Adaptive Sharpness Correction Using Edge Analysis to Reduce Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sharpness enhancing methods for image display devices apply uniform enhancement across images, leading to noise generation due to varying image characteristics, as they do not consider specific characteristics at different positions within an image.

Innovation Solution

A sharpness enhancing apparatus and method that includes an edge analyzing unit to determine edge states and a sharpness correcting unit to calculate a sharpness correction amount using a mask operation, which adjusts the sharpness based on edge states and brightness signals, ensuring optimized definition by differentiating enhancement degrees according to image characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If uniform sharpness enhancement is applied to the whole image, then processing simplicity is maintained, but noise is generated due to varying image characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidnoise generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different sharpness enhancement degrees to different regions of the image based on local characteristics. The edge analyzing unit identifies edge states in specific areas, and the sharpness correcting unit adjusts enhancement parameters accordingly, making each region receive appropriate processing intensity rather than uniform enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the image processing into multiple stages: edge analysis in a first specific area, determination of edge state, selection of enhancement parameters based on edge state, and application to a second specific area. This segmented approach allows different processing strategies for different image regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If different enhancement degrees are applied according to image characteristics, then sharpness is optimized, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesharpness optimizationVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs edge analysis and determines edge states in a first specific area before applying sharpness enhancement to the second specific area. This preliminary analysis allows the system to pre-determine appropriate enhancement parameters based on actual image characteristics, optimizing sharpness while managing complexity through staged processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The edge analyzing unit and edge state determination act as intermediaries between the raw image data and the sharpness enhancement process. This intermediary step analyzes image characteristics and translates them into appropriate enhancement parameters, bridging the gap between simple processing and optimized results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If sharpness enhancement is applied without considering image characteristics, then processing speed is maintained, but image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidimage quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes processing parameters based on image characteristics. The edge state determination leads to selection of different enhancement parameters (such as enhancement degree and mask type) according to the analyzed edge characteristics, allowing adaptive optimization without significantly impacting processing speed through efficient parameter selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2184913B1Sharpness enhancing apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 MAGNACHIP SEMICON LTD
  • EP2184913B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2184913B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2184913B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A sharpness enhancing apparatus include: an edge analyzing unit configured to receive image data separated into brightness signals and color signals, and analyze an edge state by using brightness signals and color signals of cells contained in a specific area; and a sharpness correcting unit configured to calculate a sharpness correction amount by performing a mask operation on a sharpen mask, which is set according to the edge state, and the brightness signals of the cells, sum the calculated sharpness correction amount and the brightness signals of the cells, and correct sharpness of the brightness signals of the cells.