Printing Control Apparatus Two-Stage Color Judgment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies require a long processing time for color/monochrome judgment as they perform pixel-by-pixel analysis, which is inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A printing control apparatus that performs a first color/monochrome judgment using attribute information, followed by a second judgment only on bitmap images identified as color in the first judgment, thereby reducing processing time and enhancing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a color/monochrome judgment is performed on a pixel-by-pixel basis for every image, then the judgment precision is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The judgment process is segmented into two distinct stages: a first color/monochrome judgment performed on all images using attribute information, and a second judgment performed only on images identified as color in the first stage. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently filter out monochrome images without pixel-by-pixel analysis while maintaining precise color detection for potential color images
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing the computationally intensive second judgment on all images, the system applies partial action by performing it only on images that are identified as color in the first judgment. This reduces the scope of detailed analysis to only those cases where it is necessary, thereby maintaining precision while reducing overall processing time
2Measurement precision
If a color/monochrome judgment is performed on all images using pixel-by-pixel analysis, then the judgment precision is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing workflow is divided into two sequential stages: a fast first judgment using attribute information applied to all images, followed by a detailed second judgment applied only to images identified as color. This segmentation enables high-speed processing of the majority of images while maintaining precise color detection where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The first color/monochrome judgment using attribute information is performed as a preliminary action before the detailed second judgment. This preliminary filtering step quickly identifies images that require further analysis, allowing the system to proceed efficiently with high productivity while ensuring accurate color detection through the subsequent detailed judgment
3Reliability
If color raster data is generated for all images, then the completeness of data is improved, but the memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial action by generating color raster data only for images that are identified as color through the two-stage judgment process. For images determined to be monochrome, only monochrome raster data is generated. This selective approach ensures data completeness for color images while significantly reducing overall memory consumption
4Productivity
If a first color/monochrome judgment is made using attribute information, then the processing speed is improved, but the judgment precision may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The judgment system is segmented into two complementary stages: a first fast judgment using attribute information that provides initial classification, and a second precise judgment using pixel-by-pixel analysis that confirms color status. The segmentation allows the fast first stage to handle the majority of cases efficiently while the precise second stage resolves any uncertainty for images that may be color
Solution Approach 2:
The first judgment result serves as feedback to determine whether the second judgment should be performed. Images identified as color in the first judgment trigger the second precise judgment, creating a feedback loop that ensures accurate color detection. This feedback mechanism maintains high judgment precision while avoiding unnecessary detailed analysis of monochrome images
Data Source
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AI summary
A printing control apparatus includes: an intermediate data generating unit that generates a piece of intermediate data; a judgment unit that, using attribute information, judges whether a piece of object data is a bitmap image; a first color/monochrome judgment unit that makes a color/monochrome judgment using the attribute information; and a second color/monochrome judgment unit that further makes the color/monochrome judgment for each individual pixel when the piece of object data is a bitmap image and is judged to be in color by the first color/monochrome judgment unit.