Image Processing Apparatus Edge Variance Blank Sheet Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining whether an original has print information or not are challenged by noise variations, especially when reading colored originals, leading to inaccurate data compression and edge detection, making it difficult to distinguish between originals with and without print information.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that detects edges from image data, calculates the variance value of the edge data, and determines if the image data has print information based on a threshold value, reducing the influence of paper type and background color.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If compression process is performed on image data to determine blank sheet, then data size reduction is achieved, but noise influence increases for colored originals making discrimination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the edge portions from the complete image data to create edge map data. This extraction removes the harmful noise present in the full image while preserving the essential print information edges, enabling accurate blank sheet determination without noise interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces edge map data as an intermediary between the original image data and the blank sheet determination process. This intermediary representation filters out noise while maintaining edge information, serving as a reliable basis for determining whether print information exists
2Measurement precision
If edge detection is performed on image data to determine blank sheet, then print information can be identified, but noise from paper impurities causes false detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful noise from paper impurities into a benefit by using statistical processing. By calculating the standard deviation of edge quantities across multiple regions, the system distinguishes between random noise (high standard deviation) and actual print information (consistent edge patterns), turning noise interference into a discriminative feature
3Productivity
If both sides of original sheets are read automatically, then processing speed is maintained, but unnecessary data processing increases due to blank sheet reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary edge detection and standard deviation calculation on the scanned image data before proceeding to full processing or printing. This preliminary action identifies blank sheets early in the workflow, allowing the system to skip unnecessary subsequent processing steps and avoid wasting time on blank sheets that were read during automatic double-sided scanning
4Adaptability or versatility
If colored paper originals are read, then variety of originals can be processed, but compression ratio decreases and data size increases due to noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential edge information from colored paper originals, removing the colorful but noisy background data. This extraction creates a simplified edge map that contains only the structural information needed for blank sheet determination, significantly reducing data size while maintaining discrimination accuracy across different original types
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus detects an edge from image data and generates edge data indicating a result of the detection, obtains a variance value of the generated edge data, and determines that the image data is data with print information when the obtained variance of the edge data is equal to or larger than a threshold and determines that the image data is data without print information when the variance is smaller than the threshold value.