Multi-Directional Phase Difference Detection for Edge Area Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques, such as stereo matching, struggle to accurately calculate phase differences in images containing edge areas, leading to incorrect phase difference distributions and subsequent incorrect distance information.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and method that detects phase differences between parallax images by performing correlation value calculations along multiple directions, generating phase difference distributions by combining results from these directions, thereby reducing the influence of edge areas and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If single-direction phase difference detection is used, then processing simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates in edge areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-direction phase difference detection to multi-directional detection by adding directional dimension. Specifically, it performs phase difference detection in both horizontal and vertical directions, allowing the system to overcome the limitations of edge areas that cause failure in single-direction detection. This dimensional expansion enables accurate phase difference measurement even in regions where traditional single-direction methods fail.
2Measurement precision
If multi-directional phase difference detection is performed, then measurement precision improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing edge detection before phase difference detection. The edge detection results are used to identify edge areas that would cause problems in subsequent phase difference detection. This preliminary identification allows the system to selectively apply multi-directional detection only where needed, rather than uniformly across the entire image, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining accuracy in critical regions.
3Reliability
If conventional stereo matching is used, then processing simplicity is maintained, but reliability deteriorates due to edge area interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces edge detection as an intermediary step between image acquisition and phase difference detection. This intermediary process identifies problematic edge areas that would otherwise cause unreliable phase difference measurements. By using edge detection results to guide the phase difference detection process, the system achieves more reliable results in edge areas without requiring complete redesign of the detection methodology.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a phase difference detection portion configured to detect phase difference between parallax images by performing correlation value calculation with the parallax images, and generate phase difference distribution in an image. The phase difference detection portion performs the phase difference detection individually along two or more directions different from each other, and generates the phase difference distribution by utilizing results of the phase difference detection regarding the two or more directions.