Image Processing Device Adaptive Error Diffusion Flicker Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing devices experience flicker due to error accumulation during error diffusion when converting a video signal with M tone levels to one with N tone levels, where N<M, and require large memory and long delay times to determine pixel relationships across frames.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that calculates pixel variation information within a predetermined area to adjust error distribution rates intra-frame and inter-frame, distributing errors based on intra-frame and inter-frame error distribution weights to reduce flicker and improve tone level reproducibility while minimizing memory and delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If error diffusion is performed by distributing errors to pixels in subsequent frames, then tone level reproducibility is improved, but flicker occurs due to error accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the error distribution strategy adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically determines whether to distribute errors intra-frame or inter-frame based on real-time analysis of pixel value variations and temporal changes. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize tone level reproducibility while preventing flicker in regions where it would be noticeable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different error distribution strategies to different regions of the image. By analyzing pixel value variations locally, the system can distribute errors intra-frame in regions prone to flicker while distributing them inter-frame in regions where inter-frame distribution is acceptable, thereby achieving both tone level reproducibility and flicker reduction in different image regions
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional methods analyze pixel relationships across multiple frames to reduce flicker, then flicker is reduced, but memory requirements and processing delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for flicker reduction by analyzing pixel value variations within the current frame and comparing with immediately preceding frame data. Instead of storing and analyzing entire multiple frames, the system extracts key variation metrics that are sufficient to determine error distribution strategy, thereby reducing memory requirements while maintaining flicker reduction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of pixel value variations within the current frame before error diffusion is applied. By calculating variation metrics in advance and determining the appropriate error distribution strategy beforehand, the system avoids the need for extensive post-processing memory storage and reduces processing delay
Data Source
AI summary
Flicker occurs in a flicker-noticeable area consisting of pixels with no pixel value variations. An image processing device (100) includes a variance calculation unit (101) that obtains a variance of an area consisting of a target pixel and neighboring pixels included in a first frame, and changes, according to the variance, the rate at which an error generated at the target pixel through tone level restriction is distributed within the frame and between frames. The image processing device (100) includes an error diffusion unit (113) that distributes the error generated at the target pixel to the neighboring pixels included in the first frame based on an intra-frame error diffusion rate and an intra-frame error distribution weight, and distributes the error generated at the target pixel to a target pixel and neighboring pixels included in the second frame based on an inter-frame error diffusion rate and an inter-frame error distribution weight.