Intelligent systems and methods for processing image data based upon anticipated regions of visual interest

Abstract

Systems and methods for performing intelligent image processing. Image processing systems and methods in accordance with the present invention may select algorithms for processing collections of images by comparing algorithmic region of interest (aROI) data to stored human visual region of interest (hROI) data to select from a database of available transformation algorithms an optimal algorithm or group of algorithms to be used in transforming data comprising the collection or collections of images. The selected algorithm(s) may then be used, for example, in data compression, image enhancement or database query functions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for identifying algorithmic regions of interest within an image, said method comprising the steps of: 
 applying an image transformation function to a set of data representative of said image to thereby obtain a data set representative of a transformed image,    applying a thresholding function to said data set representative of said transformed image to thereby obtain data representative of a plurality of local maxima within said image, and    iteratively applying a clustering algorithm to said data representative of said local maxima to identify a plurality of algorithmic regions of interest within said image.    
     
     
         2 . A method for processing image data, said method comprising the steps of: 
 establishing for at least one image type a correlation between a plurality of algorithmic regions of interest developed by a respective plurality of transformation algorithms and at least one set of human visual regions of interest;    selecting a transformation algorithm for processing data representative of an image based upon an image type and said correlation; and    transforming said image data from a first domain to a second domain using said selected transformation algorithm.    
     
     
         3 . A method for selecting image transformation functions for image processing applications, said method comprising the steps of: 
 storing within a memory at least one data set descriptive of human visual regions of interest for at least one type of image;    applying a plurality of image transformation functions to an image corresponding to said at least one type of image to derive a plurality of respective data sets comprising local maxima;    applying clustering functions to said plurality of respective data sets comprising said local maxima to derive a plurality of respective data sets comprising algorithmic regions of interest within said image; and    comparing said respective data sets comprising said algorithmic regions of interest to said at least one data set descriptive of said human visual regions of interest to select a transformation function for processing additional images corresponding to said at least one type of image.    
     
     
         4 . A system for processing image data comprising: 
 an image processing engine comprising a central processing unit, memory and an image processing program stored within said memory, said image processing program including,    a database of image transformation functions,    code for applying said image transformation functions stored within said database to a sample image from a collection of images to develop a plurality of transformed images corresponding to said sample image;    code for applying a thresholding algorithm to said respective transformed images to identify respective sets of local maxima within said transformed images;    code for applying a clustering algorithm to said respective sets of local maxima to identify sets of algorithmic regions of interest within said transformed images;    code for comparing said sets of algorithmic regions of interest to predetermined human regions of visual interest for said sample image to select from said database of image transformation functions a preferred image transformation function; and    code for applying said selected preferred image transformation function to a remainder of images within said collection of images when said collection of images is to be processed.    
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said image processing engine is used to perform a function selected from the group of image compression, image query, and image enhancement.  
     
     
         6 . A system for processing image data comprising: 
 an image processing engine comprising a central processing unit, memory and an image processing program stored within said memory, said image processing program including, 
 a database of image transformation functions,  
 code for applying said image transformation functions stored within said database to a sample image from a collection of images to develop a plurality of transformed images corresponding to said sample image;  
 code for applying a thresholding algorithm to said respective transformed images to identify respective sets of local maxima within said transformed images;  
 code for applying a clustering algorithm to said respective sets of local maxima to identify sets of algorithmic regions of interest within said transformed images;  
 code for comparing said sets of algorithmic regions of interest to predetermined human regions of visual interest for images of a similar type to said sample to identify from said database of image transformation functions a preferred image transformation function; and  
 code for applying said preferred image transformation function to a remainder of images within said collection of images when said collection of images is to be processed.  
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said image processing engine is used to perform a function selected from the group of image compression, image query, and image enhancement.  
     
     
         8 . A system for processing image data comprising: 
 an image processing engine comprising a central processing unit, memory and an image processing program stored within said memory, said image processing program including, 
 a database of image transformation functions,  
 code for comparing stored sets of algorithmic regions of interest for a particular type of image collection to be processed to at least one stored set of human regions of visual interest for said particular type of image collection to be processed to identify from said database of image transformation functions a preferred image transformation function; and  
 code for applying said preferred image transformation function to images within said collection of images when said collection of images is to be processed.  
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said image processing engine is used to perform a function selected from the group of image compression, image query, and image enhancement.  
     
     
         10 . A system for processing image data comprising: 
 an image processing engine comprising a central processing unit, memory and an image processing program stored within said memory, said image processing program including, 
 a database of image transformation functions,  
 code for selecting an image transformation function to be used in performing a predetermined image processing task based upon a correlation between stored algorithmic region of interest data and human visual region of interest data for said task; and  
 code for applying said selected image transformation function to images within a collection of images that are to be processed in accordance with said task.