Image Processing Device for Weather-Adaptive Noise Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies face challenges in effectively removing noise caused by disturbances and afterimage tears in moving subjects during outdoor image capture, particularly due to weather conditions like snowfall and rainfall, and struggle to maintain image resolution and display efficiency in video monitoring systems.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that includes an image input unit, an image feature extraction unit, and a disturbance suppression unit to analyze and correct images based on motion vectors and weather conditions, using techniques such as median filtering and motion correction to remove visual field obstacles and noise, while maintaining image resolution and preventing afterimage tears.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If image processing is performed to remove snowfall noise by comparing gray scales of pixels in multiple frames, then snowfall noise is removed, but moving subjects such as scenery and other vehicles are incorrectly treated as visual field obstacles, causing afterimage tear and partial disappearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the image processing approach adaptive rather than static. It dynamically switches between different processing methods (median filtering for snowfall, no processing for clear weather, and alternative methods for rainfall) based on real-time weather detection, preventing the incorrect treatment of moving subjects while maintaining effective noise removal when appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters based on weather conditions. For snowfall, it uses median filtering on pixel values; for clear weather, it applies no processing; for rainfall, it uses different processing approaches. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by applying the right processing intensity and method for each weather scenario
2Reliability
If different image processing methods are applied for different weather conditions, then noise removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple processing algorithms and weather detection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting weather conditions and selecting appropriate processing methods without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration. The weather detection unit and image processing unit work autonomously to adapt the processing pipeline based on current conditions, simplifying the user interface while maintaining multiple processing capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing an image processing system that can handle multiple weather conditions (snowfall, rainfall, clear weather) using a unified architecture. The same hardware platform performs diverse processing tasks by switching between different algorithms, reducing the need for separate specialized systems for each weather type
3Reliability
If median filtering is applied to remove snowfall noise, then image clarity is improved, but image resolution and detail may be degraded due to the filtering process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using median filtering selectively only for snowfall conditions rather than continuously. For clear weather, no filtering is applied, preserving full image resolution. The processing is applied partially based on weather detection, maintaining resolution when possible while achieving clarity enhancement when needed
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image processing device that removes noise caused by disturbance during image capture from a captured image by image processing, the image processing device includes an image input unit to which a plurality of temporally continuous captured images are input, an image feature extraction unit that extracts features related to the disturbance in the captured images, and an image sharpening unit that performs image processing based on the features related to the disturbance to thereby remove noise in the captured images. Further, the image processing device may further include mode switching means for switching between a monitoring mode for performing image processing based on the features related to the disturbance and a normal mode for preventing the image processing based on the features related to the disturbance from being performed.