Background Adjustment Component for Image Artifact Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies face challenges in background suppression, particularly with images having poor contrast between foreground and background, leading to artifacts like 'punch-through' in halftone and highlight regions, due to limitations in processing capabilities and threshold-based segmentation algorithms.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system and method that computes background strength and luminance strength for each pixel, adjusting luminance and chrominance values to minimize artifacts, using a background adjustment component that processes pixels in a non-uniform manner to drive potential background pixels towards 'pure white' based on their background and luminance strengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If threshold-based segmentation algorithms are used for background suppression, then processing speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to abrupt switching artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fixed threshold parameters to dynamic parameter adjustment based on local image characteristics. The algorithm computes background strength and luminance strength as variable parameters for each pixel, allowing continuous adjustment rather than binary classification. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both fast processing (through efficient parameter computation) and high image quality (through artifact minimization via continuous parameter variation).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic parameter adjustment where background strength and luminance strength are computed for each pixel based on local image characteristics. This dynamic approach replaces static threshold values, allowing the algorithm to adapt to varying image conditions while maintaining processing efficiency. The dynamic parameters enable continuous adjustment of background suppression intensity, preventing abrupt switching artifacts while preserving processing speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex background suppression algorithms are used, then image quality is improved, but processing capability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing task into distinct computational stages: background strength computation, luminance strength computation, and adjusted value calculation. Each stage processes local pixel characteristics independently, allowing the complex algorithm to be broken down into manageable operations that can be efficiently implemented in hardware or software. This segmentation enables high image quality through sophisticated local analysis while maintaining reasonable processing capability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality analysis by computing background strength and luminance strength specifically for pixels in background regions rather than uniformly processing the entire image. This localized approach concentrates computational resources where they are most needed (in background suppression areas) while reducing overall processing complexity. The algorithm adapts processing intensity to local image characteristics, improving quality where required without unnecessarily increasing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If high bit-per-pixel output is used, then image quality is improved, but artifacts become more noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the computed background strength and luminance strength values are used to dynamically adjust the suppression applied to each pixel. This feedback loop ensures that high bit-per-pixel output quality is maintained while artifact visibility is minimized through adaptive adjustment. The algorithm uses the calculated parameters to modulate the suppression intensity, creating a self-regulating system that optimizes both quality and artifact reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device and method are provided for adjusting background pixels of an image. The device includes memory which stores a background adjustment component which for each of a plurality of pixels of an input image: computes a background strength of the pixel; computes a luminance strength of the pixel; and computes adjusted luminance and adjusted chrominance values for the pixel, as a function of the background strength and luminance strength of the pixel. An image output component outputs an output image derived from the adjusted luminance and adjusted chrominance values for the plurality of pixels, A processor implements the background adjustment component and image output component.