Fast Gradient Solver for Interactive Image Compositing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image compositing techniques are computationally complex, time-consuming, and require precise user input for extracting and combining image elements, making them inefficient for real-time composition and editing.

Innovation Solution

An interactive image compositing system that integrates visual search capabilities, non-destructive editing, and a fast gradient solver for real-time image composition, allowing users to search, select, and edit images with a sketch-and-refine approach, employing a two-stage rendering model for efficient image merging and modification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If pixel-level accuracy techniques are used for image matting and composition, then extraction and placement quality is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage extraction accuracyVSAvoidcompositing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing task into multiple stages: a fast approximate stage using gradient domain techniques for real-time interaction, and a refinement stage for final precision. This allows the system to provide quick preliminary results while maintaining the option for high-precision processing when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using simplified gradient-based methods instead of complete pixel-level algorithms for the initial compositing operation. This partial approach provides sufficient visual quality for real-time editing while dramatically reducing computational requirements compared to full pixel-level processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional image compositing techniques are used, then extraction and insertion operations can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompositing capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical pixel-level processing with gradient domain techniques that operate on color and intensity gradients. This substitution fundamentally changes the computational approach, enabling real-time performance while maintaining compositing capability through gradient-based blending operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise user input is required for image compositing, then output quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompositing qualityVSAvoiduser input requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by having the system automatically perform gradient domain processing and blending operations without requiring precise manual input from the user. The automated gradient-based algorithms handle the complex computation, allowing users to simply provide high-level guidance while the system manages the technical details.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If non-destructive editing model is implemented, then flexibility and editability are improved, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveediting flexibilityVSAvoidediting model complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces gradient domain representations as an intermediary between the original images and the final composite output. This intermediary layer enables non-destructive editing by storing gradient information that can be reprocessed multiple times without modifying the original images, thus providing editing flexibility while managing computational complexity through efficient gradient-based operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9058699B2System and method for image composition using non-destructive editing model and fast gradient solver

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 ADOBE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for interactive image compositing may integrate image searching using visual search criteria (e.g., color, composition, tonal distribution, or lighting effects), non-destructive image compositing, and high-performance rendering using a fast gradient solver to provide an efficient workflow for users. An image compositing application, executable by a CPU and/or GPU, may employ a sketch-and-refine approach, whereby a user draws a rough perimeter around an object of interest in an image and (following an initial application of the fast gradient solver to a lower-resolution version of the image) receives a preview of how it would fit into a composition. The fast gradient solver may differentiate between the object and its background by applying artificial intelligence techniques and/or dependent on user-supplied hints. In a second stage, the fast gradient solver may refine the solution for a final rendering of the composite image by operating on successively higher-resolution versions of the image.