Monochromatic Hatch Pattern Generation for Color Image Differentiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for converting color image data to monochromatic image data often fail to accurately differentiate between colors, leading to indistinguishable color differences in the resulting monochromatic images, especially when using methods like JP-A-2011-23895, which creates complex dot patterns that are difficult for users to interpret.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device that determines a monochromatic pattern corresponding to the color of the image, adjusts the background concentration and line density of the pattern based on the image's brightness, and applies these changes to generate monochromatic image data, allowing for better differentiation of color differences by altering the background concentration and line density according to the original image's brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If dot patterns of cyan, magenta, and yellow are superimposed to convert color image to monochromatic image, then color difference in original image is reflected, but the monochromatic image becomes too detailed with great number of patterns making it difficult for users to differentiate and recognize color differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential color difference information from the original color image and represents it through simplified monochromatic patterns. Instead of using complex superimposed dot patterns of multiple colors, the invention extracts color characteristics and represents them through controlled monochromatic hatch patterns with varying directions and densities, thereby preserving color difference information while eliminating unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different hatch patterns to different regions of the image based on local color characteristics. Each region receives a pattern optimized for its specific color properties, with pattern direction, density, and style adjusted locally to represent the underlying color differences. This localized approach maintains color differentiation while avoiding the need for complex global patterns
2Illumination intensity
If simple gray conversion formula is used to convert RGB values to gray values, then brightness information is preserved, but different colors with equivalent brightness are indistinguishable in the monochromatic image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes multiple parameters of the monochromatic pattern simultaneously - including pattern direction, line density, hatch style, and spacing - to encode color information. Instead of relying on a single gray value parameter, the invention uses a combination of pattern parameters to represent both brightness and color characteristics, thereby preserving color differentiation capability while maintaining brightness information
Data Source
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AI summary
An image processing device includes a pattern kind determining unit that determines a hatch pattern representing a hatch shape corresponding to a color of a color image by a monochromatic concentration, a pattern concentration determining unit that determines a background concentration that is applied to a hatch-shaped background area, and a monochromatic image data generating unit that generates monochromatic image data in which the hatch pattern having the background concentration is applied to the background area. The pattern concentration determining unit changes the background concentration of the hatch pattern according to the color of the color image.