Image Processing Apparatus Brightness Correction Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing techniques that correct brightness by relighting with a virtual light source often compromise image sharpness due to noise amplification and smoothing processes, leading to a drop in signal-to-noise ratio and image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that apply a pseudo-illumination effect while correcting brightness and sharpness using a correction unit, generating unit, and application unit, which consider illumination characteristics to maintain image quality by adjusting pixel brightness and sharpness in virtual light illuminated areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the gain is increased to raise the brightness of the shadow area, then the brightness correction is improved, but noise components are amplified causing a drop in the S/N ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image processing into separate stages: first extracting shadow areas and correcting brightness, then applying noise reduction specifically to corrected regions. This segmentation allows brightness correction and noise suppression to be handled independently, resolving the contradiction between improving brightness and reducing noise amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing strategies to different regions of the image. Shadow areas receive brightness correction with higher gain, while non-shadow areas maintain original characteristics. This local quality approach ensures that noise reduction is applied where needed without degrading the overall image quality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a noise reduction filter is applied to suppress the drop in S/N ratio, then the noise is reduced, but the sharpness of the image deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies noise reduction filters selectively only to shadow areas that have undergone brightness correction, rather than applying them to the entire image. This local application preserves the sharpness of non-shadow regions while suppressing noise in corrected areas, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and sharpness maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing is segmented into distinct regions: shadow areas receive both brightness correction and noise reduction, while non-shadow areas maintain their original quality. This segmentation prevents unnecessary noise reduction in already clean areas, preserving overall image sharpness.
3Loss of information
If brightness correction is applied to shadow areas, then the visibility of objects in shadows is improved, but the overall image quality deteriorates due to noise and sharpness loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into distinct stages: shadow area extraction, brightness correction, and selective noise reduction. This multi-stage segmentation allows each processing step to be optimized independently, improving shadow visibility while maintaining overall image quality through controlled noise management.
Solution Approach 2:
Different processing qualities are applied to different regions: shadow areas receive enhanced brightness and targeted noise reduction, while non-shadow areas maintain original quality characteristics. This local quality approach ensures that improvements in shadow visibility do not compromise the overall image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image processing apparatus capable of applying a pseudo-illumination effect to an image while suppressing a drop in image quality, and a control method for such an image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus generates a correction signal for correcting sharpness of an image on the basis of illumination characteristics of the virtual light, and applies the correction signal to the image.