Noise Reduction for Accurate Diffuse Reflection Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for estimating diffuse reflection components in images are degraded by noise, leading to inaccurate pixel extraction and estimation due to hue variation, especially when pixels from objects with different diffuse reflectances are mixed.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that performs a noise reduction process on the input image to obtain a second hue with reduced noise, allowing for accurate extraction of pixels and estimation of diffuse reflection components, using a combination of noise reduction techniques such as bilateral filters and guided filters, and fitting methods to exclude specular reflection outliers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pixels are extracted based on hue from input images containing noise, then pixel extraction can be performed, but extraction accuracy is degraded due to hue variation caused by noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing noise reduction on the input image before extracting pixels based on hue. The noise reduction process is executed in advance to produce a cleaned image, ensuring that subsequent pixel extraction operates on noise-reduced data, thereby preventing noise-induced hue variation from degrading extraction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a noise-reduced intermediate image as a mediator between the original noisy input image and the final pixel extraction process. This intermediate representation filters out noise while preserving essential color information, enabling accurate hue-based pixel extraction without direct exposure to noise-induced variations.
2Quantity of substance
If hue range for pixel extraction is increased to compensate for noise variation, then more pixels can be extracted, but pixels from objects with different diffuse reflectances are mixed, degrading estimation accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing noise reduction before pixel extraction. By cleaning the input image in advance, the noise-induced hue variations are eliminated, allowing for a narrower and more precise hue range to be used during extraction. This ensures that only pixels from objects with similar diffuse reflectance are extracted, maintaining estimation accuracy while still capturing sufficient pixels.
3Measurement precision
If noise reduction process is applied to input image, then noise influence is reduced and extraction accuracy is improved, but processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the noise reduction process to operate specifically on hue information rather than the entire image. By changing the processing parameter to target only the hue channel, the system reduces computational complexity and processing time while still achieving effective noise reduction that improves extraction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the noise reduction operation from the complete image processing pipeline and applying it specifically to the hue component. This segmentation allows the noise reduction to be performed only where necessary (on hue data) rather than on all image data, reducing overall processing time while maintaining extraction accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more image processing apparatuses, imaging apparatuses, image processing methods, image processing programs, and recording mediums are provided herein. At least one image processing apparatus includes a hue obtaining unit configured to perform a noise reduction process on an input image or a first hue of the input image so as to obtain a second hue having reduced noise, an extraction unit configured to extract a plurality of pixels from the input image based on the second hue having the reduced noise, and an estimation unit configured to estimate diffuse reflection components based on the plurality of extracted pixels.