Image Processing Apparatus for Material Appearance Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for representing a material appearance of an object require users to input light source and viewpoint information every time viewing conditions change, making it cumbersome to visualize the object under multiple viewing conditions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that acquires target data, determines if it contains material appearance information, and automatically generates and displays moving images or consecutive still images under different viewing conditions, eliminating the need for user-inputted information to change viewing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the technique according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-122719 is used to represent material appearance under multiple viewing conditions, then the material appearance can be displayed according to light source position, object position, or viewpoint position, but the user must input light source information, viewpoint information, and other parameters every time the viewing condition changes, increasing operation complexity and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining multiple viewing condition sets (first viewing condition set, second viewing condition set, etc.) that include light source information, viewpoint information, and other parameters. These viewing condition sets are prepared in advance and stored in the system, so when a user wants to view material appearance under different conditions, they can directly select from the pre-prepared sets without manually inputting all parameters each time. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the adaptability to display under multiple viewing conditions while significantly improving ease of operation through automated parameter selection.
2Measurement precision
If manual input of viewing condition parameters is required every time conditions change, then precise control over light source and viewpoint positions is achieved, but the time consumption and operational burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple viewing condition sets with precise light source positions, viewpoint positions, and other parameters. Each viewing condition set is carefully prepared in advance with specific numerical values for positions and angles. When display is needed, the system automatically selects and applies the appropriate pre-configured set, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating the time-consuming manual input process. The patent thus resolves the contradiction between precision control and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating multiple copies of viewing condition parameters in the form of predefined viewing condition sets. Instead of requiring users to re-enter parameters each time, the system stores multiple copies of complete viewing condition configurations (including light source information, viewpoint information, and other parameters) that can be rapidly selected and applied. This copying approach maintains the precision of parameter control while dramatically reducing the time required to switch between different viewing conditions.
3Loss of information
If the system displays material appearance under multiple viewing conditions, then comprehensive material characterization is achieved, but the complexity of data management and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the comprehensive viewing conditions into distinct, manageable segments or sets. Each viewing condition set (first viewing condition set, second viewing condition set, etc.) represents a segmented group of related parameters including light source information, viewpoint information, and other settings. This segmentation allows the system to manage complex data by organizing it into discrete, manageable units that can be independently stored, retrieved, and applied, thereby reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining complete material appearance information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by creating viewing condition sets that serve multiple functions. Each viewing condition set is designed to be universally applicable for displaying material appearance under specific conditions, and the same set can be used across different materials and objects. This multi-functionality reduces data management complexity because the system doesn't need to create entirely new parameter configurations for each material - the universal viewing condition sets can be applied broadly, simplifying the management of complex multi-condition data while preserving complete material characterization information.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire target data, a determination unit configured to determine whether the target data has material appearance information of an object, and a control unit configured to display, on a display unit, an image corresponding to the target data based on a result of the determination by the determination unit, wherein, in a case where the target data has the material appearance information of the object, the control unit displays a moving image or consecutive still images, which includes a plurality of images under different viewing conditions, corresponding to the target data.