Colorimetric Area Extraction for Image Formation Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming technologies fail to accurately inspect color variation in printed images, leading to potential inaccuracies in color quality assessment.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus that includes a colorimetric area extraction unit and a color difference calculation unit, which extract a colorimetric area from the printed image and calculate color differences between copies, allowing for precise color variation inspection by comparing colorimetric values and adjusting printing based on threshold values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an image for inspection different from the image to be printed is printed and inspected, then the inspection process can be performed, but the color variation inspection accuracy of the image to be printed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the colorimetric area from the printed image by detecting edge portions and determining a region containing a specific number of pixels. This extracted colorimetric area is then used for color variation inspection, allowing the system to inspect the actual printed image quality without requiring separate inspection images, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of inspection and inspection accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If an image correction pattern is added to the image as a reference for inspection, then the inspection reference is provided, but the accuracy of inspecting color variation of the image to be printed deteriorates due to inclusion of the correction pattern in the inspection target area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the printed image into different regions by detecting edge portions and identifying the colorimetric area that contains a specific number of pixels. This segmentation allows the system to exclude the image correction pattern from the inspection target area while still using the printed image itself as the reference, thereby maintaining both adaptability and measurement precision
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus (100) includes a colorimetric area extraction unit (317) configured to extract a colorimetric area from an image formation area based on designation according to an operation by a user, the image formation area in which an image as a print target is to be formed. The image forming apparatus (100) includes a colorimetric area extraction unit (317) configured to extract a colorimetric area from an image formation area based on designation according to an operation by a user, the image formation area in which an image as a print target is to be formed.