Image Processing Apparatus Pattern Conversion for Reproducibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Image reproducibility is compromised due to the output characteristics of cloud-connected output apparatuses, particularly when converting color images to monochrome or JPEG format, leading to unintended image quality and loss of information.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus with a pattern detecting section, an image conversion section, and an output switching section that identifies specific patterns with low reproducibility and converts them into alternative patterns, such as AM screen patterns, while maintaining the original image for other regions, thereby enhancing output quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If color images are converted to monochrome images by using only green color, then processing speed is improved, but image information is reduced to one-third
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing dithering processing on the color image before converting it to monochrome. This pre-processing step preserves image information by creating a dithered pattern that maintains visual gradation, so that when the image is later converted to monochrome using only the green channel, the processing speed benefit is achieved without significant information loss.
2Quantity of substance
If binarization is performed to convert 8 bit image to 1 bit image, then data amount is reduced, but image information is further reduced to one-eighth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing dithering processing before binarization. This pre-processing creates a dithered pattern that preserves visual information, so that when binarization is subsequently applied to reduce data from 8 bit to 1 bit, the information loss is minimized while still achieving the desired data reduction.
3Quantity of substance
If JPEG format is used for image compression, then file size is reduced, but image information is lost due to lossy compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing dithering processing on the image before converting it to JPEG format. This pre-processing step creates a dithered pattern that preserves visual information and gradation, so that when JPEG compression is applied, the information loss is reduced while still achieving file size reduction.
4Manufacturing precision
If tone correction is performed to improve gradation characteristics, then gradation is corrected, but image pattern is changed and may not be reproducible by output apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by detecting specific patterns in the image and applying dithering processing only to regions containing those patterns. This selective approach maintains the original image pattern in regions without specific patterns (preserving reproducibility) while applying dithering only where needed to improve gradation characteristics in problematic regions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus including: a pattern detecting section which detects a specific pattern in an image; an image holding section which holds the image; an image conversion section which converts a pattern in the image into a pattern different from the specific pattern; and an output switching section which outputs an image having the pattern converted by the image conversion section for a region where the specific pattern is detected by the pattern detecting section, and outputs the image held by the image holding section for a region where the specific pattern is not detected.