Selective Image Upsampling for Album Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for creating high-definition printed products from image data face challenges in balancing image quality and processing time, as high-quality image data requires longer data transfer times and increased processing times due to larger file sizes, while low-quality data may not meet the desired resolution for printing.
Innovation Solution
An information processing method that analyzes image characteristics to determine which images require upsampling for high-quality printing, optimizing pixel counts based on predetermined conditions, and selectively performing image conversion only on images that meet these criteria, thereby reducing processing time and data size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high quality image data with high resolution is used for printing, then image quality is improved, but data transfer time and processing time increase due to large data size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating image processing based on individual image characteristics. Instead of uniformly processing all images at high resolution, the system analyzes each image's features (such as complexity, color distribution, and detail density) and selectively applies upsampling only to images that require it. This ensures high image quality where necessary while avoiding unnecessary processing overhead for simpler images, thereby resolving the contradiction between image quality and processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the resolution parameter based on image characteristics. The system changes the resolution parameter adaptively - maintaining original resolution for images that already meet quality requirements and increasing resolution only for images that benefit from upsampling. This selective parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between image quality and data size, reducing transfer time while preserving necessary quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If upsampling is performed on all images to increase resolution, then image quality is improved, but processing time becomes longer with increased amount of image data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing upsampling only on a subset of images that require resolution enhancement. The system analyzes each image's characteristics and determines whether upsampling is necessary, applying the processing only where needed rather than uniformly to all images. This selective approach maintains image quality for complex images while avoiding redundant processing for simpler images, thereby improving overall processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by performing image characteristic analysis before the upsampling process. The system pre-evaluates each image to determine if it requires resolution enhancement, and only then proceeds with upsampling for those specific images. This preliminary classification step prevents unnecessary processing of images that already meet quality standards, significantly reducing overall processing time while maintaining image quality where required.
3Loss of time
If low quality image data with small data size is transferred and upsampling is performed, then data transfer time is shortened, but processing time increases with more images requiring upsampling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the receiving device to autonomously determine which images require upsampling based on transmitted characteristic information. Instead of requiring centralized processing decisions, each image's processing needs are self-determined through pre-transmitted metadata about image characteristics. This allows the system to minimize transfer time by sending only essential characteristic data while enabling efficient local processing decisions, balancing transfer speed and processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by transmitting image characteristic information as intermediate data between the source and processing stages. Rather than transferring complete high-resolution images or making processing decisions centrally, the system transmits compact characteristic metadata that mediates between transfer efficiency and processing accuracy. This intermediate information enables the receiving system to make informed upsampling decisions without handling large data volumes, optimizing both transfer time and processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An album creation application displays an image arrangement screen and an image selection screen, and image data selected by a user from among an image group is arranged in an image slot selected by the user on the image arrangement screen. Each of the image data, which is arranged in the respective image slots included in album data for which an order is confirmed, is analyzed so as to determine whether or not each of the image data is a target of high quality printing. Based on the analysis result, upsampling for increasing the resolution is selectively performed to the image data included in the album data. The album data is sent to an image printer.