Unified Filled Region Rendering for Image Data Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image formation processes that express gradation using filled regions and one-line image data result in increased object numbers and data sizes, leading to prolonged processing times due to the need for expansion and halftone processing on each pixel.
Innovation Solution
An image forming system and method that unifies multiple filled regions into one-line image data, allowing for efficient conversion and transmission, and includes rendering means to generate halftoned rectangular tile data for each pixel, enabling faster image formation by applying the tile data to the filled regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple filled regions are used to express gradation, then gradation expression is achieved, but data size and object number increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple filled regions that express gradation into a single unified filled region. Instead of storing separate objects for each gradation level, the invention combines them into one object with a unified boundary, significantly reducing the number of objects and data size while preserving the gradation effect through internal pixel value variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If expansion processing and halftone processing are performed on unified filled region for each pixel, then gradation expression is achieved, but image formation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs expansion processing and halftone processing in advance during the image formation setup phase, rather than processing each pixel individually during rendering. By pre-calculating and storing the processed pixel values in the unified filled region, the system avoids time-consuming per-pixel processing during actual image display, thus improving image formation speed while maintaining gradation quality.
3Quantity of substance
If one-line image data is used to reduce data size, then data compression is achieved, but processing complexity increases due to conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential boundary information of the unified filled region into one-line image data, separating the boundary definition from the internal pixel value information. This allows the system to store compact one-line data for region definition while keeping pre-processed pixel values for direct rendering, reducing overall processing complexity despite the conversion step.
Data Source
AI summary
A gradation conversion process section converts gradation made up of a plurality of filled regions and filling colors thereof into one-line image data of a filled region into which the plurality of filled regions is unified. A data transmitting process section transmits the one-line image data to a data reception process section. The received one-line image data is interpreted by a PDL interpretation process section, and converted into data which can be interpreted by a rendering process section, and the data is saved on a display list. The rendering process section converts the saved data into gradation made up of a plurality of filled regions and filling colors thereof, and renders the gradation.