Guided Image Filtering Circuit for Color Fringe Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital cameras often suffer from color distortion due to lenses not focusing all colors to a single convergence point, leading to color fringe issues, especially in high-resolution images or detailed shooting, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device equipped with a guided image filtering circuit that uses the green channel as a guidance image to correct the red and blue channels, applying a guided filter to all pixels in the input image, particularly in edge areas, while maintaining channels unchanged in non-edge areas, thereby generating an output image without color fringe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lens is used to capture images, then image capture is enabled, but color distortion occurs because the lens cannot focus all colors to a single convergence point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the green channel image as an intermediary guidance image to correct the red and blue channels. The guided filter uses the green channel (which has accurate focus) as a reference to adjust the red and blue channels, effectively using one channel as a mediator to transfer focus accuracy to the other channels without requiring physical lens modifications.
2Measurement precision
If resolution of digital color images is increased, then image detail is improved, but color distortion becomes worse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by processing different regions of the image differently. The guided filter operates with local windows to correct color fringing in specific areas while preserving the high-resolution details. The correction is applied locally based on the guidance image, allowing high resolution to be maintained while correcting color accuracy issues in problematic regions.
3Manufacturing precision
If existing color fringe removal methods are used, then some color distortion is corrected, but the methods are complex and require color fringe detection processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the green channel serve multiple functions: it acts as both the image to be processed and the guidance image for filtering the red and blue channels. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for separate detection mechanisms, as the green channel itself provides the guidance information needed for correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by having the green channel automatically guide the correction process for red and blue channels without external intervention or separate detection algorithms. The guided filter utilizes the green channel's own structure and edges to determine where and how to correct color fringing, making the system self-regulating and simpler in design.
4Manufacturing precision
If guided filter is applied to all pixels, then color fringe is suppressed effectively, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using the guided filter on all pixels (excessive action to ensure complete coverage) but with the understanding that the green channel guidance naturally limits effective processing to areas where color fringing actually occurs. The guidance mechanism ensures that filtering effort is concentrated where needed, making the excessive application of the filter to all pixels still efficient in practice.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a guided image filtering circuit and an image summation circuit. The guided image filtering circuit is configured to receive an input image including a green channel, a red channel and a blue channel, and to generate a corrected red channel and a corrected blue channel by applying a guided filter with respect to the red channel and the blue channel based on the green channel. The image summation circuit is configured to generate an output image by summing the green channel, the corrected red channel, and the corrected blue channel.