Image Processing Apparatus Ringing Suppression Sharpness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods struggle to effectively suppress ringing in converted image data, particularly when considering the sharpness of the image data, as they either overcorrect unblurred images or fail to address ringing around edges in blurred images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and program that utilize a ringing suppressor with a ringing incidence estimation unit, sharpness estimation unit, adjustment factor calculator, and adjuster to set a ringing flag based on pixel characteristics and sharpness levels, adjusting pixel values to prevent excessive correction and suppress ringing, especially around edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If image conversion process is applied to unblurred image data, then image sharpness is improved, but ringing artifacts occur around edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing strategies to different regions of the image based on local characteristics. The ringing suppression unit identifies edge regions and applies selective suppression only where ringing occurs, while preserving sharpness in non-edge regions. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing sharpness enhancement in appropriate areas while suppressing ringing artifacts only where they manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts processing parameters based on image characteristics. The sharpness emphasis level is modified according to the detected ringing incidence, and the conversion process adapts its strength based on local image properties. This parameter adaptation allows the system to achieve sharpness improvement while preventing excessive correction that would generate ringing artifacts.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If ringing suppression is applied to blurred image data, then ringing artifacts are reduced, but image sharpness deteriorates due to overcorrection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic processing system that adapts to the input image characteristics. The sharpness estimation unit assesses the current sharpness level, and the ringing suppression unit adjusts its suppression strength accordingly. For blurred images, the suppression is weakened to avoid overcorrection, while for images with existing sharpness, stronger suppression is applied. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by preventing sharpness deterioration while still suppressing ringing artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where the sharpness estimation unit continuously monitors the sharpness level of the processed image and feeds this information back to adjust the ringing suppression strength. This closed-loop control ensures that suppression is applied at appropriate levels, preventing overcorrection that would reduce sharpness while maintaining effective ringing artifact removal.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional ringing suppression methods are applied, then ringing artifacts are suppressed, but the method fails to consider image sharpness leading to inappropriate processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of image sharpness and ringing characteristics before applying suppression. The sharpness estimation unit and ringing incidence estimation unit analyze the input image in advance, determining the appropriate processing strategy. This preliminary action allows the system to adapt its suppression strength to the specific image characteristics, resolving the contradiction by making processing adaptable to sharpness levels rather than applying uniform suppression.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] Provided is an image processing apparatus and program that are able to suppress ringing caused in image data having increased image quality while considering the sharpness of the image data. [Solving Means] An image processing apparatus includes a ringing incidence estimation unit configured to estimate an incidence of ringing representing a probability that ringing will occur, on the basis of input image data, a sharpness estimation unit configured to estimate a sharpness emphasis level representing intensity of sharpness of an input image represented by the input image data, on the basis of the input image data, and an adjuster configured to perform an adjustment process to suppress a level of image conversion on each pixel in converted image data obtained by performing the image conversion on the input image data, on the basis of the incidence of ringing and/or the sharpness emphasis level.