Polarization Degree Correction Using Noise Variance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Polarization images often contain noise, which affects the accuracy of object surface information such as polarization degree, leading to reduced precision in processes utilizing this information.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that calculates and corrects object surface information based on noise variance, using change characteristic information to minimize differences and improve robustness to noise, including correction of polarization degree, zenith angle, and reflection components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If polarization images are used to detect object surface information, then surface shape and polarization degree can be obtained, but noise in the polarization images degrades the accuracy of the obtained information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful noise into a useful parameter by calculating noise variance from the polarization image data. The noise amount calculation unit computes noise variance for each pixel, and this calculated noise information is then used to guide the correction process, transforming the harmful noise into a beneficial correction criterion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter state by introducing noise variance as a correction parameter. The information correction unit uses the calculated noise variance to adjust object surface information through correction gain application, fundamentally changing how the information is processed from direct use to noise-compensated use.
2Reliability
If object surface information is corrected using noise amount calculation, then robustness to noise is improved, but calculation complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating noise variance from the polarization image before using it to correct object surface information. The noise amount calculation unit performs this preliminary noise characterization, and the results are stored and applied during the correction phase, streamlining the overall process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the noise variance calculation and correction gain computation - that mediates between the raw polarization image and the final corrected object surface information. This intermediary process systematically bridges the gap between noisy input and reliable output.
3Measurement precision
If correction gain is applied to minimize difference from calculated information, then accuracy is improved, but processing time increases due to iterative optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the calculated noise variance to determine correction gain, which then adjusts the object surface information. The correction process uses the noise characteristics as feedback to optimize the correction amount, systematically reducing the difference between calculated and corrected information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by adjusting correction gain based on noise variance levels. Different noise conditions result in different correction gains being applied, dynamically adapting the correction strength to match the actual noise conditions in the image.
Data Source
AI summary
A polarization imaging unit generates, as polarization information, a polarization image including pixels in a plurality of polarization directions. An interpolation processing unit of an information processor performs interpolation processing using the polarization image obtained from the polarization imaging unit, and generates a polarization image for each polarization method. A polarization degree calculation unit calculates, for example, a polarization degree for each pixel as object surface information on the basis of the polarization image for each polarization method. A noise amount calculation unit calculates a noise amount for each pixel on the basis of the polarization image for each polarization method and the like. A polarization degree correction unit serves as an information correction unit, and corrects, according to the noise amount calculated by the noise amount calculation unit, the polarization degree that is object surface information calculated by the polarization degree calculation unit.