Radiation Noise Reduction in Optical Inspection via Frame Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inspection methods in high-radiation environments, such as nuclear power plants, face challenges with visibility due to radiation noise, which degrades image quality and makes it difficult to obtain reliable inspections, especially with complex structures and varying radiation doses, and existing solutions like radiation shields increase size and weight, limiting mobility and practicality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves fetching multiple frames from an optical camera with different time phases, aligning them locally to synthesize frames with a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and applying frame synthesis techniques to reduce radiation noise while maintaining signal components, using color information from RGB cameras to calculate noise levels and adjust processing parameters based on noise amounts for improved image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation shield is provided to reduce radiation noise, then image quality is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple copies of the same image frame taken at different times and synthesizes them to create a high-quality image. Instead of using physical radiation shields to block noise, the system creates multiple copies of the image data and processes them together to eliminate radiation noise while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple image frames captured at different times into a single synthesized image. By combining the information from multiple frames and using correlation analysis to identify and retain consistent features while eliminating random radiation noise, the system achieves high image quality without physical shielding.
2Reliability
If multiple frames are synthesized to reduce radiation noise, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary correlation analysis between frames to pre-identify consistent features and their spatial relationships before the full synthesis process. This preliminary action establishes a framework that guides the subsequent synthesis, reducing the computational time required to process multiple frames while maintaining high image quality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If smoothing filter is applied to reduce radiation noise, then noise is reduced, but high-frequency signal components are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing characteristics to different regions of the image based on local correlation analysis. Areas with high correlation between frames are treated to preserve sharp edges and high-frequency components, while areas with low correlation are processed to eliminate noise. This localized approach maintains signal accuracy while reducing radiation noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses correlation analysis as feedback to guide the synthesis process. By continuously analyzing the correlation between frames and adjusting the synthesis weights accordingly, the system selectively enhances consistent features while suppressing noise, avoiding the blurring effect of traditional smoothing filters.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If median filter is applied to reduce radiation noise, then noise is reduced, but performance deteriorates when noise amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the synthesis process based on the measured noise level in each frame. When radiation noise is detected to be high, the system increases the weight given to correlated frames and strengthens the synthesis operation. When noise is low, the system uses fewer frames and lighter processing. This dynamic adaptation maintains high denoising performance across varying noise conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
In order to obtain a quality image without deterioration owing to radiation noise in inspection using the optical video camera in high radiation environment, an inspection apparatus is formed of an image pick-up unit, an image obtaining unit which fetches a video image that contains a signal (noise) that is substantially independent of each frame obtained by the image pick-up unit, a local alignment unit which locally aligns frames with different time phases for forming the image fetched by the image obtaining unit, a frame synthesizing unit which synthesizes the plurality of frames aligned by the local alignment unit for generating a synthesis frame with an SN ratio higher than the SN ratio of the frame before frame synthesis, and an image output unit for displaying or recording the image formed of the synthesis frame generated by the frame synthesizing unit.