Color Content Detection in Image Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current copier/printer devices face challenges in accurately classifying images with mixed color content, leading to incorrect cost charges due to binary color detection, where incidental color content can result in full color classification, causing users to be overcharged for monochrome images and undercharged for full color images.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an image processing apparatus that detects and quantifies color content, assigning images to multiple categories (monochrome, accent color, and full color) based on color content levels, allowing for intermediate cost charging that reflects the actual color content of the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threshold level is set to allow low color content to be classified as full color, then color content is retained in rendered images, but scanner noise results in falsely classifying monochrome images as full color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from a simple binary threshold classification to a multi-level color content quantification system that measures the actual amount of color content. This allows the system to distinguish between incidental color (a few pixels) and significant color content, resolving the contradiction by using a more precise measurement approach rather than changing the threshold level.
2Ease of operation
If a binary decision is made based on whether there is enough color content on a page, then classification is simplified, but users are charged incorrectly due to incidental color content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the classification parameter from a binary state (color/monochrome) to a continuous quantification of color content levels. This allows for more accurate cost correlation while maintaining operational simplicity through automated multi-level classification that directly reflects the actual color content present in each image.
3Reliability
If the threshold is set low to classify several pixels as full color, then color content is preserved, but per page fees increase significantly for images with minimal color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cost determination parameter from a binary classification to a quantified color content measurement. This allows costs to be proportional to the actual amount of color content, so images with minimal color (a few pixels) are charged only slightly more than monochrome images, while images with substantial color content are charged appropriately higher fees, resolving the cost discrepancy.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments including detection of color content in an image are disclosed.