Image Enlargement Using Phase-Based Character Interpolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in effectively enlarging images while maintaining quality, as existing methods often result in blurred lines, irregular curves, and non-uniform line widths or intervals, especially when transitioning from scanner resolution to printer resolution, which requires costly apparatus adjustments and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that extracts similar character images at a first resolution and calculates their phases with higher precision, generating images in a second resolution based on these phases, thereby improving image quality by interpolating pixel values and adjusting character sizes uniformly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image enlargement is performed using conventional methods, then the resolution is increased, but the image quality deteriorates with blurred lines and irregular curves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image into multiple character images and extracts similar characters to create a database. This segmentation allows for precise phase calculation and interpolation of individual character components, which then can be reassembled into high-quality enlarged images without the blurring and irregularities of conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a phase dimension beyond the traditional pixel grid. By calculating phases with precision higher than one pixel and using these phases in interpolation, the system adds a dimensional aspect that enables smooth transitions and uniform line widths while maintaining high resolution.
2Manufacturing precision
If apparatus adjustments are made to achieve desired resolution, then the image quality improves, but the cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical apparatus adjustments with computational methods. Instead of physically adjusting scanning or printing equipment to achieve different resolutions, the system uses image processing algorithms that extract character images, calculate phases, and interpolate pixel values to generate high-quality enlarged images through computation rather than mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a database of similar character images and uses these copies to generate enlarged images. By extracting and storing multiple similar characters, the system can interpolate and regenerate character images at higher resolutions without requiring physical apparatus adjustments, thus reducing complexity and cost.
3Productivity
If conventional image enlargement is used, then productivity is maintained, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary extraction of character images and creation of a similar character database during processing. This preliminary action allows the system to store and reference character patterns, enabling fast interpolation and generation of high-quality enlarged images without sacrificing productivity, as the heavy computation is done in advance on extracted components.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus includes: an extraction unit that extracts a first image and a second image similar to the first image, in a first resolution; and a generation unit that generates an image in a second resolution based on the respective images extracted by the extraction unit and phases of the respective images calculated with precision higher than one pixel in the first resolution.