Image Quality Assessment Using Phase Difference Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for inspecting structures using captured images fail to accurately determine image quality, leading to unnecessary recapturing of images, especially in remote locations, due to the lack of consideration for image focus and resolution in determining whether images need to be recaptured.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that assesses image quality by using a full image plane phase difference image sensor to calculate defocus amounts and determine whether captured images meet predetermined imaging conditions, allowing for the identification of images that need to be recaptured based on focus and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional techniques are used to determine image quality, then recapturing decisions are made quickly, but image quality assessment is inaccurate leading to unnecessary recapturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image quality assessment using defocus amount calculation and imaging condition verification before final recapturing decisions are made. This preliminary action identifies images that definitely meet quality standards, preventing unnecessary recapturing and reducing time loss while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual observation of image quality with automated computational methods including defocus amount calculation and imaging condition verification. This substitution provides objective, precise measurement of image quality parameters, eliminating the inaccuracy of human judgment while enabling efficient processing.
2Measurement precision
If manual visual observation is used to determine image quality, then no additional processing is required, but accurate determination of focus and resolution quality is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual visual observation with automated computational analysis including defocus amount calculation and imaging condition verification. This provides objective, precise measurement of focus and resolution quality that cannot be achieved through human observation, justifying the added processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment of image quality by automatically calculating defocus amounts and verifying imaging conditions without requiring external manual intervention. This self-service capability provides consistent, accurate quality determination while reducing the need for complex external evaluation systems.
3Reliability
If all images are recaptured to ensure quality, then image quality is guaranteed, but labor and time costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary verification of imaging conditions and defocus amount calculation to identify images that meet quality standards before final inspection. This preliminary action ensures reliability by systematically checking quality parameters while improving productivity by eliminating unnecessary recapturing of already-qualified images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from binary recapture decisions to continuous parameter-based assessment using defocus amounts and imaging condition verification. This allows images to be evaluated based on actual quality parameters, ensuring reliability through objective measurement while improving productivity by allowing use of images that meet quality thresholds without recapture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces labor and time by accurately identifying images with poor quality, ensuring only unsuitable images are recaptured, thereby improving the reliability of deformation detection and combination processing in image inspections.
Implementation Method 1
uses a full image plane phase difference image sensor to calculate defocus amounts
Data Source
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AI summary
An image quality determination (S205) is performed on a captured image (S201) based on at least one of an in-focus degree, a frequency analysis result, and imaging resolution. Whether the image is unsuitable (S207) for combining processing or processing for detecting a deformation occurring in an object to be imaged is determined based on a result of the image quality determination. An image unsuitable for the combination processing or the processing for detecting a deformation occurring in the object to be imaged is identified to be an image to be recaptured (S208).