Image Processing Unit Weighted Average Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet multifunction printers face increased costs due to the need for dedicated circuits to perform specific image processing tasks like character modification, dodging, and weighted average calculations, which are not uniformly applied across the entire image, leading to inefficiencies in processing speed and hardware requirements.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that processes data with pixel values and attribute values, using a weighted average processing unit to calculate weighted averages without requiring dedicated circuits, allowing for flexible image processing by moving data between modules and executing different processes in parallel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dedicated circuits are arranged for specific image processing tasks (character modification, dodging, weighted average calculations), then processing performance for those tasks is improved, but hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single image processing unit that can perform multiple different image processing tasks (character modification, dodging, weighted average calculations, etc.) through software control rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function. This multi-functional approach reduces hardware complexity and cost while maintaining processing performance for various image processing needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the image processing unit configurable and adaptable through software instructions. The unit can dynamically switch between different processing algorithms and functions based on the input data type and processing requirements, rather than being fixed to a single function. This dynamic flexibility eliminates the need for multiple static dedicated circuits.
2Speed
If multiple dedicated circuits are arranged for different image processing tasks, then processing speed is improved, but hardware scale increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple image processing functions into a single integrated image processing unit. By combining character modification, dodging, weighted average calculations, and other processing tasks into one unified hardware unit that can be controlled via software, the patent reduces hardware scale while maintaining the processing speed benefits of dedicated hardware through efficient resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal image processing unit can execute multiple processing algorithms sequentially or in parallel based on software instructions, providing high processing speed for various tasks without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function. This approach maintains speed performance while significantly reducing the overall hardware scale.
3Manufacturing precision
If dedicated circuits are arranged for area-specific processing (character area, halftone dot area, object area), then processing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling the image processing unit to apply different processing algorithms and parameters to different areas of the image (character areas, halftone dot areas, object areas, background areas) based on area identification through software analysis. This allows precise area-specific processing without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each area type, as the single unit can dynamically adapt its processing approach based on the detected image content.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device includes a first and a second image processing module including an image processing unit, and a connection module that is connected to the first and second image processing modules, and moves an image data from one image processing module to the other image processing module. At least one of the image processing modules includes a weighted average processing unit that calculates, based on a weighting coefficient included in an attribute value, a weighted average of a pixel value of the input image data and a image processed pixel value, and an output unit which outputs at least one of the image processed pixel value and the weighted-averaged pixel value.