Image Processing Halftoning Circuit Universality
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The development and manufacturing costs of integrated circuits for image processing in halftoning increase due to the need for optimized specifications and memory sizes for each type of device, as existing solutions require high-capacity data tables and complex conversion patterns to express a higher number of gradations, leading to inefficiencies in resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a first storage unit holding indexes and thresholds for gradation conversion patterns, a second storage unit for rapid access, and a gradation conversion unit that uses these indexes and thresholds to efficiently convert input gradation values to output gradation values, optimizing circuit design by sharing resources across devices with varying output gradation values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the number of conversion patterns and memory capacity are increased to express higher gradations, then the gradation expression capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal integrated circuit design that can serve multiple device types with different output gradation requirements (e.g., 16-level and 32-level gradations) through a single circuit architecture. The circuit uses configurable memory regions and selectable conversion patterns to adapt to different halftone levels, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits for each device type while maintaining high gradation expression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by configuring the circuit to use different numbers of conversion patterns and memory capacities based on the required output gradation level. The circuit can dynamically adjust its operational parameters (such as the number of active conversion patterns and memory access configurations) to match the specific halftone level requirements, thereby optimizing performance without requiring hardware changes for different device types.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated integrated circuits are prepared for each device type to optimize halftoning specifications, then the halftoning performance is improved, but the development and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal integrated circuit that can be used across different device types (e.g., printers with 16-level or 32-level output gradations) without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each type. The circuit incorporates configurable memory regions and selectable conversion patterns that can be adapted to match the specific halftone level requirements of different devices, thereby reducing development and manufacturing costs while maintaining optimized halftoning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability in the integrated circuit through configurable memory regions and selectable conversion patterns. The circuit can dynamically reconfigure its operational parameters based on the required output gradation level, allowing the same hardware to optimize its performance for different device types without physical modification. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each device type.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-capacity data tables are used to store conversion patterns for all gradation levels, then the gradation conversion accuracy is improved, but the memory capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by storing and using only the necessary conversion patterns required for the current output gradation level rather than pre-storing all possible conversion patterns for all potential gradation levels. The circuit configuration allows selective access to memory regions containing conversion patterns appropriate for the specific halftone level being processed, reducing memory capacity requirements while maintaining high conversion accuracy for the active operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic memory configuration where the circuit can adaptively select and access memory regions based on the required output gradation level. Rather than using a fixed large-capacity data table for all scenarios, the system dynamically configures memory access patterns and selects appropriate conversion pattern sets, thereby reducing overall memory capacity requirements while maintaining accuracy for the current operational context.
Data Source
AI summary
By using different conversion patterns from input gradation values to output gradation values for each coordinate inside a continuous region with a predetermined area, an image processing circuit is for halftoning which approximately expresses a number of gradations which is higher than the number of gradations which are output for each dot is optimized for each type of apparatus while being shared between types of devices where the number of gradations in the output gradation values is different. There is an image processing apparatus where the number of indexes is relatively high in a case which corresponds to a low gradation level which is a halftone level where the number of gradations in the corresponding output gradation values is relatively low.