Composite Image Color Mode Priority Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image processing systems automatically output composite images in color when any color is present in the watermark or page numbers, even if the source image is black-and-white, leading to unnecessary costs for users who prefer black-and-white output.

Innovation Solution

An image processing system that allows users to set priorities for the color mode of individual images and determines the composite image's color mode based on these settings, ensuring output in the desired color mode, whether color or black-and-white, by prioritizing the color mode of the source image or the image to be combined.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automatic color selection (ACS) is used to determine output color mode, then the system automatically outputs color images when any color is present in watermark or page numbers, but this causes unnecessary color output costs when the user intends black-and-white output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic color selectionVSAvoidprinting cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic priority settings that allow users to flexibly switch between different color mode determination strategies (source image priority, combined image priority, ACS priority) based on their specific needs. This dynamic configurability resolves the contradiction by enabling automatic cost-saving behavior when appropriate while maintaining automation benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of color mode determination from a fixed automatic algorithm to a configurable priority-based system. By allowing users to set different priorities for source images and combined images, the system can adapt the color output mode to match user intentions, thereby reducing unnecessary printing costs while maintaining operational automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the system prioritizes the color mode of the source image, then black-and-white output is preserved when the source is black-and-white, but color output is forced when the source is color even if pre-stored images are black-and-white

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser preference alignmentVSAvoidcolor mode flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic priority settings that allow users to switch between source image priority and combined image priority modes. This enables the system to adapt to different user preferences and scenarios, resolving the contradiction between maintaining user preference alignment and providing color mode flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides multiple color mode determination strategies (source priority, combined priority, ACS priority) that can be selected based on different needs. This multi-functionality allows the same system to serve different user preferences and use cases, achieving both ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system prioritizes the color mode of the combined image, then color output is achieved when pre-stored images are in color, but black-and-white output is lost when the source image is black-and-white

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor mode flexibilityVSAvoiduser preference alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic priority settings that allow users to switch between combined image priority and source image priority modes. This dynamic configurability enables the system to adapt to different user preferences, resolving the contradiction between color mode flexibility and user preference alignment by allowing users to select the appropriate priority mode for their specific needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If conventional ACS systems output color when any color element is present, then all composite images are output in color, but this increases printing costs unnecessarily for black-and-white intended outputs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidprinting cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the color mode determination parameter from a simple presence-based algorithm to a priority-based configurable system. This allows the system to maintain processing efficiency while reducing unnecessary color output costs by enabling users to set priorities that reflect their actual output intentions, thereby avoiding automatic color conversion when black-and-white output is desired.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7599078B2Image processing apparatus and image processing method

Publication Date: 2009.10.06 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing system includes a first obtaining section for obtaining a first image and a color mode for the first image; a second obtaining section for obtaining a second image and a color mode for the second image; a priority setting section for setting which of the color mode for the first image and the color mode for the second image priority is to be given to; a color-mode setting section for setting a color mode for a composite image based on the color mode for the first image, the color mode for the second image, and the setting of the priority setting section; a combining section for combining the first image and the second image to produce the composite image; and an outputting section for outputting the composite image with the color mode set by the color-mode setting section.