Signal Processing Device for Moire Control and Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional signal processing methods using the spatial pixel shifting method suffer from reduced high frequency component resolution when dealing with subjects of high chroma, leading to the moire effect and inadequate cancellation of folding components.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing method that includes low frequency component separation, adjustment value setting, common high frequency component calculation, and adjustment of signal levels to generate and add adjusted high frequency components to low frequency components, effectively controlling the moire effect and maintaining high resolution across varying chroma levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the spatial pixel shifting method is used to obtain high frequency components, then the sampling frequency is doubled, but folding components are generated at frequencies equal to or more than the Nyquist frequency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesampling frequencyVSAvoidfolding component
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful folding components into beneficial information by using them to generate a common high frequency component. The folding components from R and B signals, which were previously harmful artifacts, are now utilized to create a common high frequency component that is added to the G signal, effectively eliminating the moire effect while preserving high frequency information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a common high frequency component as an intermediary element. This common high frequency component is generated from the folding components of R and B signals and serves as a mediator to replace the high frequency components of the G signal, thereby eliminating the harmful folding components while maintaining high frequency information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the common high frequency component is added to the low frequency component of each color, then the folding component is reduced, but the high frequency component resolution is sacrificed for high chroma subjects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding component cancellationVSAvoidhigh frequency component resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of how the common high frequency component is added to the low frequency component. Instead of using a fixed ratio, the patent dynamically adjusts the addition ratio based on the chroma level of the subject. For high chroma subjects, a smaller ratio is used to preserve high frequency resolution, while for low chroma subjects, a larger ratio is used to effectively cancel folding components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the ratio of common high frequency component to low frequency component is reduced for high chroma subjects, then the moire effect is controlled, but the high frequency component resolution is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoire effect controlVSAvoidhigh frequency component resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the addition ratio dynamic rather than static. The ratio is dynamically adjusted based on the chroma level of the subject being processed. For high chroma subjects, a smaller ratio is applied to control the moire effect, while for low chroma subjects, a larger ratio is applied to maximize folding component cancellation. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both moire control and high frequency resolution according to the specific imaging conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2001244B1Signal processing method and signal processing device
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2001244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2001244B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2001244B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A common high frequency component common to signals adjusted based on a local similarity of signal amplitudes thereof before sampling so that folding components therein are cancelled is generated, and the generated common high frequency component is adjusted to a ratio corresponding to the balance of the original signal. The adjusted high frequency component is added to a low frequency component of each signal.