Image Processing Apparatus Bit Precision Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing memory costs and rendering speeds when handling high-bit precision image data, particularly when switching between 8-bit and 10-bit pixel rendering, which affects compression/decompression speed and data transfer.
Innovation Solution
An image processing method that dynamically selects the number of bits per pixel based on object type, using a combination of lossless compression algorithms like JPEG-LS, and adjusts rendering precision for character/line and halftone images to optimize rendering speed and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If image data is processed at 10 bits per pixel to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but compression speed and rendering speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different bit precisions to different regions of the image based on their characteristics. Character/line image regions are processed at 8 bits per pixel while photograph image regions are processed at 10 bits per pixel. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain high image quality where needed (photograph regions) while improving processing speed where high precision is less critical (character regions), thereby resolving the contradiction between image quality and compression speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If image data is processed at 10 bits per pixel to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces memory requirements by storing character/line image data at 8 bits per pixel instead of uniformly storing all image data at 10 bits per pixel. Since character regions do not require the full precision of photograph regions, this local quality approach significantly reduces the total memory footprint while maintaining adequate image quality for different regions.
3Manufacturing precision
If image data is processed at 10 bits per pixel to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but data transfer speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces data transfer time by transferring character/line image data at 8 bits per pixel and photograph image data at 10 bits per pixel. The smaller data volume for character regions results in faster transfer speeds, while photograph regions maintain their higher quality requirements. This differential approach optimizes overall data transfer performance.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention switches the number of bits per pixel between object types when converting code information into image data, thereby rendering one entire page at high speed while minimizing the influence on print quality. For this purpose, an apparatus analyzes received PDL data, and generates a DL (Display List) serving as a rendering unit. The apparatus determines whether the DL is a character/line image or a halftone image including a photograph image. When determining that the DL is a character/line image, the apparatus resizes the DL in accordance with the resolution of a printer engine, and renders each color component at an 8-bit precision (integer). When determining that the DL is a halftone image including a photograph image, the apparatus resizes the DL in accordance with the resolution of the printer engine, and renders each color component at a 10-bit precision (8-bit integral part+2-bit decimal part).