Image Processor Early Color Classification via Block Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image processors are inefficient in classifying strong and weak color original images as color originals, as they require completing block determination processes across the entire scanned image, leading to slow sorting processes.
Innovation Solution
An image processor that divides the read image into blocks and performs block determination processes individually, classifying the image as a color original when a predetermined number of blocks meet specific color criteria, allowing for early classification without completing the process on all blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional image processor performs block determination processes on all blocks in the scanned image before classification, then both strong color original images and weak color original images can be classified as color originals, but the sorting process becomes uniformly slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanned image into multiple blocks and processes them in sequence rather than uniformly. By segmenting the image into blocks and evaluating them individually, the system can identify strong color regions early and terminate processing prematurely, avoiding the need to process all blocks. This segmentation enables differential processing paths: early termination for strong color originals versus complete processing for weak color originals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by performing block determination processes on only a subset of blocks when a strong color region is detected. Instead of requiring complete processing of all blocks, the system performs partial processing (on blocks up to and including the strong color region) and then terminates early. This partial action maintains classification accuracy for strong color originals while significantly improving sorting speed.
2Productivity
If the image processor detects strong color regions to classify strong color original images as color originals, then classification speed improves, but the system cannot classify weak color original images without completing block determination on all blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic processing behavior that adapts based on the content being analyzed. The system monitors block determination results in real-time and dynamically adjusts the processing flow: when a strong color region is detected, the system switches to early termination mode; when no strong color regions are found after processing all blocks, it switches to weak color original classification mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize for speed when appropriate while maintaining versatility for all image types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where block determination results are continuously evaluated during the processing sequence. The feedback from each block's color analysis informs the next processing decision: if a block contains a strong color region, feedback triggers early termination; if all blocks are processed without strong color regions, feedback enables weak color original classification. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain both speed and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processor reads an image from an original, divides the image into a plurality of blocks, and performs a determination process on each block. Through the determination process, a block is classified as a first color block or second color block. The image processor classifies the original as a color image when a number of first color blocks reach a prescribed number before the determination processes for all of the plurality of blocks have been completed. The image processor classifies the original as the color image when a number of first color blocks determined through the determination processes for all of the plurality of blocks is fewer than the prescribed number and a color ratio is greater than a prescribed ratio. The color ratio is the sum of the number of the first color blocks and the number of the second color blocks to the plurality of blocks.