Videoconference Image Enhancement Using Scene Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional videoconferencing devices struggle to capture high-quality images in low-light or backlight conditions, leading to poor image quality and an unsatisfactory user experience.
Innovation Solution
The system generates face and scene models based on images captured under good conditions and adjusts captured images in real-time using these models to enhance image quality, even in poor lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional computer devices are used for videoconferencing, then device simplicity and portability are maintained, but image quality deteriorates in low-light or backlight conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a synthesized image by copying and combining elements from a pre-stored high-quality reference image with the captured low-quality image. The reference image serves as a template that contains ideal facial features and lighting conditions, which are then overlaid onto the captured image to produce a high-quality output without requiring expensive hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image processing system as an intermediary between the captured image and the final displayed image. This intermediary process involves detecting facial regions, retrieving reference images, and synthesizing a corrected image that bridges the quality gap between poor capture conditions and desired output quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If special lighting devices are used to improve image quality, then image quality improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using physical lighting devices to improve image capture, the patent copies ideal lighting conditions from pre-stored reference images and applies them through image synthesis. This software-based approach eliminates the need for expensive hardware lighting setups while achieving similar image quality improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical solution of special lighting devices with a computational approach. Rather than physically altering the capture environment with additional lighting equipment, the system uses image processing algorithms to correct lighting issues in post-processing, substituting hardware complexity with software intelligence.
3Manufacturing precision
If special lighting devices are used to improve image quality, then image quality improves, but flexibility and portability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses software-based image synthesis that can run on standard computer devices, eliminating the need for specialized lighting hardware. This allows the system to maintain full portability and flexibility while achieving high image quality, as the reference images and processing algorithms can be stored and executed on any conventional device.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system improves image quality, such as during a videoconference, by adjusting one or more captured images based on a model of a scene, a conference participant's face or a combination thereof. The images are adjusted in response to identification of relatively poor ambient conditions for image capture. The imaging system, such as a videoconference system, is thus able to display relatively high-quality images even in relatively poor conditions for image capture.