Image Processing Method for Noise and Color Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods fail to simultaneously achieve noise uniformity and color uniformity, leading to suboptimal performance in noise removal and color reproduction, particularly in high-sensitivity images where dark noise is significant.
Innovation Solution
The method involves converting color image data to a uniform noise space and a pseudo-uniform color space using nonlinear gradation conversion, incorporating an offset signal to adjust noise characteristics, allowing for effective noise removal while maintaining color reproducibility by ensuring noise uniformity across luminance levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a uniform color space such as L*a*b* is used to achieve superior color reproduction, then color uniformity is improved, but noise uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the color space from a uniform color space (L*a*b*) to a uniform noise space through nonlinear gradation conversion. This changes the mathematical parameters of the color representation to simultaneously achieve both color uniformity and noise uniformity, allowing noise removal filters to work effectively while maintaining color reproduction quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite color space that combines characteristics of both uniform color spaces and uniform noise spaces. By integrating the advantages of both approaches, the resulting color space achieves superior performance in both color reproduction and noise removal, effectively combining the benefits of color uniformity and noise uniformity in a single space.
2Measurement precision
If shot noise is converted to constant noise through square root gradation conversion, then noise uniformity is improved, but color uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by applying nonlinear gradation conversion with specific transformation functions that convert shot noise to constant noise while preserving color uniformity. The transformation parameters are carefully selected to achieve both noise uniformity and color uniformity simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
3Manufacturing precision
If noise removal is performed in a uniform color space, then color reproduction is maintained, but noise removal effectiveness deteriorates due to non-uniform noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary transformation step that converts the image from a uniform color space to a uniform noise space before noise removal processing. This intermediary conversion allows noise removal filters to operate effectively on uniformly distributed noise while maintaining color reproduction quality, as the transformation preserves color information while equalizing noise characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing method includes: inputting color image data obtained by capturing an image at a given imaging sensitivity level; and converting the color image data to a specific uniform color space determined in correspondence to the imaging sensitivity level.