Image Processing Device Using Depth Information for Moving Image Editing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current moving image editing processes are complex, time-consuming, and require high skill, especially when changing backgrounds or adding image effects, as they often rely on special techniques or editing software, and motion capture methods are not easily applicable due to the need for advanced processes like marker usage.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that generates and adds additional images to moving image data using depth information, allowing for real-time editing by adjusting the size and perspective of additional images based on their insertion position, reflecting the front-rear relationship and movement of objects within the moving image.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If special imaging techniques or editing software are used to change background and add image effects, then image editing quality is improved, but operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage editing qualityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical editing operations with automatic image processing based on depth information. The system automatically determines synthesis positions and performs blending operations using depth maps, eliminating the need for manual positioning and complex software operations while maintaining high editing quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service editing by automatically analyzing depth information from multiple images and performing synthesis operations without user intervention. The automatic determination of synthesis positions and depth-based blending allows the system to serve itself in the editing process, reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If motion capture with markers is used to add image effects in real time, then editing effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to advanced processes required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveediting effectivenessVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes depth information from images to perform real-time synthesis effects without requiring motion capture markers or advanced processing techniques. By extracting depth data directly from the image content, the system achieves real-time effectiveness while simplifying the operational process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates depth maps as copies of the original images, using these depth representations to perform synthesis operations. This copying approach enables real-time processing without the need for complex motion capture equipment or marker-based tracking systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If depth information is used to adjust additional image size and perspective, then natural integration of additional images is achieved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration naturalnessVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation by introducing depth maps that encode distance information for each pixel. This parameter transformation allows the system to automatically adjust additional image size and perspective based on depth values, achieving natural integration while the automated processing reduces the perceived complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3787285B1Image processing device, image processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2023.04.12 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3787285B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3787285B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3787285B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To realize a natural image effect and the like in a moving image. Therefore, an image processing unit includes an additional image generation unit configured to generate an additional image to be added to moving image data, and an image editing processing unit configured to perform image editing processing of adding the additional image to the moving image data, using depth information of a pixel in the moving image data to which the additional image is to be added.