Display Image Error Detection Using Visibility and Shape Indices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing error detection methods, such as CRC, are inadequate for detecting errors in display images after image processing, as they cannot effectively identify subtle changes that may affect user recognition of icons or images, and bit-wise error detection is not suitable for determining errors that impact image recognition.

Innovation Solution

A circuit device and method that acquire image data, perform image processing, and calculate indices representing the degree of dissimilarity or matching between foreground and background images based on pixel values, allowing for error detection by comparing these indices with threshold values, enabling the detection of errors that affect image visibility and shape recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bit-wise error detection such as CRC is used, then data transmission errors can be detected, but it cannot effectively detect subtle errors that affect user recognition of displayed images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection capabilityVSAvoiderror detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from bit-level CRC values to human-perceptual parameters including visibility indices (measuring whether icons are visible against background) and shape indices (measuring whether icon shapes are recognizable). This transformation aligns the error detection with actual user recognition needs rather than raw data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical bit-wise comparison system (CRC) with a perceptual analysis system that evaluates image characteristics. Instead of checking whether bits match, the system analyzes whether the displayed image maintains its visual properties (visibility and shape recognition) after processing, substituting mechanical error checking with perceptual quality assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If CRC error detection is performed on received image data, then data integrity can be verified, but error detection cannot be performed after image processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrity verificationVSAvoiderror detection applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by calculating visibility indices and shape indices at multiple stages: before image processing (on original image data), during processing (on intermediate images), and after processing (on final display image). This allows error detection to be applied at any point in the processing pipeline, not just at the reception stage as with CRC.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal error detection mechanism that can be applied to any image processing operation. The visibility and shape indices can evaluate errors in various processing scenarios (scaling, color conversion, compression) without requiring different detection methods, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to different processing pipelines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If one-bit errors are detected in image data, then data transmission errors can be identified, but the displayed image does not substantially differ from the original image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror detection sensitivityVSAvoiduser recognition error

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality assessment by evaluating specific critical regions of the image rather than treating all pixels equally. The visibility index focuses on whether icons (important foreground elements) are visible against their background, and the shape index focuses on whether icon shapes are recognizable. This localized evaluation identifies errors that matter to user recognition rather than detecting all bit errors uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the limitation of human visual insensitivity to one-bit errors into a benefit by designing detection metrics that match human perception thresholds. Instead of trying to detect all bit errors (including those humans can't see), the system detects errors that actually affect user recognition, turning the weakness of human vision into a useful filtering mechanism for meaningful error detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11354186B2Circuit device, electronic apparatus, and error detection method using at least an index indicating similarity between foreground image and reference image

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a circuit device for detecting error on a display image obtained by image processing. The circuit device includes an image acquisition circuit configured to acquire image data, an image processing circuit configured to perform image processing on the image data to obtain a display image, and an index acquisition circuit configured to obtain an index for performing error detection on the display image. The index represents a degree of matching between a foreground image, which is an image of a given region of the display image, and a reference image, which is a reference with respect to the foreground image. The index is obtained based on pixel values of the display image and pixel values of the reference image or based on pixel values of an edge image of the display image and pixel values of an edge image of the reference image.