Halftone Screen Generation from Dot Patterns to Avoid Moiré
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating halftone screens from greyscale images are inefficient and do not effectively avoid moiré patterns, leading to reduced image quality in printed outputs.
Innovation Solution
A method for deriving a greyscale image from a dot pattern, which is then used to create a halftone screen with a higher resolution than the intended print resolution, allowing for fine lines to be reproduced and minimizing the occurrence of moiré patterns by embedding a pattern, such as a company logo, into the halftone screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing methods are used to create halftone screens from greyscale images, then the process is simpler, but image quality deteriorates due to moiré patterns and reduced resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding a pattern (such as a company logo) into the halftone screen during the screen creation process, before the actual printing occurs. This pre-embedding ensures that the pattern is integrated at the highest possible resolution level, preventing moiré patterns from forming during subsequent printing operations. The method calculates greyscale values from dot patterns and embeds the desired pattern into the halftone screen data structure in advance, so that when the screen is applied to image data, the pattern is already properly resolved at the intended print resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the halftone screen creation process into distinct stages: (1) acquiring a dot pattern, (2) determining greyscale values from the dot pattern, (3) embedding the desired pattern into the halftone screen, and (4) applying the halftone screen to image data. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, ensuring high resolution and pattern accuracy without compromising overall process efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If a higher resolution halftone screen is used to reproduce fine lines and avoid moiré patterns, then image quality improves, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the resolution parameter of the halftone screen to be higher than the intended print resolution. Specifically, the halftone screen is created at a resolution that allows fine lines to be reproduced accurately, and then this high-resolution screen is applied to the image data. This parameter change enables fine line reproduction and moiré pattern avoidance while the computational complexity is managed through efficient algorithms for calculating greyscale values from dot patterns and embedding patterns into the halftone screen structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If patterns are embedded into the halftone screen to prevent moiré patterns, then image quality improves, but the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pattern embedding is performed as a preliminary action during halftone screen creation, before the screen is applied to image data. The method calculates the appropriate greyscale values from the dot pattern and embeds the desired pattern (such as a company logo) into the halftone screen data structure in advance. This preliminary embedding ensures that the pattern is integrated at the highest possible resolution level, preventing moiré patterns from forming during subsequent printing operations, while the complexity is managed through automated algorithms.
4Manufacturing precision
If greyscale values are determined from dot patterns with precise distance calculations, then manufacturing precision improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical greyscale determination methods with an automated computational system that calculates greyscale values from dot patterns. The system uses algorithms to determine the distance from each pixel to the closest dot in the dot pattern and automatically assigns greyscale values based on these distances. This substitution of mechanical processes with automated computational methods improves greyscale value accuracy while reducing processing time through efficient algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example, a method includes, by one or more processors, acquiring a dot pattern having a distribution of dots. A greyscale image comprising a plurality of pixels each associated with a greyscale value may be derived from the dot pattern. Deriving the greyscale image may comprise assigning a greyscale value to each pixel, wherein the greyscale value is based on the distance associated with that pixel.