Image Processing Tone Conversion Using Distance-Based Object Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques often result in unnatural images due to gradation inversion and difficulty in performing appropriate gradation processing for scenes with objects at different distances, as they either apply uniform tone correction or struggle to select suitable gradation conversion characteristics based on focal length.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that obtains distance information, groups objects, determines whether to apply a uniform or region-specific tone characteristic, and performs tone conversion accordingly, using a combination of distance and luminance information to optimize tone processing and avoid unnatural contrast adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If image processing is applied to each region according to distance information, then contrast correction is improved, but gradation inversion occurs causing unnatural appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of tone characteristic selection from fixed region-based to dynamic scene-based. The determination unit selects between first tone characteristics (for single-object scenes) and second tone characteristics (for multi-object scenes) based on the extracted number of object regions, thereby adjusting the tone conversion parameters according to the overall scene composition rather than applying uniform region-based processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying different tone characteristics to each region (which causes gradation inversion), the patent inverts the approach by applying a unified tone characteristic determined from regional analysis. The determination unit uses the number of object regions to select a global tone characteristic that prevents gradation inversion while still considering spatial information.
2Device complexity
If focal length information is used to select gradation conversion characteristics, then processing is simplified, but appropriate gradation processing for scenes with objects at different distances cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image into multiple object regions based on distance information before determining the tone characteristic. The extraction unit divides the image into first through fourth object regions corresponding to different distance zones, allowing the system to analyze the composition of objects at different distances and select appropriate tone characteristics accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces distance information as an intermediary between the image data and tone conversion process. The extraction unit uses distance information to identify and group objects at different distances, and the determination unit uses this segmented information to select appropriate tone characteristics, thereby bridging the gap between simple focal length-based processing and complex scene-adaptive processing.
3Device complexity
If uniform tone characteristic is applied to the whole image, then processing is simple, but appropriate tone conversion for different regions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the tone characteristic selection dynamic rather than static. The determination unit dynamically selects between first and second tone characteristics based on the extracted number of object regions in the image. This dynamic selection allows the system to adapt the tone conversion precision to the scene complexity, using simpler processing for single-object scenes and more sophisticated processing for multi-object scenes.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus obtains distance information indicating a distance to each of one or more objects of an image, performs grouping of the one or more objects in accordance with the distance to each object, extracts a plurality of object regions of the image in accordance with the grouping, and determines, in accordance with a number of the plurality of object regions extracted by the extraction unit, whether to perform tone conversion by applying a same tone characteristic to the image as a whole or to perform tone conversion by applying different tone characteristics for respective regions of the image.