Image Composition for Adjustable Noise Reduction and Restoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing systems require reconfiguration of subsequent processing stages when changes are made to the intensity settings of previous stages, particularly in noise reduction and image restoration processes, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that includes processors and memory to perform noise reduction and image restoration processes in a way that allows for adjusting intensities without requiring re-execution of subsequent processing stages, using composition units to combine images and adjust intensities dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If noise reduction processing is performed before image restoration processing, then noise is reduced in the image, but when the intensity of the previous stage processing is changed, the setting of subsequent stage processing needs to be performed again

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise in imageVSAvoidtime for reconfiguring subsequent processing stages

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs noise reduction processing on the original image before image restoration processing, creating a pre-processed image that serves as input for subsequent restoration. This preliminary noise reduction enables the restoration algorithm to work more effectively on cleaner data, improving overall processing efficiency and final image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a composition unit that dynamically combines multiple images (original image, image after noise reduction, image after restoration) with adjustable composition ratios. This allows the intensity and effect of each processing stage to be flexibly controlled and adjusted without requiring complete reconfiguration of subsequent stages, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction effectiveness and processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple processing stages are executed sequentially, then each stage can be optimized independently, but the overall processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing quality at each stageVSAvoidimage processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple processing results by combining the original image, the noise-reduced image, and the restored image through a composition unit. This merging approach allows the system to leverage the benefits of each independent processing stage while producing a final composite result that maintains high quality without requiring sequential execution of all stages at full intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies processing at different intensities and selectively combines results. The composition unit allows partial application of noise reduction and restoration effects by adjusting composition ratios, enabling the system to achieve sufficient processing quality without always executing all stages at maximum intensity, thus improving overall processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If processing intensity is increased to improve noise reduction, then noise reduction effectiveness improves, but the complexity of adjusting subsequent processing settings increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidprocessing configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The composition unit serves multiple functions: it combines images from different processing stages, adjusts composition ratios to control effective processing intensity, and provides a unified interface for managing the overall processing effect. This multi-functional component simplifies the user interface and configuration management while maintaining the ability to apply strong noise reduction when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12573011B2Apparatus that performs processing for noise reduction and method

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 CANON KK

AI summary

An apparatus includes at least one processor, and a memory coupled to the at least one processor storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to function as a first processing unit, a second processing unit, and a composition unit, wherein the first processing unit performs first processing on a first image to generate a second image, wherein the second processing unit performs second processing on the first image and the second image to generate a third image and a fourth image, and wherein the composition unit performs composition on the second image and the fourth image to generate a fifth image, performs composition on the first image and the third image to generate a sixth image, and performs composition on the fifth image and the sixth image to generate a seventh image.