Image Processing System Color Reduction and Object Information Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face inefficiencies in handling and managing image processing information, particularly when rotating images, due to separate management of object information and image data, leading to complex and cumbersome processes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that divides input images into regions, reduces colors to a predetermined number, and generates a composite information table combining color and image processing information, allowing for improved handling performance through color conversion and dither processes based on object information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If object information is managed separately from image data, then dedicated image processing for different image types can be performed, but handling performance deteriorates and processes become complicated when rotating images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges object information and image data into a unified data structure where object information is embedded within the image data itself. This integration allows the system to maintain dedicated processing capabilities for different image types while significantly improving handling performance during operations like rotation, as the object information travels with the image data without requiring separate management and synchronization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If object information is recorded using two bits per pixel in a separate layer, then image processing information can be added to images, but data size increases and management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a unified data structure that serves multiple functions: it stores image data, embeds object information, and manages processing parameters all within a single framework. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate object information layers, reducing overall data size while maintaining the ability to store and process multiple types of image processing information efficiently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate management of object information and image data is used, then dedicated processing for different image kinds is enabled, but processing complexity increases during image rotation
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating object information within the image data structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate synchronization processes during image rotation. The unified structure ensures that object information automatically follows the image data through transformations, significantly reducing processing complexity while maintaining dedicated processing capabilities for different image types through embedded metadata.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer divides an input image into a plurality of blocks and extracts a block image corresponding to each of the blocks. The colors of the block image are reduced to, for example, four colors. Index numbers are given to pixels of the color-reduced image, and the four colors are assigned. To a color palette in which color information of the four colors is described in correspondence with the index numbers, object information indicative of the kinds of images (for example, a character, a chart, and a photographic image) is added. Consequently, the handling performance of object information for use in an image processing such as a color conversion process is improved.