Image Shadow Removal for Camera Accessories

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

When using camera accessories like selfie sticks, the shadows they cast often appear in photographs, making the images look abrupt and unrealistic, and detract from their aesthetic quality.

Innovation Solution

An image processing method and apparatus that identifies and eliminates the shadow areas of camera devices and their support accessories in images, using feature recognition and processing techniques to enhance the image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If camera accessories like selfie sticks are used to support the photographing device, then the photographing device can be positioned at various angles and distances, but the accessories and their shadows appear in the photographed image, making it look abrupt and unrealistic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotographing angle and distanceVSAvoidshadow appearance in image
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful shadow elements from the photographed image while preserving the useful photographing effect. The image processing system identifies shadow regions caused by photographing devices and accessories, then selectively removes these shadows through pixel manipulation and image synthesis techniques, achieving separation of the harmful shadow component from the useful image content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful shadow appearance into a benefit by using the shadow information to guide image processing. The system utilizes shadow detection and segmentation to identify affected regions, then applies targeted processing such as inpainting and pixel blending to restore the underlying scene appearance, transforming the shadow problem into an opportunity for enhancing image quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the shadow area of the target object is eliminated from the original image, then the aesthetics of the image is improved and the image does not appear obtrusive, but additional image processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetics of imageVSAvoidimage processing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing task into distinct functional modules: shadow detection, shadow region segmentation, shadow elimination, and image synthesis. This modular segmentation allows each processing step to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency, reducing the complexity burden despite the multiple processing steps required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The image processing system performs self-service by automatically detecting and processing shadows without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously identifies shadow regions, determines appropriate processing parameters, and executes the elimination process, reducing the operational complexity for users while maintaining sophisticated processing capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250005722A1Image processing method and apparatus, photographing device, and readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.01.02 SZ DJI TECH CO LTD
  • US20250005722A1 patent drawing
  • US20250005722A1 patent drawing
  • US20250005722A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An image processing method includes obtaining an original image, and identifying a shadow area of a target object in the original image. The target object includes at least one of a photographing device or a support apparatus of the photographing device. The method further includes eliminating the shadow area of the target object in the original image.