JP2010109706A - Image quality correction apparatus, image quality correction method, and image quality correction program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image quality correction apparatus, an image quality correction method, and image quality correction program that correct image quality of blurred edge parts at high speed with accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: A line or a curve forming a shape of an edge part is used for calculating a normal line in an edge pixel on the edge. An optional pixel located in a predetermined range from edge pixels is selected among a plurality of pixels that exist on the calculated normal line. The selected selection pixel is moved toward the edge pixel, and the concentration of the selection pixel is enhanced to correct the extracted edge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique of an image quality correction apparatus, an image quality correction method, and an image quality correction program for correcting the image quality of a blurred edge portion.

  Conventionally, it is known that the image quality of a subject to be photographed deteriorates depending on the photographing condition or the like. For example, when a building located far away is photographed, the outline or edge of the building may be ambiguous, or the color may be lighter than the original color. This is due to the number of pixels and the density of the object being photographed. Specifically, this is a phenomenon that occurs when the number of pixels at the time of photographing is insufficient with respect to the density of the object to be photographed.

  In addition, it is known that when the photographed object is enlarged, the outline and edge portions thereof are roughly displayed in a staircase shape due to the influence of block noise unique to the digital image, and the image quality is similarly deteriorated. .

Conventionally, for a captured image in which image quality has deteriorated in this way, even if the magnification of the optical lens is increased or the imaging resolution is increased by performing digital correction by smoothing called smoothing. Further, it was possible to clearly display an object photographed while reducing block noise or the like (see Non-Patent Document 1).
Supervised by Hideyuki Tamura, “Introduction to Computer Image Processing, Chapter 5 Image Feature Extraction, Analysis, and Recognition”, Soken Publishing, 1985, p.118-125 “Chapter 4 Basics of Image Reconstruction”, [online], [Search October 20, 2008], Internet <URL: http://www.iryokagaku.co.jp/frame/03-honwosagasu/370/ c-4.pdf> “Application of image treatment technology Bicubic conversion”, [online], [October 20, 2008 search], Internet <URL: http://www.jeol.co.jp/technical/eo/denshi-pro/ epma007 / epma007-1.htm>

  However, depending on the position of the target contour part or edge part, the amount of original information is reduced by smoothing, resulting in a problem that the entire image is blurred. For this blur, it is possible to improve the image quality by using a point spread function (see Non-Patent Document 2), but also because the image is estimated by applying the point spread function uniformly to the entire image. There is a problem that a specific edge portion cannot be accurately restored.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image quality correction apparatus, an image quality correction method, and an image quality correction program for correcting the image quality of a blurred edge portion at high speed and accurately.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image quality correction apparatus for correcting an image quality of a blurred edge portion, an accumulating unit that accumulates a photographed image obtained by photographing a certain object, and reads the photographed image from the accumulation unit. Then, a normal line at the edge pixel on the edge is obtained by using an extraction means for extracting the edge forming the object and a straight line or a curve forming the shape of the edge, and a plurality of pixels existing on the normal line are obtained. Correction that corrects the extracted edge by selecting an arbitrary pixel located within a predetermined range from the edge pixel, moving the selected pixel toward the edge pixel, and increasing the density of the pixel And a means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a movement rate for moving the selected pixel toward the edge pixel and a density increase rate for increasing the density of the pixel are obtained in association with the enlargement ratio of the image. The analyzing means further includes correcting the extracted edge using the movement rate and the density increase rate corresponding to the enlargement rate of the photographed image.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image quality correction method performed by the image quality correction device for correcting the image quality of the blurred edge portion, the image quality correction device stores a photographed image obtained by photographing a certain object in the storage means. A first step, a second step of reading the photographed image from the storage means, and extracting an edge forming the object; and a straight line or a curve forming the shape of the edge. A normal line at the edge pixel is obtained, and an arbitrary pixel located within a predetermined range from the edge pixel is selected from a plurality of pixels existing on the normal line, and the selected pixel is moved toward the edge pixel. And a third step of correcting the extracted edge by increasing the density of the pixel.

  According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a movement rate for moving the selected pixel toward the edge pixel and a density increase rate for increasing the density of the pixel are obtained in association with the enlargement ratio of the image. The third step is to correct the extracted edge using the movement rate and the density increase rate corresponding to the enlargement rate of the photographed image.

  The gist of the fifth aspect of the invention is that the computer executes each step in the image quality correction method according to the third or fourth aspect.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image quality correction apparatus, an image quality correction method, and an image quality correction program for correcting the image quality of a blurred edge portion at high speed and accurately.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a captured image in which the image quality of a captured target is deteriorated and a corrected image in which the image quality is corrected by an image quality correction apparatus described later. The photographed image shown in FIG. 1A shows a state in which photographing objects such as buildings and trees are entirely dim and blur is caused by a reduction in image quality. On the other hand, the corrected image shown in FIG. 1B shows a state in which the blur is eliminated and the image quality is improved.

  Here, when an arbitrary edge portion (outline portion) of the building in the photographed image and the corrected image is enlarged, the width of the edge portion of the photographed image becomes wider than the edge portion of the corrected image due to the effect of the blur. Regarding the gray value in the cross section (A-B cross section) of the portion, the graph of the gray value of the photographed image is wider than the graph of the gray value of the corrected image, and the peak value is lower than that of the corrected image. . For this reason, the edge portion of the captured image becomes unclear, and the entire captured image looks blurred.

  Accordingly, the present invention aims to obtain a corrected image as shown in FIG. 1B as a result of performing sharpening processing on the edge portion forming the object to be photographed.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image quality correction apparatus according to the first embodiment. The image quality correction apparatus 100 includes an input unit 11, an extraction unit 12, a correction unit 13, a display unit 14, and an image storage unit 31.

  The input unit 11 has a function of accepting an input of a photographed image in which a predetermined photographing target is blurred due to deterioration in image quality, as shown in FIG.

  The image accumulating unit 31 has a function of accumulating captured images input after being received by the input unit 11. As such an image storage unit 31, for example, a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk is generally used, and not only the image quality correction device 100 but also an external device that can be electrically connected via a communication network. It is also possible to use a storage device.

  The extraction unit 12 has a function of reading the captured image stored in the image storage unit 31 and extracting an edge portion forming the target imaged in the captured image. The edge portion is a portion where the gray value of the pixel is remarkably changed, and is a portion where the visual variation seen in the contour line, texture, etc. of the photographed object is very large. Therefore, when the grayscale value is expressed by a gradation of 0 to 255, the extraction unit 12 has, for each pixel constituting the captured image, the grayscale value of the target pixel adjacent to each pixel in the vertical and horizontal directions. For example, when it is 200 or more larger than the gray value, the target pixel is extracted as an edge portion.

  The correction unit 13 obtains a normal vector at the edge pixel on the edge portion using a straight line or a curve forming the shape of the edge portion, and among the plurality of pixels existing on the obtained normal vector, a predetermined range from the edge pixel A function of correcting an edge portion extracted by the extraction unit 12 by selecting an arbitrary pixel located inside and moving the selected selection pixel toward the edge pixel and increasing the density of the selected pixel is provided. ing.

  Here, the correction process of the correction unit 13 will be specifically described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the correction processing of the correction unit. An edge portion is represented by a set of a plurality of pixels, and each pixel is provided with a shade representing an edge. Further, in the periphery of the edge portion, low gray value pixels (light gray pixels) that cause blurring are present along the edge portion.

The correction unit 13 derives a mathematical expression of a straight line or a curve in a two-dimensional space using the two-dimensional coordinates (i, j) of each pixel forming the shape of the edge portion. For example, when the derived mathematical expression is a curve the, by calculating the first derivative of the curve, calculating the tangent slope of the curve at the edge pixel x ₀ on the edge. Then, the correction unit 13, the calculated tangential tilt seeking normal vector for the curve in the edge pixel x ₀ using, on the normal vector to a position spaced from the edge pixel x ₀ in place for example at a distance 2 pixels A pixel (selected pixel x ₁ , selected pixel x ₂ ) is selected. Here, since the graph of the relationship as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 is obtained for the gray value in the cross section (AB cross section) at the normal vector, in order to obtain an image as shown in FIG. , in other words, to the graph of relationship as shown by the broken line in FIG. 4, the correction unit 13, moves the selected pixel x ₁ and selected pixels x ₂ toward the position of the edge pixel x _0, select The density is changed high so that the gray values of the pixel x ₁ and the selected pixel x ₂ are close to the gray value of the edge pixel x ₀ .

  The display unit 14 has a function of displaying the captured image corrected by the correction unit 13.

  Subsequently, a processing flow of the image quality correction apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the image quality correction apparatus according to the first embodiment. First, the input unit 11 receives an input of a captured image obtained by capturing a predetermined target (step S101). Next, the image storage unit 31 temporarily stores the input captured image (step S102).

  Thereafter, the extraction unit 12 extracts a plurality of edge portions forming the target imaged in the captured image (step S103).

  Then, the correction unit 13 obtains a normal vector at the edge pixel on the edge portion, selects an arbitrary pixel existing on the obtained normal vector, moves the selected pixel toward the edge pixel, The extracted edge portion is corrected by increasing the density of the selected pixel (step S104).

  Further, the correction unit 13 determines whether or not the correction has been completed for all edge portions (step S105). If the correction has not been completed, the processing of step S104 is repeated until all the edge portions are corrected.

  Finally, the display unit 14 displays the corrected captured image (step S106).

  According to the present embodiment, a normal line at the edge pixel on the edge is obtained using a straight line or a curve that forms the shape of the edge portion, and a plurality of pixels existing on the obtained normal line are within a predetermined range from the edge pixel. Since the selected edge is selected, the selected pixel is moved toward the edge pixel, and the density of the selected pixel is increased to correct the extracted edge. Thus, it is possible to accurately correct the image quality of the blurred edge portion. In addition, since the correction processing described in this embodiment is a simple linear processing operation, it is possible to eliminate blurring near an edge, which is usually called ringing, at high speed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of processing for correcting a target edge portion in which blur occurs when a captured image is enlarged. FIG. 6 is a functional configuration diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image quality correction apparatus according to the second embodiment. The image quality correction apparatus 100 is configured to further include an analysis unit 15 and a correction rate accumulation unit 32 with respect to the image quality correction apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment.

When the gray value of the edge pixel x ₀ described with reference to FIG. 3 is IE (x ₀ ) and the gray value of an arbitrary selected pixel x _i on the normal vector is IE (x _i ), Equation (1) An evaluation calculation formula as shown in FIG. Equation (1) is adapted to calculate the average value of the difference of gray values between the selected pixel x _i as an edge pixel _{x 0 σ (x), σ} (x) as the value is smaller blur is small, sigma The larger the value, the larger the blur. Note that ne is the total number of pixels on the normal vector, and Ω is a set of pixels within a preset range on the normal vector.

Therefore, the correction unit 13 according to the present embodiment, by using equation (2) normalized by the distance between the formula (1) and the edge pixel x ₀ and the selected pixels x _1, when an enlarged photographed image the gradient values r was calculated using the density increase rate and pixel transfer rate corresponding to the calculated slope value r (explained in later about these concentrations increase and pixel transfer rate), the selected pixel x ₁ It is moved toward the position of the edge pixel x _0, changing the concentration of the selected pixel x _1. In the equation (2), the numerator on the right side means a difference between the gray value of the edge pixel x _{0 and} the gray value of the selected pixel x ₁ , and the denominator on the right side is between the edge pixel x ₀ and the selected pixel x ₁ . It means distance.

Incidentally, formula (2) is a formula for calculating the slope value r corresponding to the selected pixel x ₁ is an example of any of the selected pixel x _i, gradient value r in the same calculation method, even if the selected pixel x ₂ It goes without saying that can be calculated.

  The analysis unit 15 has a function of analyzing the density increase rate and the pixel movement rate corresponding to the magnification rate of the captured image. Here, the analysis method of the density increase rate and the pixel movement rate will be specifically described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining processing for analyzing the density increase rate and the pixel movement rate. The analysis unit 15 enlarges a photographed image obtained by photographing one straight line having a gray value I and a width X to 2 times, 4 times, or 6 times using a bicubic method (see non-patent document 3). The enlarged image is generated. At this time, as the enlargement ratio increases, the width of the straight line becomes thicker and the gradation value decreases. For example, the gradation value of an enlarged image having a magnification ratio of 2 is 1/3 times the gradation value I and the width is 2 of width X. Suppose that it has become .04 times. On the other hand, it is assumed that an ideal gray value in an enlarged image with an enlargement ratio of 2 is 1/2 times and a width is 2 times.

  Here, when the photographed image is magnified twice, the analysis unit 15 changes the gray value of 1/3 times to the gray value of 1/2 times with respect to the gradient value r shown in Expression (2). Therefore, the image after enlargement is analyzed so as to give a density increase rate of 3/2 (= (1/2) / (1/3)). Further, in order to make the width of 2.04 times double, the enlarged image is analyzed so as to give a pixel movement rate of 2 / 2.04. Thereafter, the analysis unit 15 similarly analyzes the enlarged images of other magnifications, thereby changing the density increase rate and the pixel movement rate with respect to the predetermined gradient value r to the enlarged rate of the captured image, as shown in FIG. It has a function to generate a correction rate associated with it.

  It should be noted that the density increase rate and the pixel movement rate can be generated by the same calculation for other enlargement factors such as 10 times and 15 times as necessary, and the original photographed image before enlargement can be obtained. It is also possible to prepare a plurality of images, calculate a plurality of density increase rates and a plurality of pixel movement rates for the same magnification for each original photographed image, and use the average values as the density increase rate and the pixel movement rate.

  The correction rate accumulation unit 32 has a function of accumulating the density increase rate and the pixel movement rate analyzed by the analysis unit 15.

  Subsequently, a processing flow of the image quality correction apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the image quality correction apparatus according to the second embodiment. First, the analysis unit 15 analyzes a density increase rate and a pixel movement rate corresponding to a predetermined enlargement rate (step S201). Next, the correction rate accumulation unit 32 accumulates the analyzed density increase rate and pixel movement rate (step S202).

  Subsequently, the input unit 11 receives an input of a captured image obtained by capturing a predetermined target (step S203). Then, the image storage unit 31 temporarily stores the input captured image (step S204).

  Thereafter, the extraction unit 12 reads the captured image from the image storage unit 31, and when the read captured image is magnified, for example, twice, a plurality of edge portions forming a target included in the enlarged image are displayed. Extract (step S205).

  Then, the correction unit 13 obtains a normal vector at the edge pixel on the edge portion, selects an arbitrary pixel existing on the obtained normal vector, and uses the gray value and the two-dimensional coordinates of the edge pixel and the selected pixel. The gradient value r shown in equation (2) is calculated. Thereafter, the correction unit 13 reads the density increase rate and the pixel movement rate corresponding to the calculated gradient value r from the correction rate accumulation unit 32, and the read density increase rate and the pixel movement are doubled. The selected pixel is moved toward the edge pixel using the rate, and the density of the selected pixel is increased to correct the extracted edge portion (step S206).

  Further, the correction unit 13 determines whether or not the correction has been completed for all edge portions (step S207). If the correction has not been completed, the processing of step S206 is repeated until all the edge portions are corrected.

  Finally, the display unit 14 displays the corrected captured image (step S208).

  According to the present embodiment, the pixel movement rate and the density increase rate are obtained in association with the image enlargement rate, and the edge portion is corrected by using the movement rate and the density increase rate corresponding to the enlargement rate of the captured image. Therefore, it is possible to correct the image quality of the blurred edge portion more quickly.

  Finally, the image quality correction apparatus described in each embodiment is configured by a computer, and each process of each functional block is executed by a program. Further, each processing operation of the image quality correction apparatus described in each embodiment is recorded as a program on a recording medium such as a compact disk or a floppy (registered trademark) disk, and this recording medium is incorporated in a computer, or is recorded on the recording medium. The program recorded in the above is downloaded to a computer via an arbitrary communication line or installed from a recording medium, and the computer is operated by the program, so that each processing operation described above functions as an image quality correction device. Of course you can.

  It should be noted that the image quality correction apparatus described in the present embodiment is applicable particularly in the technical fields of the multimedia field, the coding field, the communication field, and the video monitoring field.

It is a figure which shows the picked-up image in which the image quality of the image | photographed object deteriorated, and the correction image by which the image quality was correct | amended by the image quality correction apparatus mentioned later. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the image quality correction apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the correction process of a correction | amendment part. It is a graph of the gray value in the cross section by a normal vector. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of the image quality correction apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the functional structure of the image quality correction apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the process which analyzes a density increase rate and a pixel movement rate. It is a figure which shows the correction rate which linked | related the density increase rate and pixel movement rate with respect to a predetermined gradient value according to the expansion rate of the picked-up image. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of the image quality correction apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Input part 12 ... Extraction part 13 ... Correction | amendment part 14 ... Display part 31 ... Image storage part 32 ... Correction rate storage part 100 ... Image quality correction apparatus S101-S106, S201-S208 ... step

Claims (5)

In an image quality correction device that corrects the image quality of blurred edges,
Storage means for storing a captured image of a certain object,
An extraction unit that reads out the captured image from the storage unit and extracts edges forming the target;
The normal line at the edge pixel on the edge is obtained using a straight line or a curve forming the edge shape, and an arbitrary pixel located within a predetermined range from the edge pixel is selected from a plurality of pixels existing on the normal line. And correcting means for correcting the extracted edge by moving the selected pixel toward the edge pixel and increasing the density of the pixel;
An image quality correction apparatus comprising: An analysis unit that obtains a movement rate for moving the selected pixel toward the edge pixel and a density increase rate for increasing the density of the pixel in association with an enlargement rate of the image;
The image quality correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit corrects the extracted edge using the movement rate and the density increase rate corresponding to a magnification rate of the captured image. In the image quality correction method performed by the image quality correction device that corrects the image quality of the blurred edge part,
By the image quality correction device,
A first step of storing in a storage means a photographed image of a certain object;
A second step of reading the photographed image from the storage means and extracting an edge forming the object;
The normal line at the edge pixel on the edge is obtained using a straight line or a curve forming the edge shape, and an arbitrary pixel located within a predetermined range from the edge pixel is selected from a plurality of pixels existing on the normal line. A third step of correcting the extracted edge by moving the selected pixel toward the edge pixel and increasing the density of the pixel;
An image quality correction method comprising: A step of determining a movement rate for moving the selected pixel toward the edge pixel and a density increase rate for increasing the density of the pixel in association with an enlargement rate of the image;
4. The image quality correction method according to claim 3, wherein the third step corrects the extracted edge by using the movement rate and the density increase rate corresponding to the enlargement rate of the captured image.   An image quality correction program that causes a computer to execute each step in the image quality correction method according to claim 3 or 4.