Tone Correction Value Generation Using Regular Matrix Synthesis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming systems face challenges in maintaining color reproducibility and achieving high-definition images with a limited number of measurement channels in the measurement sensor, leading to variations in tone correction.
Innovation Solution
An improved image forming system that includes an image output device, a measurement sensor, a tone correction value generation unit, and a tone correction unit, which measures reflection characteristics and generates tone correction values using a regular matrix synthesis to correct tone characteristics for each basic color, allowing for accurate image output with fewer measurement channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of measurement channels in the measurement sensor is increased to improve color measurement accuracy and tone correction quality, then the measurement precision and image quality are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of measurement channel configuration by using a 3-channel measurement sensor instead of increasing to 4 or more channels. It achieves accurate tone correction by changing the computational approach - using a regular matrix synthesis method that works with the limited 3-channel data to calculate tone correction values for all basic colors, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual extension of the measurement capability by using mathematical synthesis to generate correction information for colors not directly measured. The regular matrix synthesis method effectively 'copies' the measurement information from the 3 measured channels to derive tone correction values for all basic colors, achieving full-color correction capability with limited physical sensors
2Manufacturing precision
If the number of measurement channels is increased to achieve high-definition images with more basic colors, then the image quality and color reproduction are improved, but the cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high-definition image output by changing the computational parameter approach - using regular matrix synthesis to calculate tone correction values from limited measurement data. This mathematical approach enables accurate tone correction for multiple basic colors without requiring a proportional increase in measurement channels, thereby maintaining image quality while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mathematical intermediary (the regular matrix synthesis method) between the limited measurement data and the required tone correction values. This intermediary process enables the system to derive accurate correction information for all basic colors from the 3-channel measurement sensor, achieving high-definition color reproduction without directly increasing sensor complexity
3Device complexity
If tone correction is performed based only on measurement values of output image color, then the system is simple, but the tone correction accuracy varies and reproducibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves tone correction accuracy by changing the computational parameters used in correction value calculation. It employs regular matrix synthesis that combines reflection characteristic data with image data array information, creating a more robust calculation method that maintains consistent accuracy across different basic colors and output conditions, thereby improving reproducibility while keeping the system relatively simple
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively maintains constant reproduced colors and achieves high-definition images by synthesizing tone correction values based on reflection characteristics and image data, even with a measurement sensor having fewer channels than the number of basic colors, reducing costs and colorimetric errors.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement sensor measures a reflection characteristic of at least a part of the image output by the image output device
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming system includes an image output device, a measurement sensor, a tone correction value generation unit, and a tone correction unit. The image output device outputs an image on a recording medium with a mixture of a plurality of basic colors based on an image data array combining the basic colors. The measurement sensor measures a reflection characteristic of at least a part of the image output by the image output device. The tone correction value generation unit generates, for each of the basic colors, a tone correction value for correcting a tone characteristic of the basic color by synthesizing a correction array forming a regular matrix based on the reflection characteristic measured by the measurement sensor and the image data array. The tone correction unit corrects an image output by the image output device with the tone correction value.