Image Processing Apparatus Colorant Consumption Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies face challenges in adjusting colorant consumption for printing, leading to undesirable color conversions in printed images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that acquires target image data, analyzes color component values, and sets specific ranges to adjust colorant consumption by using characteristic information to convert color component values, ensuring accurate color representation while minimizing colorant usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If colorant consumption amounts are adjusted based on residual amounts or predicted consumption, then colorant usage is optimized, but color accuracy deteriorates leading to undesirable color conversions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying color component values within a specific range identified through distribution analysis. The controller changes color component values selectively based on their position in the distribution, applying different adjustment amounts to different parameters (color components) to optimize colorant consumption while preserving color accuracy. This is achieved by identifying a specific range where color component values are concentrated and applying controlled modifications within this range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different adjustment strategies to different color components based on their individual distributions. The controller analyzes the distribution of each color component value separately and applies selective changes only to components within the identified specific range, while leaving other components unchanged. This localized approach ensures that colorant consumption is optimized for specific color components without compromising the overall color accuracy of the printed image.
2Quantity of substance
If color component values are changed to reduce colorant consumption, then colorant usage decreases, but color representation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively changing only certain color component values within a specific range rather than modifying all color components uniformly. The controller identifies a specific range of color component values through distribution analysis and applies adjustment amounts only to values within this range. This partial modification approach reduces colorant consumption for the affected color components while maintaining color accuracy for components outside the specific range, thereby preventing overall color representation deterioration.
3Quantity of substance
If uniform colorant consumption adjustment is applied to all pixels, then overall colorant usage is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to color shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selectively modifying color component values based on their distribution characteristics rather than applying uniform adjustments to all pixels. The controller analyzes the distribution of color component values across all pixels, identifies a specific range where values are concentrated, and applies different adjustment amounts to different color components within this range. This selective parameter modification approach reduces overall colorant consumption while maintaining image quality by preserving color relationships in regions outside the specific range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different adjustment strategies to different regions of the color component value distribution. Instead of uniform adjustment across all pixels, the controller identifies a specific range in the distribution and applies localized modifications only to color components within this range. This ensures that colorant consumption is optimized for the most prevalent color values while maintaining color accuracy in less common regions, thereby preserving overall image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes a controller configured to perform: setting characteristic information including first characteristic information and second characteristic information; and converting a target image data using the characteristic information. The first and second characteristic information correlate input values with output values in a specific color space. The input values includes a specific input value within a specific range. The specific input value is correlated with a first specific output value by the first characteristic information, and is correlated with a second specific output value by the second characteristic information. The first specific output value indicates that a colorant consumption quantity for the specific input value is changed from an original colorant consumption quantity by a first colorant quantity. The second specific output value indicates that the colorant consumption quantity is changed from the original colorant consumption quantity by a second colorant quantity different from the first colorant quantity.