Image Sequence Enhancement via Prime Layer Blending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital image processing techniques for enhancing motion pictures or videos are computationally intensive and time-consuming, especially when dealing with high-resolution images and sophisticated motion tracking, making it difficult for postproduction facilities to meet tight schedules and client satisfaction, and they struggle to maintain consistent visual quality across various display platforms.

Innovation Solution

The method involves computing multiple prime layer image sequences with distinct artistic styles, blending them using a weighted function to achieve a desired visual appearance, and fine-tuning the weights for optimal results, allowing for simpler and faster processing methods to generate renditions that can be combined for final output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If sophisticated motion tracking algorithms are used to enhance visual quality, then image quality attributes (noise reduction, deblurring, detail enhancement) are improved, but computing time increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual qualityVSAvoidcomputing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image processing task into multiple independent prime layer sequences, each processed separately with different rendering parameters. This allows parallel processing and reduces the computational burden on any single processing path, thereby reducing overall computing time while maintaining visual quality enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-computing multiple prime layer sequences with different rendering parameters before the final blending. This allows the system to have enhancement options ready in advance, avoiding the need for time-consuming re-processing when adjustments are needed, thus reducing total computing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple render passes are performed to fine-tune image quality, then visual quality is improved, but productivity decreases due to repeated computation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual qualityVSAvoidprocessing throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the rendering process into multiple prime layers that can be independently processed and then blended. This segmentation allows different rendering passes to work on separate layers simultaneously rather than sequentially, improving productivity while maintaining the ability to fine-tune visual quality through parameter adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple prime layer sequences with different rendering characteristics into a single final output through blending operations. This combining approach allows the system to leverage multiple render passes' quality improvements without requiring sequential execution, thereby maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If image data is processed for each display platform separately, then visual appearance consistency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform adaptabilityVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal processing system that generates multiple prime layer sequences with different rendering parameters that can be adapted to various display platforms. This multi-functional approach allows a single processing pipeline to serve multiple platforms without requiring separate dedicated systems for each platform, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves platform adaptability by changing rendering parameters across different prime layer sequences rather than creating entirely separate processing systems. By adjusting parameters such as rendering quality, detail level, and processing intensity, the system can adapt to different display platforms while maintaining a unified processing architecture, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3743882B1Enhancing image data with appearance controls
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 IMAX CORP
  • EP3743882B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3743882B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3743882B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A digital image sequence with multiple image frames can be enhanced. An appearance graph can be determined from the digital image sequence. The appearance graph includes prime layer nodes. Each prime layer node can represent a distinctive visual style. A prime layer image sequence can be computed for each prime layer node that matches the visual style represented by the prime layer node. An enhanced image sequence can be generated by blending at least two prime layer image sequences as defined by the appearance graph.