Image Processing Method for High ISO Noise Unity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing methods fail to maintain image unity when blurring backgrounds in images taken with high ISO sensitivity, as the main subject appears rough and noisy compared to the blurred background, resulting in an incongruous image.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method that divides the image into local portions, performs blurring on the background areas, and superimposes artificial noise on these portions to match the noise level of the non-blurred main subject areas, thereby maintaining image unity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If blurring processing is performed on background portions of images taken with high ISO sensitivity, then background blur is achieved, but the main subject appears rough and noisy against the blurred background, resulting in loss of image unity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground blur qualityVSAvoidimage unity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality characteristics to different regions of the image. The main subject portion maintains original noise characteristics while the background portion receives blurring processing plus artificial noise addition, creating local quality differentiation that resolves the contradiction between background blur and overall image unity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple processing techniques (blurring + artificial noise addition) on the background portion while leaving the main subject unchanged. This composite approach creates a unified image by复合 different processing methods on different regions, solving the contradiction between achieving background blur and maintaining overall image coherence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If blurring is performed on local portions extracted from subject image, then superior touch of blur is obtained, but image quality improvement is only attained in cases of low ISO sensitivity images

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblur touch qualityVSAvoidISO sensitivity adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the processing parameters based on ISO sensitivity. For high ISO sensitivity images, it applies blurring plus artificial noise addition to the background, while for low ISO sensitivity images, it may apply only blurring. This parameter adaptation enables superior blur touch quality across different ISO sensitivity conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9025049B2Image processing method, image processing apparatus, computer readable medium, and imaging apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

In the present invention, an image processing method includes a dividing process, a performing process, and a superimposing process. In the dividing process, an image is divided into plural local portions. In the performing process, the blurring processing is performed on at least one of the plural local portions. In the superimposing process, the artificial noise is superimposed on the at least one local portion.