Transition Area Detection for Image Upconversion Edge Sharpness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-processing apparatuses blur the transition area between image and non-image display areas during upconversion, degrading image quality by mixing edges and causing blurry transitions, which affects the calculation of image boundaries.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that detect transition areas by calculating line representative values, first-order, and second-order differentiations to align edges and separate image processing for image, non-image, and transition areas, preventing blurry transitions and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a scaler upconverts a low-resolution image to display the low-resolution image on a high-resolution display device, then the image can be displayed on the display device, but the edges of the image display area and non-image display area are mixed together and blurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into three distinct areas: image display area, non-image display area, and transition area. By detecting the transition area as a separate region and processing it independently, the patent prevents the blurring that occurs when edges are mixed together during upconversion. This segmentation allows each area to be processed with appropriate parameters, maintaining edge sharpness while enabling compatibility between different resolutions.
2Device complexity
If the transition area is included in the image display area or non-image display area during processing, then the processing can be simplified, but the image quality is degraded due to blurry transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing into three separate operations: detecting the transition area, processing the image display area, and processing the non-image display area. Although this increases processing steps, it ensures reliable image quality by preventing the transition area from being mixed with either the image or non-image areas. The segmentation allows each area to be processed with optimized parameters, maintaining image quality while providing a clear framework for implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the transition area as a separate region from the image display area and non-image display area. By taking out the transition area and processing it independently, the patent eliminates the harmful mixing of edges that would occur if the transition area were included in the other areas. This extraction ensures that the transition area is handled with appropriate parameters, preventing image quality degradation.
3Shape
If existing image-processing apparatus displays black letterboxes or pillar boxes to handle resolution mismatch, then the aspect ratio can be maintained, but the image quality is degraded due to black borders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing parameters to different areas of the image. The transition area is processed with parameters optimized for gradual transitions, while the image display area and non-image display area are processed with their respective optimized parameters. This local quality approach maintains aspect ratio preservation through proper area definition while improving image quality by avoiding the harsh black borders of traditional letterbox/pillarbox methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method of detecting a transition area and an apparatus for processing an image using the same. The apparatus includes a line representative value calculator configured to calculate line representative values of an image including a non-image display area, an image display area, and a transition area interposed between the non-image display area and the image display area, and a transition area detector configured to calculate first-order and second-order differentiations of the line representative values, calculate a threshold value of the transition area using first-order and second-order-differentiation-representative-values of a first line group including a plurality of lines in a window including a plurality of lines and first-order and second-order-differentiation-representative-values of a second line group including a plurality of lines, and detect the transition area.