Image Processing Unit Trapping Workflow Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face inefficiencies in processing speed due to increased workload when performing color correction and trapping processes, as these processes need to be conducted sequentially, which slows down image processing.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes an image processing unit that determines trapping attribute information, performs color correction, and adds tag information to image data, while a rendering unit handles color correction and rendering processes, distributing workload between hardware and software components to optimize processing speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If color correction and trapping processes are performed sequentially on all image data, then processing accuracy is maintained, but processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor correction accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides image data into two segments: trapping image data and non-trapping image data. Different processing paths are applied to each segment - color correction is performed on non-trapping data while skipping it for trapping data, thereby optimizing overall processing efficiency without compromising accuracy where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different processing qualities to different regions of image data based on their trapping attributes. Trapping image data receives full color correction processing to ensure accuracy at boundaries, while non-trapping image data receives optimized processing that skips certain steps to improve speed, achieving local optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If color correction is performed on all image data including non-trapping data, then consistent color output is achieved, but workload on image processing unit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor consistencyVSAvoidprocessing workload

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and identifies trapping attribute information from image data to distinguish trapping image data from non-trapping image data. This extraction allows the system to selectively apply color correction only where necessary, reducing the overall workload on the image processing unit while maintaining color consistency for trapping regions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of time

If trapping process is performed without selective color correction, then processing time is reduced, but color accuracy at boundaries deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidboundary color accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary identification of trapping attribute information before the trapping process. By pre-marking which image data requires color correction, the system can quickly proceed with the trapping process while ensuring that boundary color accuracy is maintained through selective correction of trapping image data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9001386B2Image forming apparatus performing trapping process when print data includes a plurality of pieces of image data and to superpose the adjacent pieces of image data and a determination unit that determines whether or not trapping attribute information, which indicates that the trapping process is to be performed, is attached to the pieces of image data on a piece by piece basis of performed color correction

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming apparatus performs a trapping process. The image forming apparatus includes an image processing unit that includes a determination unit, a color correction unit, a processing unit, an adding unit, and a generating unit. The processing unit performs the trapping process on the pieces of image data, on which the color correction has been performed by the color correction unit. The generating unit generates intermediate data in accordance with the print data including the pieces of image data, on which the trapping process has been performed. The image forming apparatus also includes a rendering unit that performs a rendering process on one or more of the pieces of image data on which the color correction has been performed by the rendering unit and on the pieces of image data for which tag information indicates that the color correction has been performed.