Crop Mark Detection Using Reference Image Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems struggle to effectively detect and remove crop marks from digital images, particularly when metadata is missing or incomplete, leading to undesirable crop marks being printed on finished products.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that detects crop marks by analyzing a reference digital image, determining its position within an input image, and mapping the detected crop marks to the input image, allowing for the identification and removal of partial crop marks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing techniques attempt to detect crop marks directly from electronic documents, then detection can be performed without metadata, but the detection accuracy and reliability are insufficient especially when metadata is missing or incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of crop marks in a reference digital image before processing the input digital image. By pre-identifying crop mark patterns, colors, and positions in the reference image, the system establishes a template that guides subsequent detection in the input image, improving reliability when metadata is unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference digital image as an intermediary element between the available metadata and the target input digital image. This reference image serves as a mediator that contains complete crop mark information, which is then mapped to the input image to enable accurate detection even when the input image lacks proper metadata
2Ease of operation
If users manually identify and remove crop marks using electronic devices, then some crop marks can be removed, but users may not identify and remove any or all crop marks, leading to incomplete removal
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated detection and identification of crop marks in digital images. The algorithm automatically locates, identifies, and flags crop marks without requiring manual user intervention, thereby achieving complete removal while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of user identification and removal with an automated computational system. Image processing algorithms and pattern recognition techniques substitute for human visual inspection and manual deletion, ensuring complete and precise crop mark removal
3Measurement precision
If the system processes large digital images to detect crop marks, then detection coverage is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the large digital image into smaller regions or zones for processing. By dividing the image into manageable segments, the system can detect crop marks more efficiently in each region while maintaining comprehensive coverage across the entire image, thereby reducing overall processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by focusing detection efforts on specific areas where crop marks are most likely to appear (such as corners and edges) rather than uniformly processing the entire image. This targeted approach maintains detection coverage while significantly reducing computational resources and processing time
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for detecting crop marks depicted in digital images are disclosed. According to certain aspects, an electronic device detects a set of crop marks in a reference digital image and aligns the reference digital image with an input digital image. Based on locations of the detected crop marks as aligned to the input digital image, the electronic device detects a set of partial crop marks in the input digital image. As a result, the partial crop marks in the input digital image may be removed.