Image Processing Apparatus Using Segmented Noise-Adaptive Generation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing techniques fail to generate images with desired quality due to varying noise levels within images, as they do not account for spatial variations in noise, leading to inconsistent image quality across different areas.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that divides an input image into multiple sections, selects appropriate image generators for each section based on user evaluation or objective criteria, generates images using these generators, and combines them to achieve high image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If one image generator is used to process the entire image, then the processing is simple and fast, but the image quality varies across different areas due to varying noise levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidimage quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple regions based on noise level characteristics. Different image generators are assigned to different regions, allowing each region to be processed by the most suitable generator for its specific noise characteristics, thereby maintaining image quality consistency across the entire image while preserving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different image generation models to different spatial regions of the image based on local noise characteristics. High-noise regions use generators optimized for noise removal, while low-noise regions use generators that preserve fine details, ensuring that each local area receives appropriate processing tailored to its specific quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple image generators are used to process different areas, then image quality consistency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple regions based on noise level characteristics. Different image generators are assigned to different regions, allowing each region to be processed by the most suitable generator for its specific noise characteristics, thereby maintaining image quality consistency across the entire image while preserving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically selects image generators based on noise level parameters of different image regions. By changing the generator selection parameter according to local noise characteristics, the system achieves adaptive processing that maintains quality consistency without requiring a fixed complex multi-generator architecture for all regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple image generators are used, then the image quality can be enhanced, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image is divided into multiple regions based on noise level characteristics. Different image generators are assigned to different regions, allowing each region to be processed by the most suitable generator for its specific noise characteristics, thereby maintaining image quality consistency across the entire image while preserving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different image generation models to different spatial regions of the image based on local noise characteristics. High-noise regions use generators optimized for noise removal, while low-noise regions use generators that preserve fine details, ensuring that each local area receives appropriate processing tailored to its specific quality requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4575979A1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.06.25 CANON KK

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AI summary

An information processing apparatus divides an input image into a plurality of divided images and selects an appropriate image generator for each divided image from among a plurality of image generators based on the divided images of the input image. The information processing apparatus generates a plurality of generated images from the input image or the divided images of the input image using the plurality of selected image generators and combines two or more of the generated images.