Imaging Apparatus Subject-Selective Noise Addition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processing methods in electronic cameras require uniform noise addition or user-specific noise placement, leading to increased noise in unintended areas or complex user operations, failing to effectively enhance the sharpness of main subjects.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus with an imaging section, subject extracting section, and image processing section that captures images, extracts main subjects, and performs noise addition or reduction processes selectively based on the subject's position, using focus detection and face recognition to automatically enhance sharpness without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If noise is added uniformly to the whole image, then the sharpness of the main subject is improved, but the noise increases in areas where the user does not intend
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing noise addition selectively only in the main subject area rather than uniformly across the entire image. The image processing section identifies the main subject area and applies noise addition process only to that specific region, leaving other areas unaffected. This resolves the contradiction by improving sharpness where needed while avoiding unnecessary noise in other areas.
2Measurement precision
If the user specifies the place where noise is to be added, then the sharpness of the main subject is improved, but the operation becomes very complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the imaging apparatus to automatically identify and extract the main subject area without requiring user intervention. The subject extracting section autonomously analyzes the image to determine where the main subject is located, and the image processing section automatically applies noise addition to that area. This eliminates the need for complex user operations while maintaining improved sharpness of the main subject.
3Measurement precision
If edge enhancement process is performed, then the sharpness of the image is improved, but unnatural edge enhancement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing edge enhancement selectively only in the main subject area rather than across the entire image. The image processing section restricts the edge enhancement process to the identified main subject region, preventing unnatural enhancement in background or other areas. This localized approach maintains sharpness improvement while avoiding the harmful effect of unnatural edges.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging section, a subject extracting section, and an image processing section. The imaging section captures an object image and generates data of an image. The subject extracting section extracts a main subject from the image. The image processing section performs a noise addition process on the data of the image to add noise for an area where the main subject is positioned within the image.