Image Processing Device Noise Reduction via Component Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies fail to effectively reduce noise fluctuations in image signals without degrading the image quality, particularly in separating and preserving edge components.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and apparatus that separates an image signal into framework and residue components, extracts edge information, and reduces noise fluctuations in the residue component using directional filtering based on acquired parameters, while preserving edge components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If noise reduction filtering is applied to the image signal, then noise fluctuations are reduced, but edge components and image quality are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image signal into multiple components: a first component representing framework/edge information and a second component representing texture/detail information. This segmentation allows selective processing where noise reduction is applied only to the second component while preserving the first component's edge information, thereby reducing noise without degrading overall image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different parts of the image signal. The first component (edge/framework) is processed with minimal filtering to preserve sharpness, while the second component (texture/residue) receives enhanced noise reduction filtering. This local differentiation of processing quality enables noise reduction in texture regions while maintaining edge sharpness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frequency characteristics of filtering are adjusted based on noise amount, then noise reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by separating the image signal into multiple components before applying noise reduction filtering. This pre-separation enables the system to target noise reduction specifically at the residue component rather than processing the entire image, simplifying the overall filtering control strategy while improving noise reduction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using component separation as a mediator between the original image signal and the noise reduction filtering process. This intermediary step allows the system to selectively apply filtering only where needed (in the residue component), reducing the complexity of controlling frequency characteristics across the entire image.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a component separation section configured to separate an original image signal into a plurality of components including a first component that is a framework component and a second component obtained from a residue corresponding to the original image signal from which the first component has been excluded, an edge information acquisition section configured to obtain edge information from the first component included in the plurality of components, a fluctuation-component reduction section configured to reduce a fluctuation component at least of the second component included in the plurality of components, a parameter acquisition section configured to acquire a parameter for the fluctuation-component reduction section based on the obtained edge information, and a component synthesis section configured to synthesize the first component and the component other than the first component in which the fluctuation component has been reduced.