Image Processing for Colored Media Object Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing methods for printing on colored media, such as corrugated cardboard, often result in diminished object visibility due to inadequate masking processes, leading to poor reproduction of logos, text, and photographs.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that classifies objects in image data and applies specific image processes based on object type and print medium color information, including border addition for logos, color conversion for text, and contrast enhancement for photographs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a uniform masking process is applied to all image data printed on colored media, then the tint matching of the printed image is improved, but the visibility of various objects (logos, text, photographs) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetint matchingVSAvoidobject visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image data into different object types (logos, text, photographs, other objects) and applies different image processing methods to each type. This segmentation allows the system to avoid uniform masking that would harm visibility while still achieving tint matching through appropriate methods for each object type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different image processing qualities to different parts of the image data based on object type. For example, logos receive border addition with specific color calculations, text receives color conversion, photographs receive contrast enhancement, while other objects receive masking. This local quality approach ensures each object type gets the optimal processing for its characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the yellow component is reduced from image data to match the print medium color, then the tint of the printed image is improved, but objects with close tint differences from the print medium become insufficiently visible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetint matchingVSAvoidobject visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different image processing qualities to different parts of the image data based on object type. For example, logos receive border addition with specific color calculations, text receives color conversion, photographs receive contrast enhancement, while other objects receive masking. This local quality approach ensures each object type gets the optimal processing for its characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a uniform image processing method is applied to all objects in image data, then the processing complexity is reduced, but the visibility and reproduction quality of various object types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidobject reproduction quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the image data into different object types (logos, text, photographs, other objects) and applies different image processing methods to each type. This segmentation allows the system to avoid uniform masking that would harm visibility while still achieving tint matching through appropriate methods for each object type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different image processing qualities to different parts of the image data based on object type. For example, logos receive border addition with specific color calculations, text receives color conversion, photographs receive contrast enhancement, while other objects receive masking. This local quality approach ensures each object type gets the optimal processing for its characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4531389A1Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 RISO KAGAKU CORP
  • EP4531389A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4531389A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4531389A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A system is equipped with a classifying unit (11) that obtains image data and classifies the types of objects which are included in the image data, and an image processing unit (12) that administers an image process on the image data according to the types of objects classified by the classifying unit (11) and color information of a print medium on which the image data is to be printed.