Color Raster Scaling for Print Fixation Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image formation apparatuses face misalignment and size inconsistencies due to expansion or contraction of the printing medium during fixation, particularly when forming images with multiple colors, as the scaling processing is not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a first processing unit for scaling all colors with a common scaling factor and a second processing unit for scaling the particular color with a differential scaling factor, ensuring precise alignment and size consistency by managing the expansion and contraction of the printing medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the printing medium is heated for fixation after ink ejection, then the ink is fixed on the printing medium, but the printing medium expands or contracts causing misalignment and size inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing scaling processing on the printing data before the fixation step. The control unit scales the printing data with a first scaling factor during rasterization, and separately scales the particular color data with a second scaling factor. This pre-scaling compensates for the expansion or contraction that will occur during fixation, ensuring that the images align correctly and maintain proper dimensions after the heating process.
2Manufacturing precision
If scaling processing is performed on printing data to compensate for medium expansion, then alignment improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the scaling processing into two distinct segments: first scaling processing applied to all printing data with a first scaling factor, and second scaling processing applied specifically to particular color data with a second scaling factor. This segmented approach allows each scaling operation to be optimized independently, managing complexity while achieving precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by applying different scaling factors to different types of data. The first scaling factor is applied universally to all printing data, while the second scaling factor is applied locally only to the particular color data that requires special compensation. This differentiated approach optimizes alignment precision for specific color layers without unnecessarily complicating the processing of all data.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate scaling is applied to particular color data, then alignment precision improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs both scaling operations as preliminary actions during the rasterization phase, before the actual printing and fixation processes. By completing the first scaling on all printing data and the second scaling on particular color data in advance, the system eliminates the need for additional scaling operations later, thereby minimizing processing time while maintaining high alignment precision.
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
This approach reduces processing time and maintains image quality by performing scaling appropriately for each printing step, minimizing the need for pre-scaling on the designer's end and reducing the risk of image misalignment and size discrepancies.
Implementation Method 1
As a method of fixation, for example, there has been known a method of heating the printing medium after the ink ejection
Data Source
AI summary
An image formation apparatus configured to execute printing and fixation of color data included in printing data and printing and fixation of particular color data included in the printing data to overlap with each other on a printing medium, includes: a first processing unit configured to scale the printing data with a first scaling factor and execute rasterization processing in which raster data for each color is outputted; and a second processing unit configured to scale raster data of a particular color out of the raster data for each color with a second scaling factor different from the first scaling factor.