Infrared Subject Extraction via Background Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies face challenges in accurately extracting subjects from images when the colors of the subject and background are similar, leading to erroneous determinations and reduced precision.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that utilizes invisible light images captured with an infrared camera and lamp, where the infrared light is radiated only to the background, allowing for precise differentiation between subject and background regions by calculating pixel value differences between infrared and background images, and extracting the subject region based on a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If background differentiation method is used to rapidly extract subjects from images, then extraction speed is improved, but extraction precision deteriorates when subject and background colors are similar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visible light color information to invisible light (infrared) information. By capturing images in the infrared spectrum and comparing infrared reflectance between subject and background, the system achieves both rapid extraction and high precision even when visible colors are similar, as infrared reflection properties often differ between objects and backgrounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection layer by capturing invisible light images as an intermediate step. The subject extraction is performed by comparing the invisible light image with a background-only invisible light image, using the difference in infrared reflection as an intermediary indicator to identify subjects, thereby achieving both speed and precision.
2Productivity
If dynamic threshold control based on reference pixels is used, then processing efficiency is improved, but erroneous determination increases when colors are similar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/color-based threshold control system with an infrared-based detection system. Instead of dynamically adjusting color thresholds based on reference pixels, the system uses infrared reflectance differences, which provide more reliable differentiation between subjects and backgrounds with similar visible colors, thereby improving both efficiency and reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively inhibits the deterioration of subject extraction precision and reliably separates subjects from backgrounds with similar colors, improving the accuracy of subject extraction.
Implementation Method 1
an invisible light irradiation device is disposed so that invisible light is radiated to the background and the invisible light is not radiated to the subject
Implementation Method 2
a first invisible light image of only a background in which a subject is not included and a second invisible light image in which the subject and the background are included
Data Source
AI summary
It is possible to inhibit deterioration of extraction precision of a subject and reliably extract the subject even when colors of the subject and a background are the same or similar. An image processing device 1 includes an input unit 11 configured to input a first invisible light image of only a background in which a subject is not included and a second invisible light image in which the subject and the background are included and a subject region extraction unit 15 configured to calculate a difference between a pixel value of each pixel of the second invisible light image and a pixel value of a corresponding pixel of the first invisible light image, determine whether the pixel is in a subject region or a background region in accordance with whether the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and extract the subject region from the second invisible light image. The first and second invisible light images are images captured in an environment in which an invisible light irradiation device is disposed so that invisible light is radiated to the background and the invisible light is not radiated to the subject.