Image Processing Apparatus Flare Correction Pixel Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing techniques struggle to accurately distinguish and correct for image degradation caused by crosstalk and flare in pixels adjacent to focusing pixels, often leading to false corrections and image quality degradation.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that compares pixel values adjacent to focusing pixels with values from non-adjacent pixels to determine the cause of image degradation, using threshold settings to selectively correct pixel values based on the presence of crosstalk or flare, thereby preventing false corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If processing that corrects the influence of flare is applied to pixels that are not influenced by the flare, then the correction can be performed, but false correction becomes the cause of image degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces color-region-based detection (magenta region detection) with a mathematical comparison system that calculates differences between pixel values and their neighboring pixels. This substitution allows precise identification of flare-affected pixels through quantitative analysis of pixel value relationships, eliminating false corrections while maintaining correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary comparison mechanism that uses neighboring pixel values as a reference standard. By comparing the pixel in question against its neighbors and calculating difference values, the system creates an intermediary judgment layer that accurately identifies whether flare is present without directly detecting the magenta color region, thus avoiding false corrections.
2Reliability
If a magenta color region is detected as a collection of pixels that are influenced by a flare, then flare correction can be applied, but a region of a magenta-colored object will be incorrectly detected as a region that became the magenta color due to flare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes color-based detection (detecting magenta regions) with a mathematical difference-comparison system. Instead of relying on color thresholds that can be fooled by objects, the system calculates the difference between a pixel's value and its neighboring pixels' values. This mathematical approach provides objective, precise measurement that is not influenced by the actual color of objects, thereby eliminating false detection of magenta-colored objects as flare-affected regions.
3Reliability
If correction is applied to all pixels adjacent to focusing pixels, then crosstalk and flare influences can be corrected, but pixels not influenced by these effects will experience false correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial correction by first calculating difference values for all pixels adjacent to focusing pixels, then selectively applying correction only to those pixels where the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold. This partial action approach ensures that correction is applied only when necessary (when flare or crosstalk is detected), while leaving unaffected pixels unchanged, thus avoiding false correction while maintaining comprehensive correction coverage where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of discriminating with good precision a cause of image degradation that occurs in a value of a pixel adjacent to a focusing pixel, and of appropriately performing correction. When correcting a value of an imaging pixel adjacent to a focusing pixel, it is determined whether the value of the correction target pixel is influenced by flare based on a value of an imaging pixel adjacent to the focusing pixel that exists in a vicinity of a correction target pixel, and values of a plurality of imaging pixels that exist in a vicinity and are not adjacent to the focusing pixel. An appropriate method for correcting the influence of flare is used if it is determined that the value of the correction target pixel is influenced by flare.