Scanned Image Object Compression for Legible Small E-Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for compressing image data from Multi Function Peripherals (MFPs) to reduce file size often result in uneven color distribution and difficulties in maintaining legibility, especially when reducing the number of objects and colors, leading to increased file size and processing time.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates and integrates objects based on specific conditions to reduce the number of character and non-character objects, using lossless compression for characters and lossy compression for backgrounds, with parameters determined by initial lossless compression data, to minimize file size while preserving color uniformity and legibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If lossy compression is used to compress image data at high compression ratio, then the quantity of data is reduced to be suitable for transmission by electronic mail, but characters in the image become too blurred to read
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different compression methods to different areas of the image: lossless compression (MMR) is applied to character areas to preserve legibility, while lossy compression (JPEG) is applied to non-character areas to maximize data reduction. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by ensuring characters remain readable while achieving high overall compression ratios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image into character objects and non-character objects using object extraction and integration processes. By dividing the image data into distinct segments with different compression characteristics, the system can apply appropriate compression methods to each segment, thereby maintaining character legibility while reducing overall file size.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional compression methods are used to reduce file size, then the quantity of data is reduced, but uneven color distribution is generated and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary object extraction and integration before compression, organizing image data into character and non-character objects in advance. This preliminary organization enables more efficient compression processing by allowing parallel processing of different object types and reducing the computational complexity during the actual compression phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts compression parameters based on the type of object being processed: lossless compression parameters are used for character objects to preserve text quality, while lossy compression parameters are used for non-character objects to maximize size reduction. This parameter differentiation optimizes both processing efficiency and output quality.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of objects is reduced by integrating character objects, then file size is reduced, but color uniformity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
When integrating character objects, the patent applies color correction to specific regions where color non-uniformity is detected. By locally adjusting color parameters in integrated objects, the system maintains color uniformity and character legibility while still achieving file size reduction through object integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that evaluates the quality of integrated character objects, particularly monitoring color uniformity and character legibility. Based on this evaluation, the system adjusts integration parameters and applies corrective processing to ensure that file size reduction does not compromise color quality or text readability.
Data Source
AI summary
The image processing device is provided with an area process portion for generating objects indicating specific areas included in original image data of an scanned original and for discriminating whether each of the objects is a character object or a non-character object, an integration process portion for performing a process of integrating character objects that satisfy a first condition so as to make one character object and a process of integrating character objects that have remained after integration and satisfy a second condition if the number of the remaining character objects is larger than a preset value, a lossless compression portion for performing a lossless compression process on a character object, and a lossy compression portion for performing a lossy compression process on a non-character object.