3D Printed Halftone Image Generation via Iterative Voxel Data Modification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D manufacturing techniques face challenges in accurately reproducing the continuous tone images of 3D objects using additive manufacturing, as they often result in perceptual differences between the original and printed halftone images, especially when limited tones are used.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating halftone image printing data by iteratively modifying voxel data on the surfaces of 3D objects using a direct binary search technique, minimizing mean-squared error between the halftone and continuous tone images, and employing a human visual system filter to simulate the continuous tone image with dots varying in size, spacing, color, and transparency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional additive manufacturing techniques are used to build 3D parts with particles spread into layers and selectively fused, then the manufacturing process can create customized configurations, but the image reproduction quality deteriorates with perceptual differences between original continuous tone images and printed halftone images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying voxel data through iterative binary search to optimize the halftone representation. The system adjusts parameters such as dot size, spacing, color, and transparency of voxels to minimize the perceptual difference between continuous tone original images and halftone printed images, thereby improving image reproduction quality while working within the limited tone capability of additive manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through an iterative optimization process where the system calculates perceptual differences between original and generated halftone images, then uses this feedback to refine voxel data in subsequent iterations. The binary search technique continuously adjusts voxel parameters based on error minimization feedback until the perceptual difference is minimized, resolving the contradiction between limited tones and image fidelity
2Manufacturing precision
If voxel data is iteratively modified using direct binary search technique to minimize mean-squared error, then the perceptual difference between halftone and continuous tone images is minimized, but the computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the 3D image into discrete voxels and processing them through iterative binary search. The continuous tone image is segmented into volumetric pixels that can be individually optimized, allowing the system to minimize perceptual difference through localized adjustments rather than processing the entire image as a single unit, thus managing computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by focusing the iterative binary search optimization on specific voxel parameters that have the greatest impact on perceptual difference. Rather than exhaustively optimizing all possible parameters, the system applies targeted modifications to dot size, spacing, color, and transparency, achieving minimized perceptual difference with reduced computational effort compared to complete optimization
3Manufacturing precision
If dots varying in size, spacing, color, and transparency are used to simulate continuous tone image, then the image reproduction quality improves, but the device complexity increases due to voxel-wise printing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different properties (size, spacing, color, transparency) to individual voxels based on their local requirements in the image. Each voxel is optimized independently through binary search to achieve the desired tone and appearance at that specific location, allowing high image reproduction quality through localized control rather than uniform treatment of all voxels, thus managing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example, an apparatus may include a processor and a memory. The memory may have stored thereon machine readable instructions that may cause the processor to access an initial halftone image of a three-dimensional (3D) object, the initial halftone image being generated from a continuous tone image of the 3D object. The instructions may also cause the processor to iteratively modify voxel data for the initial halftone image to identify updated voxel data that more accurately corresponds to the continuous tone image than the initial halftone image and to generate halftone image printing data for the 3D object containing the updated voxel data.