The challenge is to use the defect channel to automatically alter defects in a digital image, while making as few undesirable changes to the digital image as possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a method for altering defects in a digital image. At least a first pixel of a first channel of a digital image is filtered using digital circuitry to produce a filtered pixel by averaging the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel . At least one of the pixels is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in a defect channel associated with the digital image. A corrected digital image is produced using the digital circuitry in response to the filtered pixel and the first channel of the digital image.

The invention has several important technical advantages. Various embodiments of the invention may have none, one, some, or all of these advantages without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention allows automatic alteration of defects in a digital image based upon a defect channel having a signal proportional to defects in the digital image. The invention allows such alteration in the image substantially with little or no damage to the underlying image. Because the invention filters pixels of the digital image with pixels weighted based upon the expected reliability of each pixel, areas of strong defect are more easily excised without causing significant damage to the area surrounding the defect. Thus, for reasonably sized defects, the invention may automatically alter defects in a way that will most often produce a more pleasing image than the original image that included the defect. The desirability of the resulting image may depend upon the size of the defect and the amount of valid image information remaining in the digital image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a block diagram of a general purpose computer that may be used in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an example of a scanner that comprises an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 illustrates a flow chart describing the alteration of a defect in a digital image in accordance with one method of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 illustrates a flow chart describing adjustment of an image in response to weighted averages produced by filtering an image in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 5 illustrates a flow chart describing a second method of altering defects in a digital image in accordance with the present invention; and FIGURE 6 illustrates a graph of an example weighting function that may be used with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to FIGURES 1-5 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a general purpose computer 10 that may be used for image enhancement in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, general purpose computer 10 may comprise a portion of a digital image processing system and may be used to execute applications comprising image enhancement software. General purpose computer 10 may be adapted to execute any of the well known MS-DOS, PC-DOS, OS2, UNIX, MAC-OS and Windows operating systems or other operating system. General purpose computer 10 comprises processor 12, random access memory (RAM) 14, read only memory (ROM) 16, mouse 18, keyboard 20, and input/output devices such as printer 24, disk drives 22, display 26 and communications link 28. The present invention includes programs that may be stored in RAM 14, ROM 16, or disk drives 22 and may be executed by processor 12. Communications link 28 is connected to a computer network but could be connected to a telephone line, an antenna, a gateway, or any other type of communication link. Disk drive 22 may include a variety of types of storage media such as, for example, floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, CD ROM drives, or magnetic tape drives. Although this embodiment employs a plurality of disk drives 22, a single disk drive 22 could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. FIGURE 1 only provides one example of a computer that may be used with the invention. The invention could be used with computers other than general purpose computers as well as general purpose computers without conventional operating systems. General purpose computer 10 further comprises scanner 30 that may be used to scan images that are to be enhanced in accordance with the teachings of the invention. In this embodiment, enhancement may be performed by software stored and executed by scanner 30 with the results stored in a storage medium comprising a part of scanner 30 and/or in any of the storage devices of general purpose computer 10. Alternatively, software for image enhancement may be stored in any of the storage media associated with general purpose computer 10 and may be executed by processor 12 to enhance images scanned by scanner 30. In addition, image enhancement could occur both internally within scanner 30 and in general purpose computer 10 without departing from the scope of the invention. Scanner 30 may comprise a film scanner or a flatbed scanner of any type without departing from the scope of the invention. Image enhancement may also be performed using special purpose digital circuitry contained either in scanner 30, general purpose computer 10, or in a separate device. Such dedicated digital circuitry which may include, for example, state machines, fuzzy logic, etc .

FIGURE 2 illustrates an exemplary scanner 34 constructed in accordance with the invention. Scanner 34 comprises processor 36, storage medium 38 and scanning hardware 40. Processor 36 controls the operation of scanning hardware 40 by executing control software 44 stored in storage medium 38. Although a single storage medium has been illustrated for simplicity, storage medium 38 may comprise multiple storage mediums as well as comprising storage mediums of different types. Thus, for example, control software 44 may be stored in ROM memory, RAM memory, or on a disk drive. Scanning hardware 40 is used to convert an analog image into a digital image utilizing some type of optical circuitry. In addition, optical circuitry may also be used to produce a defect channel proportional to defects in the analog image. Any type of optical circuitry could be used for scanning hardware 40 without departing from the scope of the invention. For the defect channel, a light source comprised mostly of energy outside the visible spectrum and a matching sensor may be used to create the defect channel. For example, an infrared light source and sensor such as those typically used in image processing applications involving photographic images may be used for this aspect of the scanning hardware.

If scanner 34 comprises a reflective scanner, then a defect channel can be derived from a plurality of scanned versions of the image in the visible spectrum. Such a defect channel may be derived by illuminating the image being scanned at two or more angles and calculating changes in the scanned image at the plurality of angles. Defects will tend to affect the light differently when illumination is made from different angles. Other types of scanning hardware may be used to create a defect channel without departing from the scope of the invention.

After scanning hardware 40 has scanned an image, that image may be enhanced (by altering defects within it) in accordance with the invention using image processing software 42, which is stored in storage medium 38. Alternatively, rather than using software running on a processor (one type of digital circuitry) , the invention may employ other types of digital circuitry comprising any type of dedicated digital hardware to alter defects in the digital image. This hardware may be a part of scanner 34 or general purpose computer 10 as discussed above. Similarly, the scanned image may be stored in storage medium 38 as may the enhanced image. Alternatively, scanner 34 may not have any image processing software 42. Such software instead may be provided on general purpose computer 10 for enhancement of an image received from scanner 34. Enhancement may occur both in scanner 34 and general purpose computer 10 as well. Accordingly, a scanned image and/or an enhanced scanned image may be provided by scanner 34 to the general purpose computer 10 through a communications port (not explicitly shown) . The defect channel may be similarly provided. Although one embodiment of an exemplary scanner 34 that may be used for image enhancement in connection with the invention has been illustrated, other scanners may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a flow chart describing a method employed by one embodiment of the present invention to enhance a digital image. The image enhancement described herein may be carried out using computer software, as can any of the processes described below. That software, as discussed above, may be executed by scanner 34, by general purpose computer 10, or a combination thereof. A digital image received from other than scanner 30 may be enhanced in accordance with the invention.

The method described in FIGURE 3 may be used to alter defects in many types of images such as color photographic images (either negative print or transparency) , black and white images (either negative print or transparency and including black and white images derived from photographic film with multiple layers), other monochromatic images, x- rays or any other type of image stored on film. The invention may also be used to alter defects in any image on a tangible medium that may be scanned using a scanner.

In step 50, an image is scanned to create a digital image and defect channel. As noted, however, this step could be omitted and the invention carried out on a image that has been previously scanned and has a defect channel associated with it. In the case of a color image, the digital image will typically be comprised of three channels: a red channel , a green channel , and a blue channel . Each channel is comprised of a series of pixels with each pixel having an intensity value associated with it corresponding to the intensity of the particular color of light at that spatial location in the original image. Other types of color images can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, it is within the scope of the invention to convert a color image into a black and white image for alteration of defects in the image. The enhanced image with the altered defects could then be converted back into a color image. The methods of the invention could also be applied to a single color channel of a digital image and the same correction could be applied to all channels of the digital image. A black and white image may comprise one or more channels similarly made up of pixels. Other types of images may also comprise one or more similar channels. The invention can be used for any of these types of images.

The defect channel comprises a series of pixels, each having an intensity value either directly proportional or inversely proportional to defects (or the lack thereof) in the original image. Such a defect channel may be created, for example, using an infrared light source and infrared sensor of the kind commonly used in image processing applications involving photographic film. Other types of light sources and sensors may be used to create the defect channel, such as described above in connection with reflective scanners, for example. Any other method may be used to generate a suitable defect channel without departing from the scope of the invention. Such a defect channel will ordinarily produce a signal having a stronger correlation to defects in the original image and a weaker correlation to the visible image itself.

Steps 52-58 comprise a method for altering defects in a digital image to produce an enhanced digital image. Before describing the process in detail, it may be helpful to describe it generally. To enhance a digital image by altering defects in the digital image, the invention corrects defects in at least two frequency bands. The term "correction" or "correct" when used in this application, refers broadly to altering defects in a digital image. An image defect does not need to be completely removed or completely corrected to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, defect correction includes, but is not limited to, reduction or other alteration of a defect in a digital image. The frequency bands for the image are created using one or more filters which average pixels in the neighborhood of a pixel in question with each pixel weighted according to its expected reliability. The expected reliability is determined by the intensity value in the defect channel of the pixel in question or the pixel in question plus a series of pixels in the neighborhood of the pixel in question. Pixels that appear to be more reliable based upon the defect channel are weighted more heavily than those with a low expected degree of reliability. The defect channel may be similarly divided into frequency bands.

The effect of each weighted averaging operation is to create a low pass filtered version of the original image. Where multiple averaging operations are performed, multiple low pass filtered versions of the original image are derived, most often with different bandwidths . These multiple lowpass filtered versions, along with the original image may be used to derive a representation of the original image in multiple contiguous frequency bands. By subtracting one low pass filtered version from another, a bandpass representation for one band may be derived where common frequencies are eliminated. A series of bands can be created similarly, as further described below. The filtered representations of the digital image may then be processed such that the original image is divided into a plurality of frequency bands which collectively make up all or substantially all frequencies present in the original image but overlap little, if at all. These bands may then be recombined to produce an image with defects removed .

The same filtering operation may optionally be performed on the defect channel . Defects may then be further removed, frequency band by frequency band, by subtracting the defect channel bands from the image frequency bands. An enhanced image is then constructed by combining the corrected individual frequency bands back together again.

In step 52, data is optionally converted to log space for the defect channel and for each channel of the digital image where defect correction is to be performed. The conversion of data to logarithmic space may enable the remaining steps of the method to be performed more easily than if the conversion were not made. For example, several of the operations described below involve additions and subtractions in log space, but could involve division by zero in non-log space. Because division by zero can lead to erroneous results, it may be more convenient to carry out the process of the invention in log space. However, the performance of mathematically equivalent functions outside of log space could also be used in connection with the invention. Although any type of logarithmic calculation can be used, one embodiment of the invention uses the conversion to log space described by Formula 1.

γ _{( ) =} ^Logιo ( ^{+ 1}) ^Logιo ^4Q95 ₎

Log₁₀4096

In Formula 1, "x" represents the intensity value of the pixel to be converted to log space. Each such pixel in this embodiment comprises a twelve-bit intensity value. Other numbers of bits can be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Depending upon how the invention is carried out, convenient conversions may be made to take into account the capabilities of digital hardware used to perform calculations in accordance with the invention. If data is converted to log space, and the defect channel is suitable, then a first type of defect correction may be carried out by subtracting the defect channel from each of the visible image channels. Such a subtraction may be a direct subtraction or a bounded subtraction, analogous to the bounded subtraction described below in connection with Figure 5. This subtraction may also take into account red leakage and clear film values where the defect channel is derived using an infrared source and sensor in a film scanner. Any method of taking into account these effects (which are described below) is within the scope of the invention. Defect channels obtained using infrared light in film scanners will often be suitable for this optional enhancement of the image. Even in such a case, however, this step is optional. An alternative to this optional subtraction is to subtract the defect channel from the image channel, frequency band by frequency band, after enhancement by weighted filtering as described below. This alternative is also optional and may be done where a suitable defect channel is available. The defect channel may be suitable where pixel intensity values in the defect channel are proportional, either directly or inversely, to defects and vary approximately linearly with the amount of light blocked by the defect.

In step 54, the image and defect channel are filtered by taking weighted averages of pixels within varying distances from specific pixels. As noted above, each channel of the image may be filtered, the channels may be combined into a single channel and the combined channel filtered or a subset of the channels can be combined or filtered individually and the defect correction applied based upon results obtained from those channels without departing from the scope of the invention. Depending upon the type of enhancement used, the filtering of the defect channel is also optional.

The weighting applied to a specific pixel in calculating the weighted averages may be based upon the expected reliability of that pixel. The expected reliability of a pixel may be determined by using the defect channel. As used herein, "a weighted average" or "averaging" or any similar term refers to any type of average such as a median average, mode average, mean average, arithmetic average, or geometric average. The calculation of weighted averages of pixels around the pixels in each channel of the digital image has the effect of filtering each channel with different strengths of low pass filters. The effect of weighting each pixel (or a subset of the pixels) involved in the calculation of the averages based upon the expected reliability of each pixel dampens the effect of the defect in each filtered version of the original channel of the digital image. An example may illustrate the calculation of the weighted averages. In this example, four filtering operations are performed: a 3x3 weighted average, a 5x5 weighted average, a 9x9 weighted average, and a 17x17 weighted average. In this example, each of these four weighted averages is computed for each pixel in the digital image. Any pixel outside the boundaries of the image is set to zero for purposes of these calculations. For a particular pixel, the 3x3 weighted average is computed using a 3x3 matrix of pixels with the pixel in question at the center of the matrix. Thus, pixels in the neighborhood of the pixel in question are used to calculate the weighted average. The weight applied to each pixel corresponds to its expected reliability as determined using a corresponding pixel or pixels in the defect channel. The weighted average is computed by summing the product of the intensity of each pixel times the weight and dividing the total sum by the sum of the weight values that were applied to each pixel . The 5x5, 9x9, and 17x17 filters are calculated similarly. The calculation of the four discussed weighted averages at each pixel results in four low pass filtered versions of the original channel of the digital image. The 3x3 weighted average applied to each pixel of the image channel produces a low pass filtered version of the image having spatial frequencies between essentially zero and one-third of the maximum spatial frequency possible in the image. Similarly, the 5x5 weighted average produces a low pass filtered version of the original channel of the digital image having frequencies predominantly between zero and one- fifth of the maximum spatial frequency possible in the image. The 9x9 and 17x17 weighted averages produce filtered versions with frequencies predominantly between zero and one-ninth the maximum spatial frequency possible in the image and predominantly between zero and one-seventeenth the maximum spatial frequency possible in the image. Due to the weighting applied to each pixel during this filtering operation, the filtered versions in each frequency band have had the effects of defects reduced. Low pass filtering alone tends to dampen the effects of defects, but may also blur image detail . The weighting may dampen the effects of a defect more than low pass filtering alone would with proportionally less reduction of image detail. This example will be used below to further illustrate adjustment of the image and defect channel . The same filtering operation may also be performed on the defect channel, if desirable for use in further reduction of defects.

Numerous options may be used for calculating the weighted average of a pixel and other pixels in the neighborhood of the pixel . The filter can have a square shape (as in the example above), a circle shape, or any other type of shape without departing from the scope of the invention. The filter may be symmetric or asymmetric and may be centered or not centered on the pixel in question. The filter may also be a window with feathered edges. In addition, any number of filters can be used. The use of more filters will allow division of the image into a greater number of frequency bands. The use of additional filters, however, requires additional calculation. Less filters than those used in the above example can also be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

The filters in the example above had particular dimensions each of which are approximately double the dimensions of the previous filter. Any size filters can be used, however, without departing from the scope of the invention. In the example above, any pixel outside the boundaries of the image was set to an intensity value of zero for purposes of the weighted average calculation. Other boundary conditions could be used without departing from the scope of the invention; for example, soft edge boundary conditions such as a triangle edge or gaussian edge could be used.

In the example above, the weighted average was computed for each pixel in each channel of the digital image and in the defect channel. The weighted average could also be performed on a subset of the pixels in a channel or on all of the pixels in a subset of the channels without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, different weights could be used for each frequency band and could be omitted in some frequency bands. Different weights could also be used for different channels. The weighting used for a particular pixel can be determined in several ways. The weighting could depend upon the intensity of a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel. Where the weighting is applied to the defect itself, the weighting could be determined based upon the intensity of each pixel involved in the calculation. The same or different weightings could be used for the defect channel and one or more image channels. The defect channel, however, may be blurred compared to the visible channel due to focal shifts, the nature of the defects, and inconsistent registration between the visible channels of the digital image and the defect channel, for example. Accordingly, it may be desirable to estimate the reliability of a pixel and determine its weight by taking into consideration a plurality of pixels surrounding a pixel in the defect channel corresponding to the pixel in a visible image channel that is the subject of the weighted average calculation. Alternatively, if blurring effects are insignificant and registration error is fairly constant, then the pixel used in the defect channel could be chosen while compensating for the constant registration error.

The particular weighting function chosen may depend upon the characteristics of the particular scanner used to create the defect channel. The weighting applied may be a function of the intensity value of a pixel or pixels in the defect channel . Where multiple pixels are used to determine a weight, an average or weighted average of the pixels may be used to come up with an average intensity used to determine a weight.

Any type of function may used to relate a weight to the intensity of a pixel in the defect channel or average intensity of a series of pixels in the defect channel. A straight line may be used to establish this function or any other type of curve may be used. In this example, a high threshold and a low threshold may be determined based upon the characteristics of an infrared channel produced by a scanner. For example, in one embodiment, a weight of one may be assigned for all pixel values greater than a particular high threshold where the threshold provides high predictability that no defect is present. A weight of zero may be assigned when the intensity value is below a certain low threshold indicating a high probability that a defect is present with little or no image detail remaining. For points with an intensity in between these threshold values, a straight line or other curve can be used to connect the two thresholds to establish a continuous function for weights between zero and one. Pixels with intensity in this middle region tend to be ones that are defective but some image detail remains to allow enhancement of the digital image to remove the defect but maintain some image detail . In the case of a defect channel derived from a reflective scanner using illumination from multiple angles, the intensity of the pixels in the defect channel may lack a linear relationship to the amount of light that passes through a defect. With such a defect channel, a discrete set of weights such as 0, 1/2 and 1, may be used. An example of a weight function is illustrated in FIGURE 6. In FIGURE 6, infrared intensity in the defect channel will be high when no defect is present as most or all of the infrared energy is allowed to pass through the film. Where a defect is present, however, infrared intensity will be low. In this example, all likely defective pixels (those with an infrared intensity in the defect channel less than 20 percent) are set to a weight of zero. All pixels with a high probability of being nondefective pixels (those with an infrared intensity in the defect channel greater than 64 percent of the maximum intensity are assigned a weight of one) . Pixels in the region in between are assigned a weight based upon the illustrated curve. Again, more complicated functions may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The weighting applied may also compensate for effects such as leakage from the red channel of a color image into the defect channel . This leakage may result because infrared light sources and/or sensors are residually sensitive to the cyan dye in an image used to modulate the red region of the visible spectrum. This effect manifests itself as an apparent leakage of the red image into the infrared image. The effects of red leakage can be taken into account when establishing a weight value. For example, an overall red leakage value for an image may be calculated. This red leakage value can then be used to establish a constant to be multiplied times a pixel intensity value in the red channel . This product may represent an estimate of the amount of the red channel present in the defect channel for that particular pixel. Thus, in calculating a weight, this product may be subtracted from the intensity of the pixel in the defect channel .

Similarly, a portion of the intensity in the defect channel is proportional to the intensity that would result if infrared light was passed through clear film. Different types of film produce different intensity values when infrared is passed through the clear film. Accordingly, the weight may also be adjusted by subtracting the average clear film value for a particular digital image.

Depending upon the type of filtering employed, one could filter the image once with one or more filters and then filter the corrected image again with different filters. A decision could be made as to whether to apply the second filtering step based upon the estimated size of defects as determined by the defect channel.

In Step 56, the channels of the digital image and the defect channel are adjusted in response to the weighted averages to lessen the effects of defects in the image. The invention includes any use of the weighted averages computed in Step 54 to adjust an image to lessen the effects of defects in the image. A specific method for adjusting the digital image in response to the weighted averages will be discussed below in connection with FIGURE 4. Such adjustment could occur in the time domain or the frequency domain and, when in the spatial domain, in log space or any other space. After the image has been adjusted to lessen the effects of defects, the process terminates in Step 58.

Besides the method described below in connection with Figure 4, another possible method of enhancement is to create a series of essentially contiguous frequency bands based upon the plurality of weighted averages of the original image and the original image itself. The process of creating these bands may be as described below in connection with step 60 of FIGURE 4. After these bands have been created, they may be added together to form an enhanced version of the original image with the defects reduced. This method may be used, for example, where the defect channel is unsuitable for subtraction from the image. This method could, however, be used even where a defect channel is suitable for correction. The enhanced image may also be further enhanced by other operations without departing from the scope of the invention. If the pixel data was converted to log space in step 52 , the enhanced pixel data may be converted back to the space of the original image using a suitable inverse formula such as an inverse to Formula 1.

FIGURE 4 illustrates one example of a method for adjusting images in response to weighted averages to lessen the effects of defects in the digital image. In step 60, the filtered digital image (which comprises the original digital image and the filtered versions of the digital image calculated in Step 54) and the filtered defect channel (which consists of the original defect channel and the filtered versions of the defect channel obtained in step 54) are separated into frequency bands in response to the calculated weighted averages. In general, the filtered images and the original image are used to create a series of frequency bands with little or no overlap representative of the original digital image and original defect channel with defective pixels suppressed due to the weighting that took place during the filtering operation. This method assumes that the defect channel was filtered in FIGURE 3. Using the example discussed above in connection with FIGURE 3 , five frequency bands may be created using the four weighted averages calculated. For purposes of the following, F_m represents the maximum spatial frequency that can exist in the digital image. For a particular channel of the digital image or for the defect channel, the five frequency bands corresponding to the channel in question may be created using the weighted averages computed for that channel. The frequency band from approximately 1/3 F_m to F_m comprises the difference between the original channel and the 3x3 weighted average filtered version of that channel. The frequency band from approximately 1/5 F_m through 1/3 F_m may be calculated by subtracting the 5x5 weighted average version of the channel from the 3x3 weighted average version of the original channel . The frequency bands from approximately 1/5 F_m to 1/9 F_m and approximately 1/17 F_m to 1/9 F_m may be determined by subtracting the 9x9 weighted average version of the original channel from the 5x5 version of the original image channel and by subtracting the 17x17 weighted average version of the original channel from the 9x9 weighted average version of the original channel, respectively. Finally, the frequency band from approximately zero to 1/17 F_m is represented by the 17x17 weighted average version of the original image channel.

In general, the low pass filtered versions of the image and defect channel created using the weighted averages can be used to divide each channel of the image as well as the defect channel into contiguous frequency bands where some or all of the frequency bands have had the effect of defects suppressed using the weighted average calculations.

In Step 62, the red residue in each frequency band of the defect channel may be removed. Optionally, such residue may be removed using a bounded calculation to allow some variance. If infrared sources and sensors (or other sources and sensors) are used that do not leave red residue in the defect channel, then the step may be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention. One option for removing the red leakage from the defect channel is to subtract from the intensity value of each pixel in the defect channel, the product of the intensity of the corresponding pixel in the red channel multiplied by an average red leakage constant representing the average red leakage for the entire digital image. This difference may be divided by the difference between one and the red leakage value to properly normalize the result. Alternatively, because red leakage may vary within regions of particular images, it may be useful to use a bounded subtraction to allow for some variance in localized red leakage values.

An example of a bounded subtraction for red residue will be provided in connection with FIGURE 5 below. In general, two or more subtractions are performed from the intensity value in the defect channel. The product of the intensity value for the pixel in question in the red channel is multiplied by the red leakage constant adjusted upward for one subtraction and adjusted downward for a second subtraction from the intensity value in the defect channel. These results are divided by the difference between one and the appropriate adjusted red leakage constant. If both calculations have results having the same sign (i.e., both are positive or both are negative) then the smaller result is chosen. If the results have opposite signs, then the pixel in question is set to zero. Besides allowing variance in the red leakage value, such a bounded subtraction may compensate for registration error between visible channels of the digital image and the defect channel as well as for blurring that may occur in the defect channel . In Step 64, defects are further removed from the image by subtracting the relevant frequency band of the defect channel obtained in Step 62 from the relevant frequency band in each image channel obtained in Step 60. Optionally, a bounded calculation such as that described in connection with Step 62 may be used to allow for some variance caused by registration error, blurring, etc. in the defect channel. Next, in Step 66, the frequency bands are recombined through a summation to form an enhanced image with the original defect removed. In Step 67, the enhanced image is converted back from log space to the original space from which it was derived using a suitable inverse formula such as an inverse to Formula 1. If the enhanced image was created in a space other than log space, then Step 67 may be omitted without departing from the scope of the invention. If Step 60 through 66 were carried out in the frequency domain, then the enhanced image may be reconverted back to the time domain in Step 67. FIGURE 5 illustrates a flow chart describing a second method of enhancing an image by altering defects in the image in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, an image may be divided into segments and defects processed within each individual segment . By dividing the image into segments, the amount of storage space used at any one time to enhance the image may be reduced, and the amount of computation required may be reduced. Thus, in this embodiment, the image is divided into segments and a process similar to that discussed above in connection with FIGURES 3 and 4 is applied to each segment individually as if that segment comprised the entire image.

In step 68 an image is scanned to create a digital image comprising one or more channels and a defect channel. All of the options discussed above in connection with step 50 are available for this embodiment of the invention.

Next, in step 70 the data from the defect channel and the channels of the digital image is converted to log space. Again, any of the options discussed above in connection with step 52 may be employed in step 70, including optional subtraction of the defect channel from the visible channel.

In step 72 , each channel of the digital image and the defect channel may be divided into segments. Any size or shape of segments may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, each channel of the digital image and the defect channel are divided into 8x8 segments. This example will be used to illustrate the remainder of the steps of the method illustrated in FIGURE 5.

In step 74, weighted averages of pixels within varying distances from specific pixels in a segment of the defect channel and a segment of each channel of the image are computed. These weighted averages are computed similarly to the weighted averages that were computed in step 54. However, the weighted averages computed in step 74 are computed for an individual segment of the image, assuming that the segment comprises the entire image. Accordingly, even if the 8x8 segment is surrounded by other 8x8 segments, the pixels beyond the boundaries of 8x8 segment in question are treated as beyond the image boundary and any pixel beyond those boundaries are treated as having an intensity of zero (or other boundary condition) .

All of the options for filtering and weighting discussed above in connection with step 54 may be employed in step 74 for the embodiment disclosed in FIGURE 5

(including the option of not filtering the defect channel) .

However, because the segment in this example is 8x8, an 8x8 filter is the maximum sized filter that will be used in this example. The weight function, in this embodiment, takes into account red leakage and clear film effects as discussed above in connection with step 54. The weight for a particular pixel for the weighted average calculations may be determined, for example, using Formula 2.

W(x,y)=2(D_ιn(x,y)-R_LR_ιn(x,y)-C_F)+1.4 (2)

Limit 0<W(x,y)<l

In Formula 2, x and y represent the coordinates of a particular pixel within an 8x8 segment. Di_n represents the defect channel received from the scanner in step 68. R_L comprises a constant value representative of average red leakage in either the segment in question or in the entire digital image. R_ΪN represents the red channel of the digital image. C_F is a constant representing the average clear film value for either the segment in question or the entire digital image. The weight function of Formula 2 is constrained such that the weight varies between zero and one. A plot of the weighting function versus the intensity in the defect channel would look similar to the curve illustrated in FIGURE 6. Any other weight function could be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

In this example, two different weighted averages are computed for each channel . A 3x3 weighted average is computed. In addition, an 8x8 weighted average is computed. The 8x8 average covers the entire segment, and as a result, a single scalar value may be used to represent the result of this weighted average. The 3x3 weighted average for the red, green, blue, and defect channels may be computed using Formulas 3 through 6. ∑ ∑ W(x + a,y+b)R_m(x + a,y+b) , ,

R_3L(x,y)=^a-^{l b}°-' , _j where ∑ ∑ W(x + a, y+b)≠0

∑ ∑ W(x + a,y₊b) -' "-' a=-l b=-l

(3)

R_3L(x_>y) = ° where ∑ ∑ W(x + a, y4-b)=0 a=-l b=-l

∑ ∑ W(x + a,y+b)G_ιn(x + a,y+b)

G_3L(x_>y)=^,-^{l b^1} , ; where∑ ∑ W(x + a, y+b)≠0

∑ ∑ W vv(x Λ + T a,,y y+ Tb υ) a=-l b=-l i a=-l b=-l

(4)

1 1

G_3L(x,y) = 0 where∑ ∑ W(x + a, y+b)=0

-1 b=-l

∑ ∑ W(x + a,y+b)B_in(x + a, y+b)

B_3L(x,y)='⁼-^{l b}-¹ , _j where∑ ∑ W(x + a, y+b)≠0

∑ ∑ W vi( iΛxτ + aα,,y y+ -rb u) a=-l b=-l ;

=-1 b=-l

(5) B_3L(x,y) = 0 where ∑ ∑ W(x + a, y+b)=0 a=-l b=-l

∑ ∑ W(x + a,y+b)D_ιn(x- a,y+b) , ,

D_3L(x,y) = '-^{l b}-¹ , ; where ∑ ∑ W(x + a, y+b)≠0

∑ ∑ W rv(x Λ + -r a a,,y y+ ~rb v) a=-l b=-l l l b=-ι

(6)

1 1

O_3h(x,y)= where∑ ∑ W(x + a, y+b)=0 a=-l b=-l

In these Formulas, Rι_n, Gi_n, B_in, Dι_n, respectively, represent the red, green, blue, and defect channels of the digital image that was scanned in step 68. The 8x8 weighted average for the red, green, blue, and defect channels may be calculated using Formulas 7 through 10, respectively. As noted, each of these Formulas produces a scalar result.

∑ ∑ W(a,b)R_m(a,b) _{7 7}

R_8L(x,y)=^a° ₇ where ∑ ∑ W(a,b)≠0

∑ ∑ W(a,b) a=0 b=0 a=0 b=0

(7)

7 7

R_8L (x, y)= 0 where ∑ ∑ W (a, b)= 0 a=0 b=0

∑ ∑ W(a,b)G_m(a,b) 7 7

G_8L(x,y)=^{a=0 b} ₇ ⁼° ₇ where ∑ ∑ w(a,b)≠0

∑ ∑ W(a,b) a=0 b=0 a=0 b=0 (8)

7 7

G_8L(x,y)=0 where ∑ ∑ W(a,b)=0 a=0 b=0

7 7

∑ ∑ W(a,b)B_ιn(a,b) 7 7

B_8L(x,y)=^a° ^b° ₇ where ∑ ∑ W(a,b)≠0

∑ ∑ W(a,b) a=0 b=0 a=0 b=0

(9)

B_8L (x,y)=0 where ∑ ∑ w(a,b)=0 a=0 b=0

D_8L (x, y)=0 where ∑ ∑ W(a,b)=0 a=0 b=0

R_3L represents a weighted low-pass filtered version of the red channel of the digital image having a frequency band between approximately zero and 1/3 F_m, where F_m is the maximum spatial frequency possible for the segment of the digital image. G_3L, B_3L, and D_3L cover a similar frequency band for the green, blue, and defect channels respectively. R_8L represents a weighted low-pass filtered version of the red channel of the digital image having a frequency band between approximately zero and 1/8 F_m. G_8L, B_8L, and D_8L represent weighted low-pass filtered versions of the green, blue, and defect channels, respectively in the same frequency band.

In step 76, the segment of the image is adjusted to lessen the effects of defects in the image in response to the weighted averages of each image channel and the defect channel obtained in step 74 and the original image channels and defect channels. Any of the options discussed above in connection with step 56 and steps 60 through 67 may be used in connection such adjustment.

In this example, a version of the original image and original defect channel, with effects of the defect partially suppressed due the weighted averages computed in step 74, is created in three separate frequency bands. For each image channel and the defect channel, a first frequency band is obtained having frequencies between approximately zero and 1/8 F_m. A second frequency band extends from approximately 1/8 F_m to 1/3 F_m. A third frequency band extends from approximately 1/3 F_m to F_m.

The first frequency band may be obtained using Formulas 11 through 14.

^ 8B ^— ^ 8L (11)

^ δB ^— ^δL (12)

D_8B =D_8L (14)

Because this frequency band was already calculated in step 74, it can be used without any further computation.

The third frequency may be computed using Formulas 15 through 18. In these Formulas, the weighted low-pass filtered version of each channel in the frequency range of approximately zero to 1/3 F_m is subtracted from the unfiltered image channel to produce the frequency band between approximately 1/3 F_m and F_ra.

R_IB (^χ,y)=R_ιn (^χ,y)-R_3L (^χ,y) (15)

G_]B(x,y)=G_m(x,y)-G_3L(x,y) (16)

B_1B(x,y)=B_m(x,y)-B_3L(x,y) (17)

D_1B(x,y)=D_ιn(x,y)-D_3L(x,y) (18) Finally, the second frequency band, the one between approximately 1/8 F_m and 1/3 F_m may be computed using Formulas 19 through 22. In Formulas 19 through 22, the 8x8 weighted filtered version of each image channel is subtracted from the 3x3 weighted filtered version of the original image channel. The process just described for creating a plurality of frequency bands may employ any of the options discussed above in connection with step 60.

R_3B(x,y)=R_3L(x,y)-R_8L (19)

G_3B(x,y)=G_3L(x,y)-G_8L (20)

B_3B(x,y)=B_3L(x,y)-B_8L (21)

D_3B(x,y)=D_3L(x,y)-D_8L (22)

Next, the red residue may be removed from the defect channel in each frequency band. Again, any of the options described above in connection with step 62 may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. In this embodiment, a bounded subtraction is used for two of the frequency band and a simple subtraction is used for the remaining frequency band. Formula 23 may be used to subtract the red residue in the first frequency band of the defect channel .

D_8B = ^D8B~R8BDK8RL (23) ι-D_K8R_L

In Formula 23, the constant, D_K8, will normally be set to one, but may vary depending upon the scanner in question.

This constant represents the amount of the red channel that should be subtracted from the defect relative to the measured average red leakage for the entire segment and/or the entire image.

Formulas 24 through 26 may be used to subtract the red residue from the second frequency band of the defect channel .

T2 D_3B (^χ,y)-R_3B (^χ,y)Dκ3L ^R _L

D3B (25)

I-D^R_L

^D _3B (^x _>y) = ^T1_D3B (^χ.y) where |T1_D3B (x,y) < |T2_D3B (x,y) andTl_D3B (x,y)andT2_D3B (x,y)have the same sign

^D _3B(^χ ₅y) = ^T2 _D3B(^χ _;y) where |T2_D3B (x,y) < |T1_D3B (x,y) (26) andTl_D3B (x,y)andT2_D3B (x,y)have the same sign

D_3B(x,y) = 0 where T1_D3B (x,y)andT2_D3B (x,y)have different signs

The bounded subtraction provided for in Formulas 24 through 26 allows for local variance in the red leakage value, as well as for some registration error and/or blurring in the defect channel as compared to the visible channel . Formula 24 multiplies a high value constant, D_K3H against the red leakage constant, R_L. Formula 25 multiplies a low-value constant, D _3L, by the red leakage constant, R_L. D_K3H and D_K3L are the high and low ranges determining how much of the image content in the red channel should be subtracted from the defect channel . These constants may be determined experimentally. In this embodiment, D _3H s chosen to be 1.3 while D_K3L is chosen to be 0.6. These constants will tend to average about one. The average is a function of the resolution of the system for the infrared channel versus the red channel . The spread between these two constants is a function of the accuracy of the scanner that produces the defect channel . If D_K3H is chosen too large, then small image patterns may cause large matching defects to be erased, rendering defects uncorrected in middle frequencies when they are next to image detail. If D_K3H is chosen too small, then image residue may remain in the defect record, causing middle frequency image detail to be erased. If D_K3L is chosen too large, then too much image detail may be removed from the defect causing a negative residue that interferes with the ability to distinguish a defect. If D_K3L is chosen too small, then visible detail may not be removed in the presence of defect detail of opposite polarity.

After the results of Formula 24 and 25 are calculated, the revised version of the frequency band is calculated using Formula 26. If the results of Formula 24 and Formula 25 have different signs, then the intensity value is set to zero. If these signs are the same, then the lesser value produced by either Formula 24 or Formula 25 is chosen. Thus, this bounded subtraction tends to drive the revised value closer to zero.

Formulas 27 through 32 may be used to remove red residue in the defect channel for the third frequency band created above .

T3_D1B(x,y) = Tl_D1B(x,y) where |T1_D1B (x,y) ≤ |T2_D1B (x,y) andTl_D1B (x,y)andT2_D]B (x,y)have the same sign

T3_D1B(x,y) = T2_D1B(x,y) where |T2_D1B (x,y) < |T1_D1B (x,y) (29) andT2_D1B (x,y)andTl_D1B (x,y)have the same sign

T3_D1B(x,y) = 0 where T1_D1B (x,y)andT2_D1B (x,y)havedifferentsigns

T4_D1B(x,y) = T3_D1B(x,y)-D_K1A (30)

^τ5_Di_B( _>y) = ^τ3_D1B(^χ ₅y)-D_κlA (31)

Dl_B( ,y) = T4_D1B(x,y) where |T4_D1B (x,y) < |T5_D1B [x,y] andT4_D1B (x,y)andT5_D1B (x,y) have the same sign

D'_1B (x, y) = T5_D1B (x, y) where |T5_D1B (x, yj < |T4_D1B (x, y) (32) andT5_D1B (x,y)andT4_D1B (x,y)have the same sign

D'_1B(x,y) = 0 where T5_D1B (x,y)andT4_D1B (x,y) have opposite signs

Formulas 27 through 29 are similar to Formulas 24 through 26. For this frequency band, in this example, the high- constant D_Ki_H is chosen to be 1.0 while the low- frequency constant, D_Kι_L is chosen to be 0.3. Similar considerations apply to the choice of these constants, as applied to the choice of D_K3H and D_K3L above. In this case, the effects of these constants will be in the high frequency band. Here, the average of the two constants is less than one and may be chosen as such to the extent that heightened frequency defects are blurred relative to the high frequency image. The range is also wider to accommodate a greater variance that often occurs at higher frequencies. The difference between Formulas 27 through 32 and Formulas 23 through 26 involves the addition of Formulas 30 through 31. These Formulas make a minor adjustment in the value computed by Formula 29 to adjust for residual noise in the high-frequency portion of the defect channel. In this embodiment, constant D_K1A has a value of 0.01. If the residual noise constant, O_K1 is set too high, then detail in small defects in the image may not be removed. If the value is set too low, then too little residual electronic noise will be removed from this frequency band of the defect channel and such noise in the defect channel may appear in the visible channel (s) as a negative of this noise, causing the electronic noise in the defect channel to contaminate the processed visible image. Next, the defect is removed from the visible image frequency band by frequency band. Similar bounded subtractions are performed as were performed when the red residue was removed from the defect channel above. In this case, the constant for the first frequency band, R_K8 is set to one, but could be adjusted. For this frequency band, a direct subtraction is used, rather than a bounded subtraction. Blurring effects tend not to affect this frequency band or affect it insignificantly, but a bounded subtraction could be employed if desired. The constants R_K3H and R_K3L are set to 1.5 and 0.5 respectively. The constants RKIH and R_KIL are set to 1.7 and 0.5, respectively. These values are also chosen for the corresponding constants for the green and blue channels. These constants establish the bounds within which correction is made. Again, one selects whichever number between the bounds drives the corrected result closet to zero. The upper and lower bounds will normally average about one, except that one may set the lower bound a bit lower without damaging the image. Finally, the defects in the original image may be suppressed even further by multiplying the pixels resulting from a bounded subtraction of the defect channel from the image channel by the weight for a particular pixel calculated using Formula 2.

The defects may be removed from each frequency band of the visible image channels, using Formulas 33 through 59. Formulas 33 through 35 may be used to remove defect information from the first frequency band. Formulas 36 through 47 may be used to remove the defect from the middle frequency band of each channel. Formulas 48 through 59 may be used to remove the defect from the third frequency band of each channel .

R'_8B =R_8B -D'_8BR_K8 (33)

G_8B =G_8B -D_8B G_K8 (34)

B_SB ⁼B_8B-D'_8BB_K8 (35)

TIMB (X, y) = R₃B (^χ> y)-D_3B (^χ> y) _K3H (36)

T2_R3B(^χ,y)=R_3B (^χ,y)-D_3B (^χ,y)R_K3L (37)

^T _R3B( _>y) = Tl_R3B(x,y) where |T1_R3B (x,y) < |T2_R3B (x,y) andTl_R3B (x,y)andT2_R3B (x,y)have the same sign

^τ3 _R3B(^χ,y) = T2_R3B(x,y) where |T2_R3B (x,y) < |T1_R3B (x,y) (38) andT2_R3B (x,y)andTl_R3B (x, y) have the same sign

T3_R3B(x,y) = 0 where T2_R3B (x,y)andTl_R3B (x,y) have opposite signs

R'_3B(x,y)=T3_R3B(x,y)w(x,y) (39)

Tl_G3B(x,y)=G_3B(x,y)-D;_B(x,y)G_K3H (40) T2_G3B(x,y)=G_3B (x,y)-D'_3B (x.yjG^ (41)

T3_G3B(x,y) = Tl_G3B(x,y) where |T1_G3B (x,yj < |T2_G3B (x,y) andTl_G3B (x,y)andT2_G3B (x,y) have the same sign

T3_G3B(x,y) = T2_G3B(x,y) where |T2_G3B (x,y) < |T1_G3B (x,y) (42) andT2_G3B (x,y)andTl_G3B (x,y) have the same sign

T3G_G3₃B_B(x,y) = 0 where T2_G3B(x,y)andTl_G3B(x,y)haveoppositesigns

G_3B(x,y)=T3_G3B(x,y)w(x,y) (43)

Tl_B3B(x,y) = B_3B(x,y)-D_3B (x^B^ (44)

T2_B3B(x,y)=B_3B (x,y)-D'_3B (x,y)B_K3L (45)

^T3 _B3B(x_>y) = Tl_B3B(x,y) where |T1_B3B (x,y) < |T2_B3B (x,yj and T 1 _B3B (x, y) and T2 _B3B (x, y) have the same sign

T3_B3B(x,y) = T2_B3B(x,y) where |T2_B3B (x,yj < |T1_B3B (x,y) (46) andT2_B3B (x,y)andTl_B3B (x,y) have the same sign

T3_B3B(x,y) = 0 where T2_B3B (x,y)andTl_B3B(x,y)haveoppositesigns

B_3B(x,y)=T3_B3B(x,y)w(x,y) (47)

T1_R1B (x,y)=R_1B (x,y)-D'_1B (x,y) R_K1H (48)

T2_R1B (x,y)=R_1B (x,y)-D;_B (x,y) R_K1L (49) T3_R1B (x,y) = T1_R1B (x,y) where |T1_R1B (x,y) ≤ |T2_R1B (x,yj andTl_R1B (x,y)andT2_R1B (x,y)have the same sign

T3_R1B (x,y) = T2_R1B (x,y) where |T2_R1B (x,y) < |T1_R1B (x,y) (50) andT2_R1B (x,y)andTl_R1B (x,y) have the same sign

T3_R1B(x,y) = 0 where T2_R1B (x,y)andTl_R1B (x,y) have opposite signs

R;_B=T3_R1B(x,y)w(x,y) (51)

T1_G1B (x,y)=G_1B (x,y)-D;_B (x,y) G_K1H (52)

T2_G1B (χ,y)=G_1B (χ,y)-D'_1B (x,y) G_K1L (53)

^T3 _Gi_B(^x _>y) =

where |T1_G1B (x,y)| < |T2_G1B (x,yj andTl_G1B (x,y)andT2_G1B (x,y)have the same sign

T3_GIB (^χ,y) = ^T _Gi_B(^x>y) where |T2_G1B (x,yj < |T1_G1B (x,yj (54) andT2_G1B (x,y)andTl_G1B (x, y) have the same sign

^T3 _Gi_B(^x _>y) = ° where T2_G1B (x,y)andTl_G1B (x,y) have opposite sign

G;_B=T3_G1B(x,y)w(x,y) (55)

TI_EIE (^x _>y)=B_1B (x,y)-D;_B (x,y) B_K1H (56)

T2_B1B (x,y)=B_1B (x,y)-D;_B (x,y) B_K1L (57) T3_B1B (x,y) = Tl_B1B (x,y) where |T1_B1B (x, y) ≤ |T2_B1B (x,y) andTl_B1B (x,y)andT2_B1B (x, y) have the same sign

T3_B1B (x, y) = T2_B1B (x, y) where |T2_B1B (x, yj < |T1_B1B (x,y) (58) andT2_B1B (x, y)andTl_B1B (x,y)have the same sign

T3_B1B (x,y) = 0 where T2_B1B (x,y)andTl_B1B (x,y) have opposite signs

B'_1B =T3_B1B (x, y) w(x,y) (59)

To obtain an enhanced image with the defect removed, the frequency bands may be recombined for each channel using Formulas 60 through 62.

R_out (^χ,y)=R'_1B (^χ,y)+R_3B (x,y)+R'_8B ( >y) (60)

G_out (x,y)=G;_B (x, y)+G'_3B (x, y)+G'_8B (x, y) (61)

B_out (x,y)=B'_1B (x, y)+B'_3B (x, y)+B'_8B (x, y) (62)

These enhanced images may be converted back to the original image space using an appropriate inverse logarithmic function. Again, all of the options discussed above in connection with step 67 are applicable to this embodiment as well .

In step 78, it is determined whether there are any more segments of the digital image to process. If so, then steps

74 and 76 are repeated for each remaining segment of the digital image. If no more segments are to be processed, then the method continues in step 80.

In step 80, it is determined if there are more overlaps to perform. If not, then the procedure terminates in step

84. If so, then each channel of the enhanced digital image obtained by using steps 74 and 76 for each segment is divided into segments spatially different from the earlier segments. Steps 74 and 76 are then repeated for each of these segments. This aspect of this embodiment may compensate for results that may be obtained for pixels near the boundary of segments that were used when the image was first divided into segments in step 72. By performing defect removal a second time, the defect may be further suppressed. In this example, a second overlap is performed using 8x8 segments comprising a 2x2 corner of four adjoining segments that touch one another at a common point . These 8x8 segments are thus made up of one- fourth of each of four adjoining segments. Any of the options described above with respect to step 72 may be used in step 82 in performing division of the enhanced image into different segments. Different shapes can be used and different size segments can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although the inventions described herein involve calculations in the spatial domain, analogous calculations in the frequency domain could equivalently be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the sphere and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

To aid the Patent Office, and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims to invoke f 6 of 35 U.S.C.

§ 112 as it exists on the date of filing hereof unless "means for" or "step for" are used in the particular claim.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for altering defects in a digital image, comprising: storing on a computer readable storage medium a digital image comprising at least one channel, the at least one channel comprising a plurality of pixels each having an intensity value; storing on the computer readable storage medium a defect channel comprising a plurality of pixels each having an intensity value, at least some of the plurality of pixels in the defect channel having an intensity value proportional to defects in the digital image; filtering a first pixel of the at least one channel of the digital image to produce a filtered pixel the filtering of the first pixel responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; and producing a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel and the at least one channel.

2. The method of Claim 1 : wherein the digital image comprises three channels, each channel comprising a plurality of pixels; wherein the digital image represents a color image; and wherein the method further comprises filtering at least a second pixel at the same location in each of the three channels to produce a second filtered pixel for each of the three channels, the filtering of the second pixel in each channel, for a particular channel, responsive to the intensity of the second pixel in the particular channel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel in the particular channel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel in the particular channel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; producing a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel for each channel, and the three channels.

3. The method of Claim 1, wherein the digital image comprises a single channel and represents a monochrome image .

4. The method of Claim 1, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of a plurality of pixels in the defect channel .

5. The method of Claim 1, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of a pixel in the defect channel which spatially corresponds to the first pixel.

6. The method of Claim 1, wherein the weighting of the at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is further responsive to red leakage in the defect channel .

7. The method of Claim 1, wherein the weighting of the at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is further responsive to a clear film intensity measure .

8. The method of Claim 1, wherein the filtering is performed in log space .

9. The method of Claim 8, wherein the corrected digital image is further responsive to the difference between the digital image and a filtered version of the digital image containing the filtered pixel.

10. The method of Claim 8, wherein the corrected digital image is further responsive to the difference between (a) the difference between the digital image and a filtered version of the digital image containing the filtered pixel and (b) the difference between the original defect channel and a filtered version of the defect channel .

11. The method of Claim 1, wherein the intensity of pixels in the defect channel is responsive to the difference between at least two reflected scans of an image from which the digital image was derived, wherein the image is illuminated by at least one light source at a different angle relative to the surface of the image during each scan.

12. The method of Claim 1, wherein filtering the first pixel further comprises: filtering the first pixel a plurality of times, wherein ones of the plurality of filtering operations cover a different bandwidth, are responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, and wherein at least one of the pixels use in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel, each of the plurality of filtering operations producing a filtered pixel, collectively comprising a plurality of filtered pixels; and wherein the corrected digital image is further responsive to the plurality of filtered pixels.

13. The method of Claim 1, wherein the digital image comprises three channels, each channel comprising a plurality of pixels; wherein the digital image represents a color image; wherein the at least one channel comprises one of the three channels; and wherein the corrected digital image is produced in response to the filtered pixel by applying a correction in all three channels in response to the filtered pixel determined for the at least one channel .

14. The method of Claim 1, wherein the digital image comprises three channels, each channel comprising a plurality of pixels; wherein the digital image represents a color image; wherein the method further comprises forming a black and white channel based upon the three channels, the black and white channel comprising the at least one channel; and wherein the corrected digital image is produced in response to the filtered pixel by applying a correction in all three channels in response to the filtered pixel determined for the black and white channel .

15. The method of Claim 1, wherein the intensity of pixels in the defect channel is proportional to infrared transmission through film from which the digital image was derived.

16. The method of Claim 15, further comprising: assigning a low weight value to a pixel for the filtering operation if a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel has an intensity less than a first threshold.

17. The method of Claim 15, further comprising: assigning a low weight value to a pixel for the filtering operation if the average intensity of a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel and other pixels in the defect channel in the neighborhood of the spatially corresponding pixel is less than a first threshold.

18. The method of Claim 1, further comprising: dividing the digital image into a plurality of segments ; wherein the first pixel is in a first segment comprising one of the plurality of segments of the at least one channel of the digital image and wherein the plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel are in the first segment; filtering a second pixel of the at least one channel of the digital image to produce a second filtered pixel the filtering of the second pixel responsive to the intensity of the second pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; wherein the second pixel is in a second segment comprising one of the plurality of segments of the at least one channel of the digital image and wherein the plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel are in the second segment ; and wherein the corrected digital image is produced in response the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel, and the at least one channel .

19. The method of Claim 1, wherein the first pixel is filtered using a square filter.

20. The method of Claim 1, wherein the first pixel is filtered using a circular filter.

21. A method for altering defects in a digital image, comprising : filtering, using digital circuitry, a first pixel of a first channel of the digital image to produce a filtered pixel by averaging the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used for averaging is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in a defect channel associated with the digital image; and producing a corrected digital image, using digital circuitry, in response to the filtered pixel and the first channel .

22. The method of Claim 21, wherein the digital circuitry comprises dedicated digital hardware.

23. The method of Claim 21, wherein the digital circuitry comprises a microprocessor executing computer software.

24. The method of Claim 21, wherein the digital image comprises three channels, each channel comprising a plurality of pixels; wherein the digital image represents a color image; and wherein the method further comprises filtering at least a second pixel at the same location in each of the three channels to produce a second filtered pixel for each of the three channels, the filtering of the second pixel in each channel, for a particular channel, responsive to the intensity of the second pixel in the particular channel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel in the particular channel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel in the particular channel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; producing a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel for each channel, and the three channels.

25. The method of Claim 21, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of a plurality of pixels in the defect channel.

26. The method of Claim 21, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of a pixel in the defect channel which spatially corresponds to the first pixel.

27. The method of Claim 21, further comprising: filtering the first pixel a plurality of times, wherein ones of the plurality of filtering operations cover a different bandwidth, are responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, and wherein at least one of the pixels use in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel, each of the plurality of filtering operations producing a filtered pixel, collectively comprising a plurality of filtered pixels; and wherein the corrected digital image is further responsive to the plurality of filtered pixels.

28. The method of Claim 21, further comprising: assigning a low weight value to a pixel for the filtering operation if a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel has an intensity indicating a high probability that the pixel is defective.

29. The method of Claim 21, further comprising: assigning a low weight value to a pixel for the filtering operation if the average intensity of a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel and other pixels in the defect channel in the neighborhood of the spatially corresponding pixel indicates a high probability that the pixel is defective.

30. The method of Claim 21, further comprising: performing a filtering operation on each pixel in the at least one channel .

31. The method of Claim 21, further comprising: dividing the digital image into a plurality of segments ; wherein the first pixel is in a first segment comprising one of the plurality of segments of the at least one channel of the digital image and wherein the plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel are in the first segment; filtering a second pixel of the at least one channel of the digital image to produce a second filtered pixel the filtering of the second pixel responsive to the intensity of the second pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; wherein the second pixel is in a second segment comprising one of the plurality of segments of the at least one channel of the digital image and wherein the plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel are in the second segment ; and wherein the corrected digital image is produced in response the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel, and the at least one channel .

32. A digital image scanning system comprising: scanning hardware operable to scan an image and convert the image into a digital image having at least one channel and to produce a defect channel responsive to defects in the image ; and computer software associated with the scanning hardware and operable to: filter a first pixel of the at least one channel of the digital image to produce a filtered pixel the filtering of the first pixel responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; and produce a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel and the at least one channel.

33. The digital image scanning system of Claim 32, wherein the digital image comprises three channels, each channel comprising a plurality of pixels; wherein the digital image represents a color image; and wherein the computer software is further operable to filter at least a second pixel at the same location in each of the three channels to produce a second filtered pixel for each of the three channels, the filtering of the second pixel in each channel, for a particular channel, responsive to the intensity of the second pixel in the particular channel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel in the particular channel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel in the particular channel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; produce a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel for each channel, and the three channels.

34. The digital image scanning system of Claim 32, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of a plurality of pixels in the defect channel.

35. The digital image scanning system of Claim 32, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of a pixel in the defect channel which spatially corresponds to the first pixel .

36. The digital image scanning system of Claim 32, wherein the computer software is further operable to: filter the first pixel a plurality of times, wherein ones of the plurality of filtering operations cover a different bandwidth, are responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, and wherein at least one of the pixels use in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel, each of the plurality of filtering operations producing a filtered pixel, collectively comprising a plurality of filtered pixels; and wherein the corrected digital image is further responsive to the plurality of filtered pixels.

37. The digital image scanning system of Claim 32, wherein the computer software is further operable to: assign a low weight value to a pixel for the filtering operation if a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel has an intensity indicating a high probability that the pixel is defective.

38. The digital image scanning system of Claim 32, wherein the computer software is further operable to: assign a low weight value to a pixel for the filtering operation if the average intensity of a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel and other pixels in the defect channel in the neighborhood of the spatially corresponding pixel indicates a high probability that the pixel is defective.

39. The digital image scanning system of Claim 32, wherein the computer software is further operable to: divide the digital image into a plurality of segments; wherein the first pixel is in a first segment comprising one of the plurality of segments of the at least one channel of the digital image and wherein the plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel are in the first segment; filter a second pixel of the at least one channel of the digital image to produce a second filtered pixel the filtering of the second pixel responsive to the intensity of the second pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; wherein the second pixel is in a second segment comprising one of the plurality of segments of the at least one channel of the digital image and wherein the plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel are in the second segment ; and wherein the corrected digital image is produced in response the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel, and the at least one channel .

40. A digital image processing system comprising: a computer readable storage medium; computer software stored on the computer readable storage medium and operable to: filter a first pixel of the at least one channel of the digital image to produce a filtered pixel the filtering of the first pixel responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel ; and produce a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel and the at least one channel.

41. The digital image processing system of Claim 40, wherein the digital image comprises three channels, each channel comprising a plurality of pixels; wherein the digital image represents a color image; and wherein the computer software is further operable to filter at least a second pixel at the same location in each of the three channels to produce a second filtered pixel for each of the three channels, the filtering of the second pixel in each channel, for a particular channel, responsive to the intensity of the second pixel in the particular channel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel in the particular channel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel in the particular channel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; produce a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel for each channel, and the three channels.

42. The digital image processing system of Claim 40, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of a plurality of pixels in the defect channel.

43. The digital image processing system of Claim 40, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of a pixel in the defect channel which spatially corresponds to the first pixel .

44. The digital image scanning system of Claim 40, wherein the computer software is further operable to: filter the first pixel a plurality of times, wherein ones of the plurality of filtering operations cover a different bandwidth, are responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, and wherein at least one of the pixels use in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel, each of the plurality of filtering operations producing a filtered pixel, collectively comprising a plurality of filtered pixels; and wherein the corrected digital image is further responsive to the plurality of filtered pixels.

45. The digital image scanning system of Claim 40, wherein the computer software is further operable to: assign a low weight value to a pixel for the filtering operation if a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel has an intensity indicating a high probability that the pixel is defective.

46. The digital image scanning system of Claim 40, wherein the computer software is further operable to: assign a low weight value to a pixel for the filtering operation if the average intensity of a spatially corresponding pixel in the defect channel and other pixels in the defect channel in the neighborhood of the spatially corresponding pixel indicates a high probability that the pixel is defective.

47. The digital image scanning system of Claim 40, wherein the computer software is further operable to: divide the digital image into a plurality of segments; wherein the first pixel is in a first segment comprising one of the plurality of segments of the at least one channel of the digital image and wherein the plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel are in the first segment; filter a second pixel of the at least one channel of the digital image to produce a second filtered pixel the filtering of the second pixel responsive to the intensity of the second pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; wherein the second pixel is in a second segment comprising one of the plurality of segments of the at least one channel of the digital image and wherein the plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel are in the second segment ; and wherein the corrected digital image is produced in response the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel, and the at least one channel .

48. An altered digital image derived from a digital image having at least one channel, comprising: a computer readable storage medium; an altered digital image stored on the computer readable storage medium wherein the altered digital image was created by: filtering a first pixel of the at least one channel of the digital image to produce a filtered pixel the filtering of the first pixel responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; and producing a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel and the at least one channel.

49. The altered digital image of Claim 48, wherein the digital image comprises three channels, each channel comprising a plurality of pixels; and wherein the digital image represents a color image and wherein the altered digital image was further created by: filtering at least a second pixel at the same location in each of the three channels to produce a second filtered pixel for each of the three channels, the filtering of the second pixel in each channel, for a particular channel, responsive to the intensity of the second pixel in the particular channel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel in the particular channel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel in the particular channel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; producing a corrected digital image in response to the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel for each channel, and the three channels.

50. The altered digital image of Claim 48, wherein the altered digital image was further created by: filtering the first pixel a plurality of times, wherein ones of the plurality of filtering operations cover a different bandwidth, are responsive to the intensity of the first pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the first pixel, and wherein at least one of the pixels use in filtering the first pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel, each of the plurality of filtering operations producing a filtered pixel, collectively comprising a plurality of filtered pixels; and wherein the corrected digital image is further responsive to the plurality of filtered pixels.

51. A method for altering defects in a digital image, comprising : storing on a computer readable storage medium a digital image comprising at least one channel, the at least one channel comprising a plurality of pixels each having an intensity value; storing on the computer readable storage medium a defect channel comprising a plurality of pixels each having an intensity value, at least some of the plurality of pixels in the defect channel having an intensity value proportional to defects in the digital image; creating, using digital circuitry, a plurality of filtered versions of the at least one channel, wherein pixels of the filtered versions of the at least one channel are determined by, for a particular pixel in a particular filtered version, computing a weighted average of the intensity values of the particular pixel and pixels within a region adjacent to the particular pixel in the at least one channel, wherein at least some of the intensity values used in the computation of the weighted average are weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; and producing a corrected digital image in response to the plurality of filtered versions of the at least one channel, the original at least one channel, and the defect channel.

52. The method of Claim 51, further comprising: creating, using digital circuitry, a plurality of filtered versions of the defect channel, wherein pixels of the filtered versions of the defect channel are determined by, for a particular pixel in a particular filtered version, computing a weighted average of the intensity values of the particular pixel and pixels within a region adjacent to the particular pixel, wherein at least some of the intensity values used in the computation of the weighted average are weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; and wherein the corrected digital image is further produced in response to the plurality of filtered versions of the defect channel .

53. The method of Claim 52, wherein the filtered versions of the at least one channel are created in log space .

54. The method of Claim 51, further comprising: dividing the at least one channel into segments; creating, using digital circuitry, a plurality of filtered versions of each segment of the at least one channel wherein pixels of the filtered versions of each segment of the at least one channel are determined by, for a particular pixel in a particular filtered version, computing a weighted average of the intensity values of the particular pixel and pixels within a region adjacent to the particular pixel and within the same segment as the particular pixel, and wherein at least some of the intensity values used in the computation of the weighted average are weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel; and wherein the the corrected digital image is further produced in response to the plurality of filtered versions of each segment of the at least one channel .

55. The method of Claim 51, further comprising: prior to creating the plurality of filtered versions of the at least one channel, altering a plurality of pixels of the at least one channel by subtracting, for a particular pixel, a first value responsive to the intensity value of a pixel in the defect channel spatially corresponding to the particular pixel's position in the at least one channel from a second value responsive to the intensity value of the particular pixel .

56. The method of Claim 51, wherein the corrected digital image is produced by: creating a series of frequency bands, the frequency bands essentially contiguous and responsive to the at least one channel and the plurality of filtered versions of the at least one channel; and adding the frequency bands together to form the corrected digital image.

57. The method of Claim 55, wherein the corrected digital image is produced by: creating a series of frequency bands, the frequency bands essentially contiguous and responsive to the altered version of the at least one channel and the plurality of filtered versions of the altered version of the at least one channel ; and adding the frequency bands together to form the corrected digital image.

58. The method of Claim 52, wherein the corrected digital image is produced by: creating a first series of frequency bands, the first series of frequency bands essentially contiguous and responsive to the at least one channel and the plurality of filtered versions of the at least one channel; creating a second series of frequency bands, the second series of frequency bands essentially contiguous and responsive to the defect channel and the plurality of filtered versions of the defect channel and wherein each of the second series of frequency bands corresponds to one of the frequency bands of the first series of frequency bands; subtracting each corresponding frequency band in the second series of frequency bands from a frequency band in the first series of frequency bands to form a third series of frequency bands; adding the third series of frequency bands together to form the corrected digital image .

59. The method of Claim 58, wherein the subtracting comprises a bounded subtraction wherein the bounded subtraction, for a particular pixel in a particular frequency band, comprises the selection of a result of a plurality of subtractions including a first subtraction proportional to the difference between a first value proportional to the intensity of the particular pixel in the particular frequency band in the first series of frequency bands and a second value proportional to the intensity of the particular pixel in the particular frequency band in the second series of frequency bands and a second subtraction proportional to the difference between the first value and a third value proportional to the intensity of the particular pixel in the particular frequency band in the second series of frequency bands.

60. The method of Claim 58, wherein the second series of frequency bands is further responsive to red residue in the defect channel such that the second series of frequency bands is adjusted to reduce red residue in the defect channel .

61. The method of Claim 58, wherein the weighted average comprise an average selected from the group consisting of a median average, an arithmetic average, a geometric average, a mean average, and a mode average.

62. The method of Claim 1, wherein the first pixel is filtered using a window filter with feathered edges.

63. The method of Claim 1, further comprising: filtering a second pixel comprising a part of the defect channel to produce a second filtered pixel the filtering of the second pixel responsive to the intensity of the second pixel and a plurality of additional pixels in the neighborhood of the second pixel, wherein at least one of the pixels used in filtering the second pixel is weighted in response to the intensity value of at least one pixel in the defect channel .

64. The method of Claim 63 , wherein the corrected digital image is produced in response to the filtered pixel, the second filtered pixel, the at least one channel, and the defect channel .

65. The method of Claim 1, further comprising: prior to filtering the first pixel, altering at least a second pixel of the at least one channel by subtracting a first value responsive to the intensity value of a pixel in the defect channel spatially corresponding to the second pixel's position in the at least one channel from a second value responsive to the intensity value of the second pixel.