Line Pair Pattern Identification in Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing methods for image forming apparatuses, such as MFPs, fail to accurately identify line pair patterns, leading to inadequate smoothing processes and incorrect edge enhancements, resulting in noticeable visual differences and increased data processing time.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that includes a reader, detector, and identifier to detect and identify line pair patterns by analyzing the difference in line screen patterns in orthogonal directions, using binarization and transition point calculations to determine the presence and inclination of line pair patterns, thereby executing appropriate smoothing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the existing halftone region identification process is used, then individual dots in standard halftones can be identified, but line screen patterns and line pair patterns cannot be detected as halftones
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into multiple specialized detectors: a standard halftone detector for traditional dot patterns, a line screen pattern detector for linear connected dot patterns, and a line pair pattern detector for alternating line patterns. Each detector is optimized for specific pattern types, enabling comprehensive coverage while maintaining high detection precision for each pattern category.
2Measurement precision
If coordinate conversion is performed on each pixel to detect image inclination, then inclination detection is achieved, but data amount and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing coordinate conversion on every pixel, the invention extracts only the necessary information by detecting transition points between light and dark regions in the binarized image. This extraction approach obtains inclination data without the computational overhead of full pixel-wise coordinate conversion, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from individual pixel coordinates to transition point positions. By detecting where transitions occur between light and dark regions rather than processing every pixel coordinate, the system achieves inclination detection with reduced computational complexity and faster processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus is provided with a line pair identification unit that includes: a binarization portion that binarizes image data generated by a reading unit reading a document; a detection portion that detects, in an image based on the binarized image data, a line screen pattern in a first direction and a line screen pattern in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction; a determination portion that determines the periodicity of the line screen pattern in the first direction; and an identification portion that identifies whether or not a line pair pattern is present in the image data based on the difference in the number between the two line screen patterns as detected by the detection portion and the results of the determination performed by the determination portion.