Image Processing Apparatus Emulating Night Vision Characteristics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods fail to precisely emulate images generated by night vision or thermal imaging apparatuses due to issues like delay, brightness feedback, low resolution, limited field of view, and vignetting, making it difficult to accurately display images without the actual apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that includes an input unit for electromagnetic waves, an output unit to emulate images by limiting spatial frequency, storing images for a predetermined time, and adjusting light levels, effectively replicating the characteristics of night vision or thermal imaging apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If noise is added to the image to emulate night vision apparatus, then the image can be displayed to persons not using the apparatus, but the emulation precision is insufficient because other characteristics like delay, brightness feedback, low resolution, limited field of view, and vignetting are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the emulation process into multiple independent processing modules: spatial frequency filtering for resolution emulation, temporal storage for delay emulation, light amount adjustment for brightness feedback and vignetting emulation, and field of view limiting. Each module handles one specific characteristic, allowing precise emulation of multiple features simultaneously without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple image parameters independently: spatial frequency cutoff for resolution, temporal delay for timing characteristics, light amount multiplication for brightness feedback, and field of view masking for viewing limits. By adjusting these parameters separately, the system achieves precise emulation of night vision apparatus characteristics while maintaining manageable processing complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple processing steps are applied to emulate night vision characteristics, then image representation accuracy improves, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies processing operations in a predetermined sequence optimized for computational efficiency: spatial frequency filtering is applied first to reduce data complexity, followed by temporal storage for delay emulation, then light amount adjustment, and finally field of view limiting. This preliminary ordering of operations minimizes overall processing time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies processing only to the extent necessary for accurate emulation of specific characteristics. For example, spatial frequency filtering is applied only to the degree needed to match the apparatus's resolution, and field of view limiting is applied only to the specific viewing angles relevant to the night vision device. This partial application of processing reduces unnecessary computational load while maintaining required accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to input a first image generated based on an electromagnetic wave other than visible light, an output unit configured to output a second image as an image obtained by emulating a displayed image using a night vision apparatus or a thermal imaging apparatus based on the first image, and a display processing unit configured to perform processing to cause a display unit to display the second image, wherein the output unit outputs, as the second image, an image obtained by performing at least one of processing to limit a spatial frequency band of the first image, processing to output the first image after storing the first image for a predetermined time, and processing to limit an amount of light of at least a partial region of the first image.