Metal Texture Reproduction Consistency Across Printing Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional decoration techniques for metal textures in digital data do not consider print characteristics, leading to inconsistent results across different printing devices and media, resulting in blurred or differently perceived metal textures.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that acquires and selects texture data based on output conditions, such as rendering resolution, to enhance the skewness of luminance histograms and improve the perceived luster feeling of metal textures, ensuring consistent metal texture reproduction across various printing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional decoration techniques are used to add metal texture to digital data, then metal representation can be achieved, but the print result varies across different printing devices and media due to print characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconsistency of metal texture reproductionVSAvoidadaptability to different printing conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-correcting texture data based on predicted print characteristics before printing occurs. The image processing apparatus analyzes expected print conditions (device type, medium, resolution) and pre-adjusts the texture data to compensate for anticipated blur or distortion, ensuring consistent metal texture reproduction across different printing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting texture data parameters (such as blur amount, contrast, and frequency components) based on the specific printing conditions. Different texture parameters are applied depending on the printing device type, medium characteristics, and resolution settings to maintain reliable metal texture representation across varying print environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If texture data is applied without considering print characteristics, then processing is simple, but the metal texture appears blurred or differently perceived in print output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of metal texture reproductionVSAvoidcomplexity of image processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing step that acts as a bridge between the original texture data and the final print output. The image processing apparatus serves as an intermediary that translates texture data into a form optimized for specific printing conditions, applying corrections that account for print characteristics without requiring changes to the printing devices themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-correcting texture data based on predicted print characteristics before printing occurs. The image processing apparatus analyzes expected print conditions (device type, medium, resolution) and pre-adjusts the texture data to compensate for anticipated blur or distortion, ensuring consistent metal texture reproduction across different printing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If different printing devices are used to print decorated data, then output flexibility is improved, but the metal texture perception becomes inconsistent across devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in printing device selectionVSAvoidconsistency of metal texture perception

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by creating a standardized texture data correction process that works across multiple printing device types. The image processing apparatus applies universal correction principles that adapt to various device characteristics (inkjet, laser, offset printing) while maintaining consistent metal texture perception, making the solution universally applicable to different printing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting texture data parameters (such as blur amount, contrast, and frequency components) based on the specific printing conditions. Different texture parameters are applied depending on the printing device type, medium characteristics, and resolution settings to maintain reliable metal texture representation across varying print environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11983584B2Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a target region, a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of texture data for applying a metal representation on an image, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire an output condition when outputting the target region, a selection unit configured to select texture data based on the output condition, and an application unit configured to apply, to the target region, the texture data selected by the selection unit.