Image Capturing Apparatus Optical Transfer Function Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image capturing technologies face challenges in correctly restoring images due to aberration corrections being performed after color balance and gradation processing, which convert pixel values into non-linear relations, making it difficult to accurately represent the amount of light received by light receiving elements.
Innovation Solution
An image capturing apparatus and method that includes an optical system, a light receiving section, a correcting section, and a non-linear processing section. The correcting section corrects pixel values linearly related to light amounts using the optical transfer function, and the non-linear processing section converts these values into non-linear relations, ensuring accurate image restoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If aberration correction is performed after color balance adjustment and gradation processing, then the processing workflow follows conventional sequence, but the image restoration accuracy deteriorates because pixel values are no longer linearly related to light amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing aberration correction before color balance adjustment and gradation processing. The correcting section restores the image using the optical transfer function while pixel values are still linearly related to light amounts, ensuring accurate restoration. Only after this correction are the pixel values converted to non-linear relationships through color balance and gradation processing.
2Productivity
If color balance adjustment and gradation processing are performed before aberration correction, then the processing follows conventional sequence, but the pixel values become non-linearly related to light amounts making correct restoration impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorders the processing sequence to perform aberration correction as a preliminary step before color balance and gradation processing. This ensures that the restoration is performed on linear pixel values that accurately represent light amounts, maintaining both reliability and processing efficiency.
3Device complexity
If aberration correction is performed on pixel values that have been converted to non-linear relationships, then the processing can be done later in the workflow, but the restoration cannot correctly represent the original light amounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs aberration correction as a preliminary action before any non-linear processing occurs. This preserves the linear relationship between pixel values and light amounts during the restoration process, preventing loss of light amount information. The non-linear conversions are applied only after the restoration is complete.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables correct restoration of images by performing aberration corrections based on the optical transfer function before non-linear processing, preventing artifacts and ensuring accurate representation of light amounts received by light receiving elements.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system, a light receiving section that includes a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving the light from the subject that is focused by the optical system
Data Source
AI summary
An image capturing apparatus includes an optical system that focuses light from a subject, a light receiving section that includes a plurality of light receiving elements for receiving the light from the subject that is focused by the optical system, a correcting section that corrects, in accordance with an optical transfer function of the optical system, a plurality of pixel values that are linearly related to amounts of the light received by the plurality of light receiving elements, and a non-linear processing section that converts the plurality of pixel values that have been corrected by the correcting section into a plurality of pixel values that are non-linearly related to the amounts of the light received by the plurality of light receiving elements.