Image Synthesizing Apparatus Resolution Conversion Lighting Matching

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image synthesizing apparatuses fail to generate high-resolution images with matching lighting conditions when the original and reference images have differing lighting conditions, and struggle to calculate correct linearization coefficients due to varying resolutions.

Innovation Solution

An image synthesizing apparatus that acquires original and reference images, converts their resolutions to match, calculates a conversion coefficient for linear combination, and generates a synthesized image with improved resolution and matching lighting conditions by adjusting pixel values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional image synthesizing apparatus uses high-resolution reference image to improve resolution of original image, then resolution of synthesized image is improved, but lighting conditions of synthesized image differ from original image

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresolutionVSAvoidlighting condition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary conversion of reference images to match the resolution of the original image before calculating linearization coefficients. This preliminary resolution alignment ensures that subsequent lighting condition adjustments are based on correctly scaled images, preventing lighting artifacts caused by resolution mismatches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the linearization coefficient based on the specific lighting conditions of both the original and reference images. By calculating the coefficient that transforms reference image lighting to match original image lighting, the system maintains lighting condition accuracy while utilizing high-resolution reference data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional image synthesizing apparatus uses image linearization to generate image with arbitrary lighting conditions, then lighting conditions can be adjusted, but correct linearization coefficient cannot be calculated when resolutions differ

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting condition controlVSAvoidlinearization coefficient accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary conversion of reference images to match the resolution of the original image before calculating linearization coefficients. This preliminary resolution alignment ensures that subsequent lighting condition adjustments are based on correctly scaled images, preventing lighting artifacts caused by resolution mismatches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional approach of directly using reference image resolution with a resolution conversion mechanism. By substituting the direct usage with a conversion process that adapts reference images to original image resolution, the system enables accurate linearization coefficient calculation across different resolutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If reference images with different resolutions are used for synthesis, then higher resolution reference details can be utilized, but corresponding pixel values cannot be correctly matched

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference image detail qualityVSAvoidpixel correspondence accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary conversion of reference images to match the resolution of the original image before calculating linearization coefficients. This preliminary resolution alignment ensures that subsequent lighting condition adjustments are based on correctly scaled images, preventing lighting artifacts caused by resolution mismatches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a converted copy of the reference image at the original image's resolution. This copied and resized reference image serves as the basis for accurate pixel-to-pixel comparison and linearization coefficient calculation, enabling correct correspondence between images of different resolutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS7764397B2Image synthesizing apparatus and image synthesizing method

Publication Date: 2010.07.27 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

An image synthesizing apparatus which generates, from plural images with differing resolutions and lighting conditions, a synthesized image in which the resolution of the original image is improved and the lighting conditions match those of the original image. The image synthesizing apparatus includes: a camera which acquires an original image and plural reference images; a reference image conversion unit; a coefficient calculation unit which calculates a conversion coefficient used in performing linear combination on the plural converted reference images and generating an original image; and an image synthesizing unit.