Material Appearance Processing for Perceptual Gloss Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing material appearance representation technologies face challenges in reducing data volume while maintaining image quality, particularly due to artifacts caused by varying feature quantities in specular reflection.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that converts specular reflection intensity to perception intensity based on visual characteristics and resamples it according to diffuse reflection intensity, using a visual characteristic curve to minimize data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If material appearance information is compressed by associating representative values with decomposed constituent elements, then data volume is reduced, but image quality degradation occurs due to artifacts from arbitrary selection of representative values

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata volumeVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the specular reflection intensity parameter into a perception-based parameter (gloss intensity) using a visual characteristic curve. This parameter transformation allows the data to be compressed while preserving visual quality, as the compression is performed on the perceptually relevant parameter rather than the raw physical parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the conventional compression approach (arbitrary representative value selection) with a perception-based compression method. Instead of mechanically selecting representative values from decomposed elements, the system uses visual characteristic curves to transform and resample the data, substituting a data-driven perceptual model for a mechanical compression process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If specular reflection intensity is compressed without considering visual characteristics, then compression efficiency increases, but human-perceived image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidperceived image quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter from physical specular reflection intensity to perception-based gloss intensity using visual characteristic curves. This allows compression to be performed on the perceptually relevant parameter, achieving both high compression efficiency and maintained perceived image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The visual characteristic curve acts as an intermediary between the raw specular reflection intensity and the compressed representation. This intermediary transforms the physical parameter into a perception-based parameter, enabling compression that respects human visual characteristics and avoids quality degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12450826B2Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 CANON KK

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes one or more memories and one or more processors. The one or more processors and the one or more memories are configured to acquire material appearance information including specular reflection information, convert the specular reflection information to an intensity of perception in accordance with visual characteristics for a gloss intensity, and resample the intensity of perception.