Adaptive Noise Reduction in Image Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies fail to adapt noise-reduction processing strength effectively based on the distance and sensitivity of areas within an image, particularly neglecting the varying sensitivity of image quality across different regions such as faces and backgrounds.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus comprising a detection unit, a strength determination unit, and a processor that detects areas in an image and determines processing strength based on the distance from the detected area to the processing location, allowing for tailored noise-reduction processing suitable for each region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If noise-reduction processing is applied uniformly across the entire image, then noise is reduced in all areas, but image quality in sensitive regions like faces deteriorates due to excessive processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing strengths to different regions of the image based on their sensitivity. Face regions and other sensitive areas are identified and processed with lower noise-reduction strength, while non-sensitive background areas receive higher processing strength. This resolves the contradiction by making the processing adaptive to local image characteristics rather than uniform across the entire image.
Solution Approach 2:
The image is segmented into different regions based on sensitivity characteristics. The detection unit identifies sensitive regions such as faces, and the processing is divided into different strength levels for different segments. This allows noise reduction to be applied differently to each segment, preventing quality deterioration in sensitive areas while effectively reducing noise in non-sensitive areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If noise-reduction processing strength is increased to improve overall image quality, then noise is reduced more effectively, but detailed information in the image is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different processing strengths are applied to different regions based on their importance and sensitivity. Sensitive regions like faces maintain higher detail information with lower processing strength, while non-sensitive regions accept higher processing strength for more effective noise reduction. This resolves the information loss contradiction by preserving details where needed while removing noise where acceptable.
3Loss of information
If processing strength is reduced to preserve image details, then detailed information is maintained, but noise reduction effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The image is divided into sensitive and non-sensitive regions, allowing different processing strategies for each segment. Non-sensitive regions receive stronger noise reduction processing without affecting important details, while sensitive regions receive lighter processing to preserve details. This resolves the contradiction by applying appropriate processing strength to each segment based on its characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an image processing apparatus including a detection unit, a strength determination unit, and a processor. The detection unit is configured to detect at least one area in an image. The strength determination unit is configured to determine strength of processing for a unit of processing of the image, based on a distance between a location of the area being detected by the detection unit and a location of the unit of processing of the image. The processor is configured to perform the processing on the image, per the unit of processing, at the strength being determined by the strength determination unit.