Image Processing Boundary Correction for Super-Wide-Angle Endoscopes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques for super-wide-angle endoscopes fail to effectively correct the boundary region between the forward and lateral fields of view, leading to noticeable edges and contrast gaps after edge enhancement processes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with an enhancement processing section for edge enhancement and a correction processing section that performs a non-commutative boundary correction process, placing the correction section downstream of the enhancement section to minimize edge enhancement of the boundary line, and an upstream zooming section to prevent scaling-induced enlargement of the boundary region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If edge enhancement process is performed before boundary correction process, then image edges are enhanced and image quality is improved, but the boundary region becomes more noticeable and image continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary correction process is performed as a preliminary action before edge enhancement. By correcting the boundary region first (enlarging and connecting the forward and lateral field images to reduce the boundary width), then subsequently performing edge enhancement on the already-corrected image, the invention prevents the enhancement from acting on a narrow boundary line that would create noticeable edges. This sequence ensures that edge enhancement operates on a smoothly transitioned boundary rather than amplifying contrast gaps.
2Stability of the object's composition
If boundary correction process is performed first to reduce boundary region width, then boundary visibility is reduced, but subsequent edge enhancement enlarges the boundary edge and makes it more noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention establishes the correct processing sequence where boundary correction is performed first as a preliminary step, followed by edge enhancement. The boundary correction process enlarges and connects the forward and lateral field images, reducing the boundary region width to a narrow boundary line with smooth transitions. Only after this correction is complete does the edge enhancement process operate on the image, ensuring it enhances edges without amplifying boundary artifacts.
3Manufacturing precision
If zooming process is applied to enhance image detail, then image resolution is improved, but the boundary region is scaled and enlarged making it more noticeable
Solution Approach 1:
The boundary correction process is performed as a preliminary action before any zooming or scaling operations. By correcting the boundary region first (enlarging and connecting forward and lateral field images), the invention ensures that subsequent zooming operations scale an already-corrected image where the boundary has been smoothed and transitioned. This prevents the zooming process from simply enlarging a narrow, high-contrast boundary line that would be highly noticeable.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a first input section (21) configured to receive image data including images in a forward field of view and a lateral field of view; an enhancement processing section (26) configured to enhance edges of images corresponding to the image data received; and a boundary correction section (27) provided on a downstream side of the enhancement processing section (26) and configured to perform a correction process non-commutative with an edge enhancement process, the correction process being performed on a boundary region between a forward field of view and a lateral field of view using the image data subjected to edge enhancement.