Halftone Pattern Selection for Encoded Pattern Reproducibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques for embedding additional information in prints often result in degraded reproducibility of encoded patterns during halftone processing, leading to potential failure in decoding the additional information.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that includes a setting unit for selecting a halftone pattern, a determination unit to assess whether encoded patterns can be uniformly reproduced, and a control unit to provide a warning notification if reproduction is not uniform, preventing failure in decoding additional information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If halftone processing is performed on encoded patterns, then the image is ready for printing, but the encoded patterns are degraded in reproducibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining in advance whether encoded patterns can be uniformly reproduced before performing halftone processing. The determination unit checks the relationship between encoded pattern angles and halftone pattern screen angles beforehand, and the control unit prevents halftone processing when degradation is predicted, thus avoiding the problem rather than fixing it afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the determination unit continuously monitor the relationship between encoded pattern parameters and halftone pattern parameters. When the determination unit detects that encoded patterns will be degraded, the control unit receives this feedback and prevents the halftone processing or notifies the user, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents the degradation from occurring.
2Ease of manufacture
If dither method is used for halftone processing, then printing is enabled, but encoded patterns disappear when screen angle matches encoded pattern angle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking before halftone processing whether the screen angle of the selected halftone pattern matches the angle of the encoded patterns. If a match is detected, the system prevents halftone processing or notifies the user in advance, thereby preventing the encoded patterns from disappearing while still enabling printing when conditions are appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the user to select from multiple halftone patterns with different screen angles. The determination unit evaluates the angle parameters of both the encoded patterns and available halftone patterns, and the control unit selects or prevents processing based on this parameter comparison, thereby changing the outcome based on parameter relationships.
3Ease of manufacture
If error diffusion method is used for halftone processing, then printing is enabled, but patterns are not uniformly reproduced depending on error diffusion direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining before halftone processing whether the error diffusion direction will cause non-uniform pattern reproduction. The determination unit analyzes the encoded pattern characteristics and predicted reproduction uniformity, and the control unit prevents processing or notifies the user when degradation is likely, thereby preventing the problem rather than addressing it afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the determination unit continuously evaluate the relationship between error diffusion parameters and encoded pattern characteristics. When non-uniform reproduction is predicted, the control unit receives this feedback and prevents the halftone processing or alerts the user, creating a control loop that prevents the uniformity degradation from occurring in the first place.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus capable of preventing failure in decoding additional information embedded in a print. The apparatus performs image processing for generating a print in which additional information is embedded. A halftone pattern used for halftone processing is set out of a plurality of halftone patterns. It is determined whether or not, in a case where the set halftone pattern is used for the halftone processing, encoded patterns generated based on the additional information can be uniformly reproduced from a color plane with which the encoded patterns are synthesized. In a case where it is determined that the encoded patterns cannot be uniformly reproduced, a warning notification is performed for notifying before outputting a print in which the additional information is embedded, a user that the print is a print which can cause failure in decoding the additional information.