Parallax Image Smoothing Filter for Asymmetrical Blur Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-lens stereoscopic imaging systems face challenges in generating natural stereoscopic images due to differences in shading and asymmetrical blur characteristics between left and right parallax images, which affect the parallax amount and image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that inputs parallax images from different viewpoints, applies smoothing filters to reduce parallax differences, generates gain distribution data to correct pixel gains, and adjusts parallax amounts by varying the filter diameter of the smoothing filter to achieve balanced image output for stereoscopic display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single optical system is used to generate left and right parallax images, then the device complexity is reduced, but asymmetrical blur and shading differences occur between the parallax images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies smoothing filters to the parallax images before generating the final stereoscopic output. This preliminary processing step equalizes the asymmetrical blur and shading characteristics of the left and right parallax images captured by the single optical system, ensuring consistent image quality without requiring complex dual-optical-system hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies image processing parameters by applying different smoothing filter strengths to different regions of the parallax images. By adjusting the smoothing degree based on local image characteristics, the system compensates for the asymmetrical blur and shading effects while maintaining overall image quality consistency across both parallax views
2Manufacturing precision
If smoothing filters are applied to correct asymmetrical blur, then image quality is improved, but the parallax amount is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies smoothing filters selectively to specific regions of the parallax images rather than uniformly across the entire image. By concentrating smoothing operations in areas with significant asymmetrical blur while preserving parallax-rich regions, the system improves local image quality without substantially reducing the overall parallax amount needed for stereoscopic depth perception
3Manufacturing precision
If gain correction is applied to equalize shading, then shading uniformity is improved, but image processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gain correction operation with the smoothing filter application in a unified image processing pipeline. By integrating these two functions into a single processing stage rather than executing them as separate sequential operations, the system achieves shading uniformity improvement while minimizing the increase in processing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device including means for: inputting two parallax images composed of images of first and second viewpoint directions; generating first and second smoothed images by applying, respectively to the images of the first and second viewpoint directions, a smoothing filter in a direction joining the first and second viewpoints; generating a reference image formed by a value based on a product of values of the first and second smoothed images; generating gain distribution data by dividing a value of the reference image by the value of the first smoothed image; performing gain correction of each pixel on the image of the first viewpoint direction, based on the gain distribution data; and outputting the gain corrected image of the first viewpoint direction as a parallax image, the smoothing filter having a filter diameter approximately equal to a parallax amount between the images of the first and second viewpoint directions.