Reflection Characteristic Profile for Accurate Appearance Reproduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to accurately reproduce the reflection characteristics of an object, particularly the diffuse reflection component, which changes nonlinearly with varying light sources, leading to incorrect reproduction of the object's appearance.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that measures reflected light from an object in multiple directions and derives the characteristics of specular reflection, internal diffuse reflection, and surface diffuse reflection, allowing for the generation of a reflection characteristic profile that accurately represents the object's appearance under different light conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the BRDF is processed intact to reproduce the appearance of the object, then the accuracy of appearance reproduction is improved, but the data amount becomes huge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance reproduction accuracyVSAvoiddata amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BRDF into three distinct reflection components: specular reflection light, internal diffuse reflection light, and surface diffuse reflection light. Each component is derived separately through specific measurement and calculation procedures, allowing the complex BRDF data to be divided into manageable parts that can be stored and processed more efficiently while maintaining reproduction accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential characteristics of each reflection component from the full BRDF data. By isolating and deriving the characteristics of specular, internal diffuse, and surface diffuse reflection light separately, the method removes redundant information while preserving the critical appearance-reproducing properties, thus reducing the overall data quantity requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If a reflection model is used to approximate the BRDF, then the data amount is reduced, but the accuracy of appearance reproduction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata amountVSAvoidappearance reproduction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by treating each reflection component differently based on its specific characteristics. Instead of using a single unified approximation model for all reflection light, the method derives and stores characteristics specific to each component (specular, internal diffuse, surface diffuse), allowing each to be reproduced with appropriate precision while maintaining overall data efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If only the diffuse reflection characteristic is reproduced, then the data processing is simplified, but the accuracy of appearance reproduction under different light sources deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing complexityVSAvoidappearance reproduction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the diffuse reflection into two distinct components: internal diffuse reflection light and surface diffuse reflection light. Each component is derived through separate measurement and calculation procedures, allowing them to be stored and reproduced independently. This segmentation enables accurate reproduction of appearance under different light sources while maintaining manageable data processing complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables the correct reproduction of an object's appearance by separating and calculating the three reflection components, ensuring accurate representation of color and gloss across varying viewpoints and light sources.

Implementation Method 1

obtaining a plurality of measurement values by receiving, from each of a plurality of directions, reflected light from an object illuminated by light from a given direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10837903B2Information processing apparatus, method of deriving reflection characteristics, program, and reflection characteristic profile

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 CANON KK

AI summary

To provide a technique of obtaining the reflection characteristics of an object, which can reproduce the appearance of the object more correctly, an information processing apparatus obtains a plurality of measurement values by receiving, from each of a plurality of directions, reflected light from an object illuminated by light from a given direction, and derives, based on the plurality of measurement values, a characteristic of specular reflection light as a reflected light component in a specular reflection direction corresponding to the given direction with respect to a surface of the object, a characteristic of internal diffuse reflection light as a reflected light component after scattering and absorption in the object, and a characteristic of surface diffuse reflection light as a reflected light component which has been diffused on the surface of the object.