Fluorescent Color Component Separation in Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques fail to accurately determine and reflect the light emission component of fluorescent color materials in reproduced images, leading to insufficient color reproduction and low saturation.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that includes an image obtaining unit, a light emission amount obtaining unit, an estimating unit, a correcting unit, and an output unit. This system optically reads an original image, detects the fluorescence light emission amount, estimates the light emission component, corrects the image data, and outputs the corrected data to ensure accurate color reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional image reading methods are used, then the reading process is simple, but the light emission component of fluorescent color materials cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into distinct functional units: image obtaining unit, light emission amount obtaining unit, estimating unit, and correcting unit. Each unit handles a specific aspect of processing, allowing the light emission component to be determined separately from the color information, thereby achieving precise measurement without overwhelming system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a light emission amount obtaining unit that detects the fluorescent light emission as a separate signal. This intermediary detection mechanism allows the light emission component to be isolated and processed independently, enabling precise determination while maintaining manageable system architecture through modular design.
2Manufacturing precision
If fluorescent toner is used for all regions, then color reproduction is enhanced, but non-fluorescent regions cannot be reproduced accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining whether each pixel belongs to a fluorescent region or non-fluorescent region based on the light emission amount. The estimating unit then estimates the appropriate color toner type for each region, allowing fluorescent toner to be used only where needed to enhance color reproduction, while non-fluorescent toner is used for regions where it provides accurate color representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation by making the toner selection flexible rather than fixed. The system dynamically determines the appropriate toner type for each pixel based on real-time detection of light emission properties, enabling the printing system to adapt its behavior locally across different regions of the image.
3Quantity of substance
If light emission component is not reflected in reproduced image, then processing is simpler, but color saturation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the light emission detection and component estimation before the final color reproduction process. The light emission amount is obtained and the component is estimated in advance, allowing this information to be incorporated into the color toner selection and image data correction, thereby enhancing color saturation while organizing the processing steps in a logical sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the detected light emission amount to correct the image data and determine the appropriate color toner. The estimating unit provides feedback information about the light emission component that is then used to adjust the color reproduction parameters, creating a closed-loop system that enhances color saturation based on the actual fluorescent properties detected.
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
The proposed solution effectively determines and reflects the light emission component of fluorescent color materials, thereby improving color reproduction and maintaining high saturation levels in the reproduced images.
Implementation Method 1
a light emission amount obtaining unit configured to obtain a fluorescence light emission amount obtained by optically detecting a fluorescent color material in the original image
Implementation Method 2
an LED configured to perform irradiation with irradiation light that is visible light and that is light with a wavelength range in which a fluorescent color material in an original image is excited
Implementation Method 3
a second sensor configured to detect light emission due to the fluorescent color material at a wavelength excluding the wavelength of the irradiation light
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes one or more processors that are configured to obtain image data obtained by optically reading an original image, to obtain a fluorescence light emission amount obtained by optically detecting a fluorescent color material in the original image, to estimate, based on the obtained fluorescence light emission amount, a color component attributable to the fluorescent color material in the obtained image data, the color component attributable to the fluorescent color material including a color component of reflected light in the fluorescent color material and a color component caused by emission when the fluorescent color material transitions from an excited state to a ground state, to separate a color component attributable to a subtractive color mixture color material from the obtained image data by using the estimated color component attributable to the fluorescent color material, and to output image data obtained by the separation.