Image Processing Device Standardizing Halftone Across Printing Modes

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing devices face complexity and increased scale in image processing when handling multiple printing modes with different definitions, leading to prolonged processing times and increased costs due to the need for multiple processing modules and hardware configurations.

Innovation Solution

An image processing device that adjusts the input image to a standard size across various printing modes, allowing for common halftone processing and simplifying the image processing flow by using a dither matrix and error diffusion method tailored to each printing mode, thereby reducing the complexity and scale of the image processing module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple processing modules are prepared for each printing mode to maintain image quality, then image quality is preserved, but device complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing module complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal image processing module that can handle multiple printing modes (lattice arrangement, zigzag arrangement, different resolutions) through a single integrated system. The module uses common image processing flows including halftone processing, resolution conversion, and color conversion that are adaptable to different printing modes through parameter adjustments rather than requiring separate dedicated modules for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes processing parameters such as halftone processing parameters, resolution conversion parameters, and dot arrangement parameters according to different printing modes. By adjusting these parameters within a unified processing framework, the system maintains image quality across different modes without requiring separate processing modules for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple processing modules are prepared for each printing mode to maintain image quality, then image quality is preserved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal image processing module that can handle multiple printing modes (lattice arrangement, zigzag arrangement, different resolutions) through a single integrated system. The module uses common image processing flows including halftone processing, resolution conversion, and color conversion that are adaptable to different printing modes through parameter adjustments rather than requiring separate dedicated modules for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes processing parameters such as halftone processing parameters, resolution conversion parameters, and dot arrangement parameters according to different printing modes. By adjusting these parameters within a unified processing framework, the system maintains image quality across different modes without requiring separate processing modules for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If hardware processing is used to accelerate image processing, then processing speed increases, but hardware design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidhardware design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal image processing module that can handle multiple printing modes (lattice arrangement, zigzag arrangement, different resolutions) through a single integrated system. The module uses common image processing flows including halftone processing, resolution conversion, and color conversion that are adaptable to different printing modes through parameter adjustments rather than requiring separate dedicated modules for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes processing parameters such as halftone processing parameters, resolution conversion parameters, and dot arrangement parameters according to different printing modes. By adjusting these parameters within a unified processing framework, the system maintains image quality across different modes without requiring separate processing modules for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3054663B1Image processing device, printing apparatus, image processing method, and program

Publication Date: 2018.03.28 FUJIFILM CORP

Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2D
Figure 2E~2F

AI summary

Disclosed are an image processing device, a printing apparatus, an image processing method, and a program capable of making processing common among printing modes to simplify an entire image processing flow in image processing based on a plurality of printing modes with different definition. An image processing unit 14 includes an image size adjustment unit 20 which adjusts the size of an input image, and a halftone processing unit 24 which performs halftone processing on the input image size-adjusted by the image size adjustment unit 20 to generate a halftone image. The image size adjustment unit 20 adjusts the input image to the same size in two or more printing modes among a plurality of printing modes with different definition, and the input image of the same size is subjected to halftone processing in the halftone processing unit 24.