Image Processing Circuit Linear Nonlinear Interpolation Edge Sharpness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image enlargement techniques result in irregular oblique edges and require significant computation, leading to increased software operation time or hardware manufacturing costs, especially when the enlargement factor is large, resulting in fuzzy edge transitions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing circuit that divides pixel values into two parts, with one part enlarged linearly and the other part enlarged non-linearly, effectively reducing edge blur while minimizing computational requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional spline method is used for image enlargement, then pixel values can be calculated, but irregular shape of oblique edges occurs and computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel value calculation process into two distinct parts: linear interpolation for integer pixel positions and non-linear (spline) interpolation for fractional pixel positions. This segmentation allows the system to apply computationally intensive non-linear methods only where necessary (at fractional positions) while using efficient linear methods for the majority of integer positions, thereby reducing overall computation time while maintaining edge sharpness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different interpolation qualities to different spatial locations within the image. Linear interpolation is applied to integer coordinate positions where sharpness requirements are lower, while non-linear spline interpolation is applied to fractional coordinate positions along oblique edges where high sharpness is critical. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between computation time and edge quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If other image enlargement techniques are used to alleviate irregular edges, then edge quality improves, but hardware manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the computationally intensive non-linear interpolation method partially rather than universally. Specifically, spline interpolation is applied only to fractional pixel positions that contribute to oblique edge rendering, while linear interpolation handles the majority of pixel positions. This partial application achieves the edge quality improvement of advanced techniques without requiring the full hardware complexity of dedicated non-linear interpolation engines for all pixels.
3Length of stationary object
If large enlargement factor is used, then image size increases, but edge transition becomes fuzzy and computation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of pixel positions into integer and fractional categories before applying interpolation. By pre-identifying which pixels require non-linear treatment (fractional positions along edges) versus those that can use linear interpolation (integer positions), the system prepares the data structure to efficiently handle large enlargement factors while maintaining sharpness. This preliminary action prevents the computational burden and sharpness loss that would occur with uniform application of complex methods to all pixels.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an image processing circuit, wherein the image processing circuit comprises a receiving circuit, an image dividing circuit, a first image enlargement circuit, a second image enlargement circuit and an output circuit. In the operations of the image processing circuit, the receiving circuit receives image data, the image dividing circuit divides a pixel value of each pixel of the image data into two parts to generate first image data and second image data, the first image enlargement circuit enlarges the first image data in a linear manner to generate enlarged first image data, the second image enlargement circuit enlarges the second image data in a non-linear manner to generate enlarged second image data, and the output circuit generates an output image according to the enlarged first image data and the enlarged second image data.