Image Processing Device Noise-Aware Achromatic Region Color Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current color conversion techniques, such as those using color management systems (CMS) with matrix operations, often fail to achieve high-quality color reproduction in achromatic regions, leading to increased noise and inaccurate color conversion, especially in low color regions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that estimates noise in video signals, defines achromatic regions, and performs specific color conversion processing based on whether the signal belongs to an achromatic or chromatic region, using noise amount estimation, region defining, and color conversion means to ensure precise color conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If matrix operation is used for color conversion processing, then memory capacity is reduced and hardware scale is minimized, but color conversion precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color conversion process into two distinct paths: one for achromatic regions and another for chromatic regions. This allows each path to use optimized processing methods (matrix operation for achromatic, LUT for chromatic) that balance hardware efficiency with color conversion precision according to the specific region requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different color conversion methods to different regions of the image based on their chromatic characteristics. Achromatic regions use matrix operation for efficient processing, while chromatic regions use LUT for high precision, thereby achieving local optimization of both hardware scale and color conversion precision.
2Device complexity
If matrix operation is used for color conversion processing, then hardware scale is reduced, but noise increases in achromatic regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates achromatic and chromatic regions and applies different processing methods to each. Achromatic regions use matrix operation with controlled coefficients to minimize noise, while chromatic regions use LUT for accurate color reproduction, thereby reducing overall noise while maintaining hardware efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the matrix coefficients dynamically based on the achromatic region characteristics and noise levels. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves noise reduction in achromatic regions while maintaining hardware scale efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If uniform color conversion processing is applied to all regions, then processing simplicity is maintained, but color reproduction accuracy deteriorates in achromatic regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into achromatic and chromatic regions and applies different conversion methods to each. This segmentation enables high accuracy color reproduction in achromatic regions through optimized matrix operation while maintaining overall processing simplicity through automated region detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality enhancement by applying different color conversion strategies to different regions. Achromatic regions receive optimized matrix processing for accuracy, while chromatic regions receive LUT processing for color fidelity, thereby improving overall color reproduction accuracy without significantly complicating the processing workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device for performing color conversion processing on a VS (video signal obtained from a color CCD) includes a region defining section, which estimates an amount of noise of the VS, according to an ISO-sensitivity and a white-balance-coefficient, and, based on the estimated amount of noise, defines an AR (achromatic region) of a color space to which the video signal belongs as a region centered on an achromatic axis where saturation is 0, and a color conversion section, which determines whether or not the VS belongs to the AR, and does not perform color conversion processing or performs projection of the video signal onto the achromatic axis if the video signal does not belong to the AR, or performs color conversion processing so that the numerical error between a target color signal and a color signal after color conversion processing is minimized if the video signal belongs to the AR.