Image Restoration Filter with Ringing Suppression for High Contrast Scenes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image restoration processes often fail to accurately match the property of the restoration filter with the image quality degradation of original image data, leading to issues like ringing and image quality degradation, especially when dealing with bright images or high contrast, due to pixel saturation and optical system aberrations.
Innovation Solution
An image-processing device that acquires image information, performs a restoration process using a point spread function-based filter, and includes a ringing decision section to control the process based on conditions that prevent ringing, allowing for flexible image processing and improved resolution and quality by adjusting the restoration process after gradation correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a restoration process is performed using a restoration filter based on point spread function, then image quality degradation due to optical aberration is reduced, but ringing appears in the recovery image especially in bright images or high contrast regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing strategies to different regions of the image based on local characteristics. The ringing suppression process selectively identifies and processes regions where ringing is likely to occur (bright images or high contrast regions) while preserving the restoration quality in other areas. This localized approach allows the system to suppress ringing in specific problem areas without compromising the overall restoration效果.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful ringing effect into a detectable condition that can be suppressed. By analyzing image information to detect ringing conditions and then applying targeted suppression processing, the system transforms the problematic ringing artifacts into opportunities for selective correction, ultimately improving image quality by eliminating the harmful effects while preserving the beneficial restoration.
2Measurement precision
If the restoration process is performed before gradation correction, then the restoration filter can be applied to linear image data, but image quality degradation occurs due to pixel saturation in bright images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs gradation correction as a preliminary step before applying the restoration filter. This preliminary action transforms the linear image data into corrected image data that accounts for pixel saturation effects in bright regions. By preparing the data in advance through gradation correction, the subsequent restoration process can operate on data that already has the saturation characteristics corrected, preventing image quality degradation while maintaining restoration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space by performing gradation correction, which transforms the image data from linear intensity values to corrected values that account for non-linear pixel response. This parameter transformation allows the restoration filter to work more effectively by operating on data where the relationship between optical intensity and pixel values has been corrected, thereby preventing saturation-related quality degradation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the restoration process is performed after gradation correction, then pixel saturation effects are avoided, but the restoration filter properties may not match the image quality degradation characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feedback mechanism where image information is analyzed to detect ringing conditions, and this detection feedback controls whether additional suppression processing is applied. The system continuously monitors the restored image for ringing artifacts and adjusts the processing accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains both restoration accuracy and image quality by adapting to the actual results.
4Measurement precision
If a strong restoration filter is used to maximize image recovery, then resolution is improved, but ringing and image quality degradation increase in high contrast regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing intensities to different regions based on local image characteristics. In high contrast regions where ringing is likely to occur, the system applies ringing suppression processing that moderates the restoration effect. In other regions where ringing is not a problem, the full restoration effect is preserved. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high resolution in safe areas while suppressing ringing in problematic high contrast areas.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present invention, for which of the original image data before the gradation correction and the original image data after the gradation correction the restoration process is performed is determined depending on whether or not the image information meets the condition under which the ringing appears in the recovery image data due to the restoration process. When the gradation correction is performed after the restoration process, there is a probability that the side effect (the ringing or the like) of the restoration process is emphasized by the gradation correction. Therefore, in the case where the image information meets the condition under which the ringing appears, it is possible to prevent such a side effect (the ringing or the like) of the restoration process from being emphasized by the gradation correction, by performing the restoration process for the original image data after the gradation correction.