Image Processing Apparatus Aligning Base and Comparison Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods fail to effectively improve image quality by compositing multiple images when the base image and other images capture different scenes or have different subjects, leading to inadequate alignment and quality enhancement.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that selects each image as a base image one by one, aligns and combines them based on image features, calculates a common region ratio, and determines the combination with the maximum number of comparison images that meet a predetermined threshold for optimal image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a base image is selected based on maximum edge intensity alone, then the selection process is simple, but the image quality improvement by compositing may not be achieved when base image and other images capture different scenes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary alignment of comparison images with the base image before compositing. By pre-aligning images based on edge detection and feature matching, the system ensures that only properly aligned images are composited, thereby guaranteeing image quality improvement while maintaining a systematic selection process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the alignment quality is evaluated by calculating the correlation between edge maps of the base image and comparison images. This feedback loop allows the system to verify whether images capture the same scene before compositing, ensuring reliable image quality improvement
2Reliability
If all comparison images are aligned with each base image, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image set by selecting one base image and identifying only those comparison images that meet the alignment threshold with this single base image. This segmentation approach avoids the computationally expensive process of aligning all images with each other, reducing processing time while maintaining comprehensive coverage of suitable images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary comparison images that satisfy the alignment condition with the selected base image, rather than processing all possible image combinations. This extraction of relevant subset significantly reduces processing time while ensuring that all useful images for compositing are included
Data Source
AI summary
The image processing apparatus includes: an input unit configured to receive input of a plurality of images; an alignment unit configured to select each of the plurality of images one by one as a base image, and aligns the base image and each of comparison images; a selection unit configured to select the comparison image to be combined with the base image from among the comparison images aligned with the base image for each of the base images, calculate a common region in which images included in the combination can be commonly drawn, and select the combination in which the ratio of the common region to the base image satisfies a predetermined condition; a determination unit configured to determine the combination that maximizes the number of comparison images from the selected combination; and an output unit configured to output an image group corresponding to the determined combination.