Image Processing Device for Endoscope Sharpness Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscope systems with 3D noise reduction struggle to maintain clear images during paused frames, as 3D noise reduction is ineffective for still images, leading to unclear visuals and blurring of moving image outlines, especially when trying to balance noise reduction between dynamic and static regions.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device that calculates static and dynamic information, determines a blend ratio based on this information, and performs image processing to optimize output images for both static and dynamic regions, using a blend ratio to balance noise reduction and sharpening processing, ensuring appropriate sharpness for visual recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If 3D noise reduction is applied to moving images, then noise reduction accuracy is improved, but image sharpness deteriorates when the image is paused or in static regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction accuracyVSAvoidimage sharpness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple small regions, and each region is independently classified as static or dynamic based on motion detection. This segmentation allows different processing to be applied to different regions, resolving the contradiction by treating static and dynamic areas differently rather than applying uniform noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different image processing characteristics are applied to different regions of the image. Static regions receive processing optimized for sharpness and noise reduction, while dynamic regions receive processing optimized for motion handling. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have the quality characteristics appropriate to its motion state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If noise reduction is increased for still regions, then noise is reduced effectively, but moving regions become unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reduction effectivenessVSAvoidmoving region clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple small regions, and each region is independently classified as static or dynamic based on motion detection. This segmentation allows different processing to be applied to different regions, resolving the contradiction by treating static and dynamic areas differently rather than applying uniform noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different image processing characteristics are applied to different regions of the image. Static regions receive processing optimized for sharpness and noise reduction, while dynamic regions receive processing optimized for motion handling. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have the quality characteristics appropriate to its motion state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If sharpening is applied to dynamic regions, then moving image quality is improved, but noise becomes prominent in still regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoving image qualityVSAvoidnoise prominence in still regions

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple small regions, and each region is independently classified as static or dynamic based on motion detection. This segmentation allows different processing to be applied to different regions, resolving the contradiction by treating static and dynamic areas differently rather than applying uniform noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different image processing characteristics are applied to different regions of the image. Static regions receive processing optimized for sharpness and noise reduction, while dynamic regions receive processing optimized for motion handling. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing each region to have the quality characteristics appropriate to its motion state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11132776B2Image processing device, image processing method, and image processing program for maintaining sharpness of image

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 EIZO CORP

AI summary

An image processing device, an image processing method, and an image processing program capable of outputting an image with appropriate sharpness for an input image that may include both a dynamic region and a static region. An image processing device includes a static and dynamic information calculator configured to calculate static and dynamic information of an input image; a blend ratio setting unit configured to determine a blend ratio by performing a predetermined operation on the static and dynamic information of the input image; and an image processing unit configured to generate an output image optimized for static and dynamic change by performing image processing on the input image on the basis of the blend ratio.