Method of predicting and processing image fine structures
First Claim
1. The method of predicting and processing image fine structures, comprising:
- separating pixel values of an original image into pixels for each of CMY or CMYK plates;
converting the pixels separated in said separating step to pixel values for predicting image fine structures which will appear in a printed halftone image, by subjecting the values of the pixel to be converted and neighboring pixels to weighted averaging with adjustable weights dependent on the period of grid units that is determined by the screen ruling and screen angle for said printed halftone image, wherein said pixel values for predicting image fine structures which will appear in a printed halftone image is image data of a continuous tone image;
wherein said weights dependent on the period of grid units are arranged in the respective elements of a weighting matrix of the same mask size as said neighboring pixels, wherein if the weights to be arranged in the respective elements of said weighting matrix are written as F(i, j, k, l), if E(k, l) is written for a coefficient matrix of the same size as said weighting matrix, said coefficient matrix having a coefficient of 1.0 at the center and a coefficient of 0 in the other positions and if the coefficient of said weight adjustment is written as α
, then the weight to be arranged in the respective elements of said weighting matrix after weight adjustment are given by the following equation (1);
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Abstract
By simulating the interference-generated image fine structures with a continuous-tone printer or a display, the image fine structures can be predicted as faithfully as can be achieved by high quality machines. This is done without sacrificing the advantages of the continuous-tone printer or display (i.e., convenience in handling and the low costs of materials and machine), while ensuring that moiré, line discontinuities, imperfections in straight lines and other image fine structures that may appear in a printed document are predicted on a hard or soft proof accurately and conveniently and within a short time. The intensity of moiré and other peculiar patterns that occur when simulating the image fine structures in a printed document can be freely adjusted in accordance with the type of the printing machine which is to be employed to produce the printed document. Pixel values of an original image are separated, processed, and subjected to weighted averaging with adjustable weights.
32 Citations
17 Claims
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1. The method of predicting and processing image fine structures, comprising:
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separating pixel values of an original image into pixels for each of CMY or CMYK plates;
converting the pixels separated in said separating step to pixel values for predicting image fine structures which will appear in a printed halftone image, by subjecting the values of the pixel to be converted and neighboring pixels to weighted averaging with adjustable weights dependent on the period of grid units that is determined by the screen ruling and screen angle for said printed halftone image, wherein said pixel values for predicting image fine structures which will appear in a printed halftone image is image data of a continuous tone image;
wherein said weights dependent on the period of grid units are arranged in the respective elements of a weighting matrix of the same mask size as said neighboring pixels, wherein if the weights to be arranged in the respective elements of said weighting matrix are written as F(i, j, k, l), if E(k, l) is written for a coefficient matrix of the same size as said weighting matrix, said coefficient matrix having a coefficient of 1.0 at the center and a coefficient of 0 in the other positions and if the coefficient of said weight adjustment is written as α
, then the weight to be arranged in the respective elements of said weighting matrix after weight adjustment are given by the following equation (1);
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. The method of predicting and processing image fine structures, comprising:
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separating pixel values of an original image into pixels for each of CMY or CMYK plates;
converting the pixels separated in said separating step to pixel values for predicting image fine structures which will appear in a printed halftone image, by subjecting the values of the pixel to be converted and neighboring pixels to weighted averaging with adjustable weights dependent on the period of grid units that is determined by the screen ruling and screen angle for said printed halftone image, wherein said pixel values for predicting image fine structures which will appear in a printed halftone image is image data of a continuous tone image;
wherein said weights dependent on the period of grid units are arranged in the respective elements of a weighting matrix of the same mask size as said neighboring pixels;
wherein the weights to be arranged in the respective elements of said weighting matrix are the values of the respective elements of the weighting matrix which are directly selected from among the threshold values that are arranged in a halftoning threshold matrix and which are located in positions that correspond to those pixels of which the values are to be converted, said values of the respective elements of the weighting matrix having been processed with a decreasing filter the value of which decreases gradually from the central element of the weighting matrix towards peripheral elements;
wherein the weights to be arranged in the respective elements of said weighting matrix are either the values obtained by the processing with said decreasing filter or the respective values of the threshold matrix as changed to the resolution of said output device and which have been subjected to processing with a sharpness filter having characteristics substantially opposite to those of the processing with said decreasing filter. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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16. The method according to claim 13, wherein said decreasing filter and said sharpness filter are combined into a single filter.
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17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said weighting matrix after said weight adjustment and said sharpness filter after said sharpness adjustment are assembled into a single filter.
Specification