Digital Zoom on Bayer Pattern Images

Solution Overview

Problem

Digital zoom techniques in image acquisition devices often result in image degradation due to pixel interpolation, and there is a need for a method that minimizes this degradation while being compatible with limited hardware resources, such as those found in smartphones.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves performing digital zoom directly on the Bayer format image before demosaicing, using local demosaicing and adaptive interpolation methods to reconstruct a full-color image, which allows for continuous zooming with minimal image degradation and efficient use of hardware resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital zoom is performed by cropping and resizing a full color image, then zoom capability is achieved, but image quality degrades due to pixel interpolation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezoom capabilityVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs demosaicing on the cropped region before resizing, rather than after. This preliminary processing of the cropped Bayer data allows interpolation to occur at the native resolution, preserving image quality while enabling digital zoom. The key insight is to prepare the image data in advance at the correct location and resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional processing order by performing demosaicing before cropping and resizing operations. Instead of cropping a full-color image and then demosaicing, the method crops the Bayer pattern data first, then applies demosaicing algorithms to the cropped region, and finally resizes. This reversal of the processing sequence eliminates interpolation artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital zoom is performed on full color images, then zoom capability is achieved, but hardware resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvezoom capabilityVSAvoidhardware resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs demosaicing on the cropped region before resizing, rather than after. This preliminary processing of the cropped Bayer data allows interpolation to occur at the native resolution, preserving image quality while enabling digital zoom. The key insight is to prepare the image data in advance at the correct location and resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional processing order by performing demosaicing before cropping and resizing operations. Instead of cropping a full-color image and then demosaicing, the method crops the Bayer pattern data first, then applies demosaicing algorithms to the cropped region, and finally resizes. This reversal of the processing sequence eliminates interpolation artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8482636B2Digital zoom on bayer

Publication Date: 2013.07.09 ADEIA IMAGING LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for performing a digital zoom operation on an input Bayer format image is provided, the output of the digital zoom operation being a second Bayer format image corresponding to the input Bayer format imaged enlarged by a zoom factor.