1. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a region determination unit to determine a foreground region and a background region in a color image using a depth image; and
a color compensation unit to compensate a color with respect to the foreground region and the background region.
2. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region determination unit determines the foreground region and the background region using a depth histogram related to a depth value of the depth image.
3. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region determination unit determines a region having an approximate depth value of a person in the depth image to be the foreground region when the person is included in the color image.
4. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the region determination unit recognizes a face of a person included in the color image and determines a region having an approximate depth value of the face of the depth image to be the foreground region.
5. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the color compensation unit applies histogram equalization and white balance adjustment to the foreground region andor the background region.
6. The image processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the color compensation unit does not apply histogram equalization to the foreground region but applies histogram equalization to the background region differentially according to depth values of the background region.
7. The image processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the color compensation unit compensates for color distortion of the background region using white balance extracted from the foreground region to which histogram equalization is not applied.
8. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the color compensation unit compensates the color by applying at least one of contrast, saturation, and hue to the foreground region andor the background region.
9. The image processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the color compensation unit increases contrast of the foreground region while reducing contrast of the background region.
10. The image processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the color compensation unit maintains saturation of the foreground region while changing saturation of the background region.
11. The image processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the color compensation unit compensates a hue of the background region with reference to a hue of the foreground region of which saturation is not changed.
12. An image processing apparatus comprising:
an image obtaining unit to obtain a color image and a depth image, in which an object is disposed in a focus region;
a boundary extraction unit to extract a boundary of the object in the depth image; and
a region blur unit to blur a region excluding the boundary of the object in the color image.
13. The image processing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the boundary extraction unit extracts the boundary of the object from the depth image using a depth value of the object disposed in the focus region.
14. An image processing apparatus comprising:
a movement information determination unit to determine movement information between depth images successively obtained for a predetermined time;
a region set unit to set a region including the movement information in the color image to be a focus region; and
a region blur unit to blur a region excluding the focus region in the color image.
15. An image processing apparatus comprising:
an object recognition unit to recognize an object included in a focus region;
a region adjustment unit to adjust an object region using depth information according to movement information of the object; and
a region blur unit to blur a region excluding the adjusted object region in the color image.
16. The image processing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the region adjustment unit reduces size of the object region when the depth information according to the movement information increases.
17. The image processing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the region adjustment unit increases size of the object region when the depth information according to the movement information decreases.
18. An image processing method comprising:
determining a foreground region and a background region in a color image using a depth image; and
compensating a color with respect to the foreground region and the background region.
19. The image processing method of claim 18, wherein the determining comprises determining the foreground region and the background region in the color image using a depth histogram related to a depth value of the depth image.
20. The image processing method of claim 18, wherein the determining comprises determining a region having an approximate depth value of a person in the depth image to be the foreground region when the person is included in the color image.
21. The image processing method of claim 18, wherein the determining comprises recognizing a face of a person included in the color image and determining a region having an approximate depth value of the face of the depth image to be the foreground region.
22. The image processing method of claim 18, wherein the compensating comprises applying histogram equalization and white balance adjustment to the foreground region andor the background region.
23. The image processing method of claim 22, wherein the compensating comprises not applying histogram equalization to the foreground region but applying histogram equalization to the background region differentially according to depth values of the background region.
24. The image processing method of claim 22, wherein the compensating comprises compensating for color distortion of the background region using white balance extracted from the foreground region to which histogram equalization is not applied.
25. The image processing method of claim 18, wherein the compensating comprises compensating the color by applying at least one of contrast, saturation, and hue to the foreground region andor the background region.
26. The image processing method of claim 25, wherein the compensating comprises increasing contrast of the foreground region while reducing contrast of the background region.
27. The image processing method of claim 25, wherein the compensating comprises maintaining saturation of the foreground region while changing saturation of the background region.
28. The image processing method of claim 25, wherein the compensating comprises compensating a hue of the background region with reference to a hue of the foreground region of which saturation is not changed.
29. An image processing method comprising:
obtaining a color image and a depth image, in which an object is disposed in a focus region;
extracting a boundary of the object in the depth image; and
blurring a region excluding the boundary of the object in the color image.
30. The image processing method of claim 29, wherein the extracting comprises extracting the boundary of the object from the depth image using a depth value of the object disposed in the focus region.
31. An image processing method comprising:
determining movement information between depth images successively obtained for a predetermined time;
setting a region including the movement information in the color image to be a focus region; and
blurring a region excluding the focus region in the color image.
32. An image processing method comprising:
recognizing an object included in a focus region;
adjusting an object region using depth information according to movement information of the object; and
blurring a region excluding the adjusted object region in the color image.
33. The image processing method of claim 32, wherein the adjusting comprises reducing size of the object region when the depth information according to the movement information increases.
34. The image processing method of claim 32, wherein the adjusting comprises increasing size of the object region when the depth information according to the movement information decreases.
35. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program to cause a computer to implement the method of claim 18.
36. The image processing apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:
a region determination unit to determine a foreground region and a background region in the color image using a depth image; and
a color compensation unit to compensate a color with respect to the foreground region and the background region.
37. The image processing apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:
a region determination unit to determine a foreground region and a background region in the successively obtained color images using successively obtained depth images; and
a color compensation unit to compensate a color with respect to the foreground region and the background region.
38. The image processing apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:
a region determination unit to determine a foreground region and a background region in the color image using a depth image; and
a color compensation unit to compensate a color with respect to the foreground region and the background region.
39. The image processing method of claim 29, further comprising:
determining a foreground region and a background region in the color image using a depth image; and
compensating a color with respect to the foreground region and the background region.
40. The image processing method of claim 31, further comprising:
determining a foreground region and a background region in the successively obtained color images using successively obtained depth images; and
compensating a color with respect to the foreground region and the background region.
41. The image processing method of claim 32, further comprising:
determining a foreground region and a background region in the color image using a depth image; and
compensating a color with respect to the foreground region and the background region.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A rearview assembly having a front and comprising:
an electrochromic (EC) mirror element, the EC mirror element including:
a first substrate having a first surface corresponding to the front, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a rounded edge configured to improve durability of the first substrate, the second surface having a ring of spectral filter material disposed circumferentially around a perimeter of the second surface;
a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and an edge surface, the second substrate being smaller than the first substrate and disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship with respect to the first substrate such that a perimeter of the second substrate is concealed behind the first substrate the second and third surfaces defining a gap therebetween; and
an EC medium in said gap; and
a moveable mirror-element-supporting assembly mechanically cooperated with the mirror element and configured to support the mirror-element, said assembly including
a substantially rigid portion extending along a back of the mirror element, and
a peripheral portion integrated with the substantially rigid portion, configured to extend from the substantially rigid portion towards the front such as to keep the rounded edge observable and to conceal the edge surface of the second substrate.
2. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, wherein said rounded edge of the first substrate is polished.
3. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface (UI) in a lower portion of the assembly P2, and at least one indicator associated with said UI.
4. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, further comprising first and second conductive layers on the second surface , said first and second conductive layers being substantially electrically separated from each other by a separation area.
5. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, further comprising
a transflective thin-film stack disposed across the third surface; and
a perimeter seal sealingly affixing the first and second substrates to one another around a perimeter of the EC mirror element, said perimeter seal disposed on top of said transflective thin-film stack.
6. A rearview assembly according to claim 5,
wherein the transflective thin-film stack includes at least one electrically-conductive layer that is electrically extended over the edge surface to a back of the EC mirror element through an electrically-conductive section, and
wherein a portion of the electrically-conductive section is encapsulated in at least one of a potting material and a sealant.
7. A rearview assembly according to claim 6, wherein the electrically-conductive section includes a thin-film coating.
8. A rearview assembly according to claim 5, further comprising at least one light sensor behind the transflective thin-film stack.
9. A rearview assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the substantially rigid portion is cooperated with the EC mirror element through an adhesive such as to support the EC mirror element,
wherein the peripheral portion circumscribes the edge surface of the second substrate, and
wherein the rounded edge of the first substrate is unobstructingly observable from the front.
10. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring of spectral filter material has a width of less than 4 mm.
11. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, wherein said ring of spectral filter material has a width of less than 1 mm.
12. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, wherein difference in color characteristics of ambient light reflected from a first portion of the EC mirror element associated with the ring of spectral material and of ambient light reflected by a second portion of the EC mirror element located inside the first portion is less than 10 C* units.
13. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, wherein reflectance of ambient light from a portion of the EC mirror element associated with the ring of spectral filter material exceeds 60 percent.
14. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, further comprising
a user interface (UI) in the lower portion of the assembly;
at least one auxiliary device associated with the rearview assembly; and
an electronic circuitry disposed behind the EC mirror element inside the moveable mirror element supporting assembly and operable to trigger, in response to an input applied to the UI, the at least one auxiliary device.
15. A rearview assembly according to claim 14, further comprising first and second conductive layers on the second surface , said first and second conductive layers being substantially electrically separated from each other by a separation area, wherein at least one of said first and second conductive layers is electrically extended to the electronic circuitry through an electrically conductive member.
16. A rearview assembly according to claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive member includes a thin-film coating.
17. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first substrate has a beveled edge.
18. A rearview assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a light source positioned to project light from the second substrate through the first substrate, an interior illumination assembly, a digital voice processing system, a power supply, a global positioning system, an exterior light control, a moisture detection system, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.
19. A rearview assembly comprising:
an electrochromic (EC) mirror element, the EC mirror element including:
a first substrate having a first surface corresponding to the front, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a rounded edge configured to improve durability of the first substrate, the second surface having a ring of spectral filter material disposed circumferentially around the perimeter of the second surface;
a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces and an edge surface, the second substrate being smaller than the first substrate and disposed in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship behind the first substrate such that a perimeter of the second substrate is unobservable from the first surface, the second and third surfaces defining a gap therebetween; and
an EC medium in said gap; and
a carrier assembly mechanically cooperated with the EC mirror element through an adhesive to support the EC mirror element and configured to circumscribe the edge surface.
20. A rearview assembly according to claim 19, further comprising
a user interface (UI) in the lower portion of the assembly;
at least one auxiliary device associated with the rearview assembly; and
an electronic circuitry disposed behind the EC mirror element inside the moveable mirror element supporting assembly in operable communication with the UI, the electronic circuitry adapted to trigger, in response to an input applied to the UI, the at least one auxiliary device.
21. A rearview assembly according to claim 19, further comprising
a reflective thin-film stack disposed across the third surface to form a reflective layer of the EC mirror element; and
a perimeter seal sealingly affixing the first and second substrates to one another around a perimeter of the EC mirror element, said perimeter seal disposed on top of said transflective thin-film stack,
wherein said reflective thin-film stack is configured to cause the perimeter seal to be visible through the second substrate.
22. A rearview assembly according to claim 21,
wherein the reflective thin-film stack includes at least one electrically-conductive layer that is electrically extended over the edge surface to a back of the EC mirror element through an electrically- conductive section, and
wherein a portion of the electrically-conductive section is encapsulated in at least one of a potting material and a sealant.
23. A rearview assembly according to claim 19, wherein a reflectance of the EC mirror element is greater than 55 percent.
24. A rearview assembly according to claim 19, wherein a difference between intensity of ambient light reflected from a first portion of the EC mirror element, which is associated with the ring of spectral filter material, and intensity of ambient light reflected from a second portion of the EC mirror element, which is located inside the first portion, is less than 10 percentage points.
25. A rearview assembly according to claim 19, wherein a difference between intensity of ambient light reflected from a first portion of the EC mirror element, which is associated with the ring of spectral filter material, and intensity of ambient light reflected from a second portion of the EC mirror element, which is located inside the first portion, is less than 6 percentage points.
26. A rearview assembly according to claim 19, wherein a difference between a color characteristic of ambient light reflected from a first portion of the EC mirror element, which is associated with the ring of spectral filter material, and a color characteristic of ambient light reflected from a second portion of the EC mirror element, which is located inside the first portion, is less than 15 C* units.
27. A rearview assembly according to claim 19, wherein a difference between a color characteristic of ambient light reflected from a first portion of the EC mirror element, which is associated with the ring of spectral filter material, and a color characteristic of ambient light reflected from a second portion of the EC mirror element, which is located inside the first portion, is less than 10 C* units.
28. A rearview assembly according to claim 19 further comprising first and second conductive layers on the second surface, said first and second conductive layers being substantially electrically separated from each other by a separation area, wherein at least one of said first and second conductive layers is electrically extended to the electronic circuitry through an electrically conductive member.
29. A rearview assembly according to claim 19, further comprising at least one of a light source positioned to project light from the second substrate through the first substrate, an interior illumination assembly, a digital voice processing system, a power supply, a global positioning system, an exterior light control, a moisture detection system, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.
30. A vehicular rearview assembly having a front and a front peripheral portion, the assembly comprising:
an EC mirror element including
a front substrate, the front substrate having a first surface that is unobstructingly observable from the front, a rounded edge, and a second surface carrying the first and second electrically-conductive coatings in a peripheral region thereof, the first and second electrically-conductive coatings being electrically separated from one another with a separation area, the first electrically-conductive coating including a ring of opaque material disposed around a perimeter of the second substrate; and
a rear substrate behind the first substrate as viewed from the front, the rear substrate having a third surface, an edge surface, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and further having a reflective thin-film stack deposited on a surface thereof;
a mounting element adapted to support the EC mirror element;
a housing shell defining an inner volume and an aperture corresponding to the front, the housing shell being configured to mechanically engage the mounting element;
an electronic circuitry disposed behind the mirror element inside the housing shell; and
a user interface (UI) in operable communication with said electronic circuitry, the UI containing triggering elements configured to be observable and reachable from the front, the triggering elements corresponding to at least one auxiliary device associated with the rearview assembly,
wherein the electronic circuitry is operable to trigger, in response to an input applied to the UI, the at least one auxiliary device, and
wherein said reflecting thin-film stack includes an electrically-conductive layer that is extended over the edge surface of the EC mirror element through an electrically-conductive member to said electronic circuitry.
31. A rearview assembly according to claim 30, wherein the front peripheral portion has an annular region that is defined around a perimeter thereof and that has a radius of curvature of greater than about 2.5 mm.
32. A rearview assembly according to claim 30, wherein a portion of the electrically-conductive member is encapsulated in at least one of a potting material and a sealant.
33. A rearview assembly according to claim 30, wherein a difference between a first intensity of ambient light reflected from a first portion of the EC mirror element that is associated with the ring of spectral filter material and a second intensity of ambient light reflected from a second portion of the EC mirror element that is located inside the first portion, is less than 10 percentage points.
34. A rearview assembly according to claim 30, wherein a difference between a color characteristic of light reflected from a first portion of the EC mirror element that is associated with the ring of spectral filter material, and a color characteristic of light reflected from a second portion of the EC mirror element that located inside the first portion, is less than 10 C* units.
35. A rearview assembly according to claim 30, further comprising
a perimeter seal sealingly affixing the first and second substrates to one another around a perimeter of the EC mirror element, said perimeter seal disposed on top of said reflective thin-film stack,
wherein said reflective thin-film stack is configured to make the perimeter seal to be visible through the second substrate.
36. A rearview assembly according to claim 35, wherein said perimeter seal includes a port filled with a plug material, and wherein said reflective thin-film stack is configured to make the plug material curable through the second substrate.
37. A rearview assembly according to claim 30, wherein reflectance of ambient light from a portion of the EC mirror element associated with the ring of spectral filter material exceeds 60 percent.
38. A rearview assembly according to claim 30, wherein the front substrate contains a beveled edge.
39. A rearview assembly according to claim 30, further comprising at least one of a light source positioned to project light from the second substrate through the first substrate, an interior illumination assembly, a digital voice processing system, a power supply, a global positioning system, an exterior light control, a moisture detection system, an information display, a light sensor, a blind spot indicator, a turning signal indicator, an approach warning, an operator interface, a compass, a temperature indicator, a voice actuated device, a microphone, a dimming circuitry, a telecommunication system, a navigation aid, a lane departure warning system, an adaptive cruise control, a vision system, a rear vision system and a tunnel detection system.