Image Processing Rasterizer Gray Reproduction Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems fail to reproduce gray tones appropriately for different types of objects, as the method of reproducing gray (using CMYK color mixture or black) is determined solely by the presence of chromatic colors around gray areas, neglecting the object's attributes.
Innovation Solution
An image processing device and apparatus that includes a rasterizer and color space converter, which determines the appropriate method for reproducing gray based on object attributes and adds gray reproduction information to raster data, allowing conversion to a color space that uses either black or multiple color materials for accurate gray representation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If gray is reproduced by mixture of CMYK coloring materials, then good tone continuousness is provided between gray areas and chromatic color areas, but the gray areas do not look sharp
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining the gray reproduction method based on the specific object type. For image objects, gray is reproduced by CMYK mixture to ensure tone continuousness. For text and graphic objects, gray is reproduced by black coloring material to ensure sharpness. This localized approach allows different parts of the image (different object types) to use different gray reproduction methods appropriate to their nature.
2Manufacturing precision
If gray is reproduced by black coloring material, then the gray areas look sharp, but tone continuousness between gray areas and chromatic color areas is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by determining the gray reproduction method based on the specific object type. For image objects, gray is reproduced by CMYK mixture to ensure tone continuousness. For text and graphic objects, gray is reproduced by black coloring material to ensure sharpness. This localized approach allows different parts of the image (different object types) to use different gray reproduction methods appropriate to their nature.
3Ease of operation
If gray reproduction method is determined solely by presence of chromatic color area, then the process is simple, but gray is not reproduced appropriately for all object types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the object type (image, text, or graphic) before performing gray reproduction. The rasterizer identifies the object type in advance and stores this information, allowing the color space converter to select the appropriate gray reproduction method (CMYK mixture for images, black for text and graphics) based on this pre-determined classification, rather than relying solely on the presence of chromatic colors.
4Device complexity
If object attribute information is not included in raster data, then the data structure is simple, but the method to reproduce gray cannot be determined for color space conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the object type (image, text, or graphic) before performing gray reproduction. The rasterizer identifies the object type in advance and stores this information, allowing the color space converter to select the appropriate gray reproduction method (CMYK mixture for images, black for text and graphics) based on this pre-determined classification, rather than relying solely on the presence of chromatic colors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element (object type information) that bridges the gap between simple raster data and the need for sophisticated gray reproduction decisions. The rasterizer adds metadata about the object type to the raster data, serving as an intermediary that guides the color space converter in making appropriate gray reproduction decisions without requiring complex analysis during conversion.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing device include a memory, a rasterizer and a color space converter. The rasterizer is configured to generate raster data expressed in a first color space by rendering an object in the memory. The color space converter is configured to convert the raster data from the first color space to a second color space capable of being set so as to reproduce gray of gray pixels in the object by any one of a black coloring material and mixture of multiple color materials. The rasterizer determines whether the gray is reproduced by the black coloring material or the mixture of multiple color materials based on an attribute of the object and adds the gray reproduction information that is obtained from the determination to the raster data. The color space converter sets pixel levels in the second color space based on the gray reproduction information.