Image Processing System Preventing Color Superimposing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face challenges in avoiding multiple superimposing of colors due to overlapping graphic elements when the overlap is unknown during the generation of intermediate data, particularly for cached graphic elements that are reused later.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system comprising first and second devices, where the first device converts print data into intermediate data and modifies the shape of graphic elements with specific components to prevent overlapping, and the second device generates raster data and applies mask information to ensure correct rendering, even when the overlap is unknown at the time of intermediate data generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the shape of graphic elements is modified to prevent overlapping, then color superimposing is prevented, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of graphic element positions and overlaps during the intermediate data generation phase. By proactively identifying potential overlap scenarios and pre-modifying shapes or generating mask information before rendering, the system prevents color superimposing issues rather than correcting them later, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces mask information as an intermediary mechanism between graphic element definition and final rendering. This mask layer acts as a mediator that selectively prevents color superimposing in overlapping regions without requiring complex real-time calculations during rendering, thereby maintaining processing efficiency while ensuring color accuracy.
2Manufacturing precision
If mask information is generated and applied, then rendering accuracy is improved, but the data processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of generating mask information for all graphic elements uniformly, the system applies mask generation selectively only to graphic elements that are identified as having potential overlap issues. This localized approach ensures rendering accuracy where needed while minimizing unnecessary data processing for non-overlapping elements, thus balancing precision with processing load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system generates mask information partially - only for the specific regions and graphic elements where overlaps occur, rather than applying masking globally to all elements. This partial action approach provides sufficient rendering accuracy for problematic areas while avoiding the excessive data processing burden that would result from universal masking.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing system includes first and second devices. The first device converts print data described in a page description language into intermediate data. The second device converts the intermediate data into raster data and supplies the raster data to a printer. The first device includes a shape modifier, a first generator, and an output section. The shape modifier divides plural graphic elements indicated by the intermediate data within a unit of output into groups, and modifies, among the graphic elements in each of the groups, a shape of first-type graphic elements having a specific component into a shape without having an overlapping portion between the first-type graphic elements. A color of the specific component is superimposed on a color of an underlying graphic element. The first generator generates an item of mask information for identifying a logical OR shape of the first-type graphic elements included in each of the groups. The output section outputs the plural graphic elements, and outputs the first-type graphic elements having the modified shape in each of the groups so that the first-type graphic elements in the individual groups are output, together with the associated items of mask information, in reverse order of an order in which the individual groups are arranged within the unit of output. The second device includes a mask storage, an graphic storage, and a renderer. The mask storage stores the items of mask information. The graphic storage stores a graphic of the unit of output. Upon receiving an item of the mask information from the output section, the renderer adds the item of the mask information to the mask storage. Then, upon receiving a first-type graphic element from the output section, the renderer masks the first-type graphic element with the logical OR shape identified by the items of mask information stored in the mask storage, and then writes a graphic of the masked first-type graphic element into the graphic storage.