Image Processing Apparatus Isolated Point Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods are ineffective in accurately detecting and correcting defective pixels and impulse noise due to limitations in calculating isolation degrees and weighting factors, leading to incorrect identification of edges, gradations, and corner patterns as isolated points.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that calculates similarities between target and reference pixels, generates feature vectors, and determines weighting factors based on these similarities to accurately identify and correct defective pixels by using a combination of similarity calculation, weighting factor calculation, and isolation degree calculation units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If isolation degree calculation uses simple absolute difference values between target pixel and neighboring pixels, then calculation is fast and simple, but detection precision deteriorates leading to incorrect identification of edges and gradations as isolated points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the isolation degree calculation into multiple independent components: (1) calculation of absolute difference values between target pixel and each neighboring pixel, (2) identification of minimum absolute difference values, (3) calculation of isolation degree based on these segmented components. This segmentation allows precise detection while maintaining computational efficiency by processing pixel relationships locally rather than globally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by calculating isolation degree based on the specific local relationships between the target pixel and its immediate neighboring pixels. Instead of using global image statistics or complex multi-scale analysis, the method focuses on the local absolute difference values and minimum differences within the immediate pixel neighborhood, providing precise isolation detection adapted to local image characteristics.
2Device complexity
If weighting factor is calculated based on simple similarity ratio, then calculation is straightforward, but manufacturing precision deteriorates causing incorrect corrections of edges and gradations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first calculating the absolute difference values between the target pixel and all neighboring pixels before determining the minimum absolute difference value, which is then used to calculate the isolation degree and subsequently the weighting factor. This preliminary calculation of difference values for all neighboring pixels ensures that the weighting factor is based on comprehensive local information, improving correction precision while maintaining relatively simple calculation steps.
3Measurement precision
If the patent calculates similarity between target pixel and reference pixel and uses this to determine weighting factor, then detection precision improves for identifying isolated points, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple calculation functions into a unified isolation degree calculation system. The similarity calculation between target pixel and reference pixel is integrated with the absolute difference value calculation and minimum difference identification into a single coherent process. This merging approach improves isolated point detection precision while avoiding the need for separate, complex detection modules by combining operations into an efficient unified algorithm.
Data Source
AI summary
A similarity calculation unit calculates a similarity between pixel values of a target pixel and a reference pixel and a similarity between the pixel value of the target pixel and an average value of pixel values of reference pixels, in an input image. A weighting factor calculation unit calculates weighting factors based on the calculated similarities. A weighted average value calculation unit calculates weighted average values of the pixel value of the reference pixel and the average value of the pixel values of the reference pixels by use of the calculated weighting factors. A subtraction unit calculates a difference value between the pixel values of the target pixel and the reference pixel. An isolation degree calculation unit calculates an isolation degree based on the calculated deference value. A correction unit corrects the target pixel based on the calculated isolation degree.