Automated Density Determination for Copy-Forgery-Inhibited Pattern Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images on standard paper face challenges in maintaining optimal density, leading to low concealability and legibility issues due to variations in dot size and environmental factors, requiring manual user adjustment which is inconvenient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
An automated density determination method that forms latent image and background image patches on a sheet, using luminance information to optimize density signal values, allowing for automatic generation of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images with appropriate density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual user adjustment is used to set density, then flexibility in adjustment is achieved, but convenience deteriorates and error-proneness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines optimal density signal values by forming test patches, reading their luminance information, and computing density values without requiring manual user adjustment. The image forming apparatus performs the entire density determination process autonomously, eliminating the need for user intervention while maintaining optimal density settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual adjustment mechanisms with an automated optical measurement system. A reading device optically measures the luminance of test patches, and a controller automatically computes density signal values based on these measurements, substituting the mechanical/manual adjustment process with an optical-electronic determination system.
2Ease of operation
If automated density determination is implemented, then convenience is improved and errors are eliminated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image forming apparatus integrates multiple functions into a single system: it can form images using different halftone processes, form test patches for density determination, read luminance information from these patches, and automatically determine optimal density signal values. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices while achieving automated density determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary formation of test patches with various density signal values before actual image formation. By pre-determining the optimal density values through test patches and luminance reading, the system prepares the necessary parameters in advance, simplifying the main image formation process and enabling automated operation without complex real-time adjustments.
3Ease of manufacture
If density is not optimized, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but concealability and legibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a feedback mechanism where test patches are formed with specific density signal values, their luminance information is read and measured, and these measurements are fed back to determine the optimal density signal values. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the density settings achieve optimal concealability and legibility while maintaining process simplicity through automated determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically varies density signal values when forming test patches to determine optimal parameters. By changing the density signal values and measuring the corresponding luminance information, the system identifies the parameter settings that provide optimal concealability and legibility, ensuring high reliability without complicating the manufacturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures the generation of copy-forgery-inhibited pattern images with optimal density, enhancing concealability and legibility, and eliminating the need for user-driven visual adjustments, thereby improving the reliability and convenience of the process.
Implementation Method 1
a luminance information reading step of reading luminance information representing luminance values of the plurality of latent image patches and the plurality of background image patches in image data obtained by reading the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A density signal value determination method, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing system are configured to automatically and optimally determine the density of a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image that includes a latent image and a background image. In a density signal value determination method, a test sheet, on which a plurality of latent image patches and a plurality of background image patches are formed, is outputted. Subsequently, the luminance, the density, and the reflection density of each of the patches are obtained from image data obtained by reading this test sheet. Then, an optimal combination of a latent image patch and a background image patch is selected according to the obtained values. Finally, density signal values used to generate the selected patches are set to generate a latent image and a background image.