Image Edge Width Consistency During Resolution Enhancement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing techniques fail to maintain a consistent edge width for objects in enlarged or resolution-enhanced images, affecting the appearance of the image.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that includes a determination portion to detect edges in both original and enlarged images, and a correction portion to adjust pixel attributes to maintain a consistent edge width, using a specific scaling factor and M×N filters to refine edge attributes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If image enlargement or resolution improvement is performed after edge enhancement, then the number of pixels is increased, but the edge width becomes inconsistent and increases with object size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedge width consistencyVSAvoidedge appearance quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies edge correction processing before image enlargement or resolution improvement. By detecting edges in the original image and correcting their attributes (such as making them thinner or darker) in advance, the patent ensures that when the image is subsequently enlarged, the edges maintain consistent width and appearance quality. This preliminary correction prevents the edge width inconsistency problem that would otherwise occur during enlargement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If conventional edge enhancement is performed, then edge definition is improved, but edge width varies depending on object size in enlarged images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedge definitionVSAvoidedge width consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs edge detection and attribute correction in the original image before enlargement. By adjusting edge properties (thinning, darkening) in advance based on detected edge positions, the patent ensures uniform edge appearance in the enlarged image, preventing size-dependent edge width variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes edge attributes (width, darkness, contrast) in the original image before enlargement. By modifying these parameters preliminarily, the patent compensates for the upcoming enlargement effect, ensuring that edges maintain consistent visual properties in the final enlarged image regardless of object size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8554007B2Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program

Publication Date: 2013.10.08 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes a storage that stores, therein, edge position data indicating the position of a first edge image that represents a first edge of a first object image representing an object in a first image, a determination portion that detects a second edge image based on the edge position data and a specific scaling factor, the second edge image representing a second edge of a second object image that represents the object in a second image, the second image being obtained by modifying the size or the resolution of the first image by increasing the number of pixels by α times (α>1) corresponding to the scaling factor, the second edge having a width equal to that of the first edge, and a removal portion that performs a process for deleting an edge of an inner area surrounded by the second edge image.