Virtual Light Source Direction for Shadow Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques fail to automatically determine an appropriate direction for a virtual light source to produce desired shadows, leading to inadequate shadow generation in images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device with a shape acquisition unit, region detection units, and a direction setting unit that calculates and sets the direction of a virtual light source based on shape information and region data to project shadows from a first region onto a second region, enabling the generation of appropriate shadows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a virtual light source direction is set to avoid shading a person's face by a shield, then the face protection is improved, but the ability to produce appropriate shadows is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing divides the scene into multiple regions: a first region (the shield or occluding object), a second region (the target surface), and a third region (the subject). By segmenting the shadow generation process into region detection, direction calculation, and selective application, the system can protect specific areas (like faces) while still generating appropriate shadows in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The shadow generation applies different qualities to different regions of the image. The system detects the second region onto which shadows should be projected and applies shadows selectively to this region while avoiding the third region (subject). This allows local customization of shadow application, protecting faces while maintaining shadow effects elsewhere.
2Manufacturing precision
If automatic determination of virtual light source direction is implemented, then shadow generation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the first region (shield) and second region (target surface) before generating shadows. By pre-identifying these regions and calculating the projection direction in advance, the system simplifies the subsequent shadow generation process while maintaining high accuracy in shadow placement and direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary calculation process that determines the projection direction based on the detected first and second regions. This intermediary step (calculating the direction from the shield to the target surface) acts as a mediator between region detection and shadow generation, simplifying the overall complexity by breaking down the problem into manageable sequential steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a shape acquisition unit configured to acquire shape information of a subject, a first region detection unit configured to detect a first region generating a shadow of the subject, a second region detection unit configured to detect a second region onto which the shadow is projected, a virtual light source direction setting unit configured to determine a direction of a virtual light source in which the first region projects the shadow onto the second region on the basis of the shape information, the first region, and the second region, and an image generation unit configured to generate an image with the shadow on the basis of the shape information and the determined direction of the virtual light source.