Digital Image Illumination Control With Physics-Guided Diffusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generative models lack effective control over illumination in digital images, and existing renderers have limited capabilities in managing illumination conditions, particularly in physics-based scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method combining physics-guided and training-free diffusion techniques to control illumination in digital images, utilizing a device with a processor and storage to execute instructions that manipulate pixel and geometry properties for precise illumination editing, without requiring additional training or data labels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If generative models are used to synthesize digital images from text prompts, then image generation capability is improved, but control over illumination is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage generation capabilityVSAvoidillumination control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image editing process into two distinct components: a diffusion model for image generation and a separate renderer for illumination control. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its strength while communicating through intermediate representations, resolving the contradiction between generation capability and illumination control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary renderer that acts as a bridge between the diffusion model and the final illuminated image. The renderer receives latent representations from the diffusion model and applies physics-based illumination control, enabling both strong generation capability and precise illumination control without requiring the diffusion model itself to be retrained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If renderers are used to control physics and illumination, then illumination control capability is improved, but integration with diffusion models is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination control capabilityVSAvoidintegration with diffusion models
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent operates in two different dimensional spaces: the latent space of the diffusion model and the pixel space of the renderer. By transforming operations between these dimensions, the patent enables integration of physics-based rendering with diffusion models without requiring complex modifications to either system's core architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The renderer is designed as a universal component that can process outputs from any diffusion model and apply consistent physics-based illumination control. This multi-functionality allows the same illumination control mechanism to work across different image generation models without requiring model-specific customization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If physics-based rendering is used for illumination control, then illumination accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-computing lighting scenes and storing them as latent representations before the actual image generation process. This allows the physics-based illumination to be applied efficiently during generation without requiring complex real-time physics calculations, reducing computational complexity while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250322543A1Device and method for controlling an illumination in a digital image
Publication Date: 2025.10.16 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • US20250322543A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for controlling an illumination in a digital image. The method includes providing target illumination properties that include the target brightnesses of pixels of the digital image; determining the digital image that optimizes a first similarity metric that depends on the target illumination properties and on illumination properties that comprise the brightnesses of the pixels of the digital image.