Image Selection for Noise Reduction in Composite Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods struggle to effectively compose multiple images captured over time to reduce noise while maintaining image quality, particularly when there is significant movement of the imaging element, leading to blur and reduced noise reduction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that selects a reference image from a group of images excluding the earliest and latest captured images, and combines it with other images captured closer in time, using a movement estimation unit to determine suitable images for composition, ensuring minimal movement and optimal noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If images captured earliest or latest are used as reference image, then the composition process is simple, but the noise reduction efficiency is reduced due to significant movement of the imaging element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection criterion for the reference image from temporal extremity (earliest or latest) to temporal centrality (intermediate time point). This parameter change in the selection strategy allows the system to maintain simplicity in the composition process while significantly improving noise reduction efficiency by reducing imaging element movement during the composition period.
2Manufacturing precision
If a large number of frames are used for composition, then the noise reduction is improved, but the brightness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameter of reference image selection by choosing images captured at intermediate time points rather than extending across the entire time range. This allows the system to use a sufficient number of frames for effective noise reduction while limiting the time span to prevent excessive brightness reduction, thus balancing both requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If images captured over a long time period are composed, then the noise reduction efficiency is improved, but the blur increases due to imaging element movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of image selection from maximizing time span to optimizing time span based on movement constraints. By selecting reference images at intermediate time points and limiting the composition window, the system achieves effective noise reduction while preventing blur caused by excessive imaging element movement, thus maintaining image quality.
4Loss of time
If the earliest or latest captured image is selected as reference, then the processing time is minimized, but the effective image size is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the reference image selection parameter from temporal extremity to temporal centrality, choosing images at intermediate time points. This approach maintains efficient processing by still using a subset of available frames while maximizing the effective image size by reducing blur from imaging element movement, thus preserving more usable image area.
Data Source
AI summary
A frame memory stores a plurality of captured images. An image selection unit selects a reference image, which is a standard for composition, from images other than an image which is captured earliest and an image which is captured latest among the plurality of images stored in the frame memory and selects images to be combined with the reference image from a group of images which are captured earlier and later than the reference image among the plurality of images. A composition processing unit composes the images to be combined selected by the image selection unit with the reference image selected by the image selection unit to generate a composite image.