Wallpaper Repair Image Generation for Aging-Matched Restoration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image printing technologies fail to address the issue of aging deterioration in wallpaper, leading to visible differences and an unnatural appearance when repairing stains or scratches, resulting in a sense of incongruity.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that analyzes wallpaper deterioration based on measurement information, learns the deterioration pattern, and generates a second image to harmonize with the existing wallpaper, reducing the need for replacing the entire wallpaper.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If existing image printing technology is used to repair wallpaper, then the repair process is simple, but the repaired area shows visible differences due to aging deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepair process simplicityVSAvoidvisual consistency of repaired area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the surrounding wallpaper's deterioration pattern before generating the repair image. By pre-measuring color values, texture characteristics, and aging patterns in the vicinity of the damaged area, the system prepares the necessary data to create a repair image that matches the aged appearance of the existing wallpaper, thus resolving the visual inconsistency issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different processing strategies to different regions of the wallpaper. The repair image is generated with localized characteristics that match the specific deterioration pattern of the surrounding area, while preserving the original pattern and texture in non-damaged regions. This local adaptation ensures visual consistency without requiring uniform processing of the entire wallpaper.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the entire wallpaper is replaced to achieve uniform appearance, then visual consistency is improved, but material consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual consistency of wallpaper surfaceVSAvoidamount of wallpaper material required
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the deteriorated portion of the wallpaper for replacement, rather than replacing the entire wallpaper. By isolating the damaged area and generating a repair image that matches the surrounding aged wallpaper, the system removes only the necessary portion while preserving the rest of the original wallpaper, thus reducing material consumption while maintaining visual consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a copy of the surrounding wallpaper's appearance characteristics (color, texture, pattern, aging effects) and applies it to the repair area. This copying approach allows the repaired section to blend seamlessly with the existing wallpaper, achieving visual consistency without requiring complete replacement of the original wallpaper.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If measurement and analysis of wallpaper deterioration is performed, then the accuracy of repair image generation is improved, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of deterioration removalVSAvoidimage processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex manual analysis and matching processes with automated image processing algorithms. By using computational methods to analyze deterioration patterns, measure color variations, and generate repair images, the system achieves high accuracy without requiring complex physical measurement devices or manual intervention, thus balancing precision with manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4561048B1Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and carrier medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP4561048B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4561048B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4561048B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An image processing apparatus (300) includes an acquisition unit (301) to acquire a first image obtained by imaging wallpaper and measurement information obtained by measuring the wallpaper, an analysis unit (302) to analyze deterioration of the wallpaper based on the measurement information, and a generation unit (304) to generate a second image by removing the deterioration from the first image.