Image Processing Device Abnormal Region Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for extracting abnormal regions from images, particularly those involving visible light and near-infrared imaging, face challenges in accurately distinguishing abnormalities due to differences in focus positions and blurriness between visible light and near-infrared images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that acquires both visible and near-infrared images, generates mask images to identify abnormal regions on the surface and inside a subject, and adjusts the focus position using an optical filter switching mechanism and in-focus position adjustment lens to enhance the extraction of abnormal regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If visible light and near-infrared light images are captured at different focal positions, then the depth of field coverage is improved, but the measurement precision of abnormal regions deteriorates due to blurriness differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image processing by generating mask images that identify abnormal regions before final extraction. The mask images are created by comparing visible light and near-infrared images captured at different focal positions, allowing the system to pre-identify where abnormalities exist and then extract only those regions with high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image processing into distinct stages: first generating mask images to identify abnormal regions, then extracting only those segmented abnormal regions from the original images. This segmentation allows different processing strategies to be applied to different regions - mask generation handles the broad coverage needs while extraction handles the precision needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wavelength range images are captured to detect both surface and internal abnormalities, then the detection coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging system multi-functional by capturing images in multiple wavelength ranges (visible light and near-infrared) using the same imaging device. The visible light images detect surface abnormalities while near-infrared images detect internal abnormalities, allowing one device to perform multiple detection functions without requiring separate specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the detection of surface and internal abnormalities into a unified processing framework. By combining mask images from different wavelength ranges and integrating them through logical operations, the system consolidates multiple detection capabilities into a single coordinated system that manages complexity through unified processing rather than separate independent systems.
3Measurement precision
If mask images are generated from images captured at different focal positions, then the abnormal region identification capability is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing by generating mask images that highlight abnormal regions before final extraction. These mask images are created by comparing images from different focal positions and wavelength ranges, preprocessing the data to identify where abnormalities exist so that subsequent extraction can focus only on those regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly extracting abnormal regions from complex multi-wavelength multi-focus images, the patent inverts the approach by first creating simplified mask images that show only abnormal regions, then using these masks to extract the actual abnormal regions. This inversion simplifies the processing by working with binary mask data rather than full-color multi-layer images.
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
This approach allows for accurate extraction of abnormal regions by compensating for focus differences between visible light and near-infrared images, improving the detection of surface and internal abnormalities with enhanced precision.
Implementation Method 1
adjusts the focus position using an optical filter switching mechanism and in-focus position adjustment lens
Implementation Method 2
acquires a visible image of a subject captured with light in a first wavelength range including a visible light wavelength range... acquires a first near-infrared image of the subject captured with light in a second wavelength range that includes a near-infrared light wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an image processing device, an imaging apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of accurately extracting an abnormal region of a subject from an image. In the image processing device according to one aspect of the present invention, a processor generates a first mask image showing a first region where an abnormality exists on a surface of a subject and a second region including a region where an abnormality exists inside the subject, based on a visible image and a first near-infrared image, acquires a second near-infrared image of the subject captured with light in a second wavelength range in a state where the subject is held in focus with the light in the second wavelength range, and extracts an abnormal region in the first region and the second region based on the first mask image and the second near-infrared image.