Dither Pattern Adjustment for Dot Dispersiveness in Dual-Head Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems using dual recording heads face challenges in maintaining image quality due to discharge position deviations, leading to differences in dot arrangement dispersiveness between overlapping and non-overlapping recording areas, resulting in decreased image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that generates recording data for a dual-head system by acquiring multivalued image data for each pixel area and quantizing it using a dither pattern to ensure consistent dot arrangements across areas, even with discharge position deviations, by adjusting threshold values to maintain high dispersiveness in overlapping areas and reduce differences between overlapping and non-overlapping areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If discharge position deviation occurs between two recording sections, then dot arrangement dispersiveness becomes different between overlapping and non-overlapping recording areas, but image quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different dither patterns to different recording areas (overlapping vs. non-overlapping) to optimize dot arrangement dispersiveness locally for each area, ensuring consistent image quality despite discharge position deviations between recording sections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dither pattern parameters based on the recording area type, using first dither patterns for overlapping areas and second dither patterns for non-overlapping areas, thereby adapting the dot arrangement to compensate for discharge position deviations
2Productivity
If recording is performed by only one recording section for the entire area, then recording time is reduced, but image quality at boundary areas decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recording area into overlapping and non-overlapping areas, and further segments the dither pattern selection based on these areas, allowing optimized processing for each segment while maintaining overall image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent preliminarily determines which dither pattern to use for each recording area before actual recording, based on whether the area is overlapping or non-overlapping, thereby preparing the optimal dot arrangement strategy in advance
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus performs quantization processing of first multivalued image data, second multivalued image data, and third multivalued image data using a dither pattern including a plurality of threshold pixels having threshold values respectively determined for quantization, generates first recording data by quantizing the first multivalued image data using a dither pattern having a threshold pixel arrangement satisfying a predetermined condition regarding the number of threshold pixels and a predetermined condition regarding low-frequency components corresponding to a frequency region lower than a predetermined frequency in spatial frequency characteristics corresponding to an arrangement of the threshold pixels, generates second recording data by quantizing the second multivalued image data using the dither pattern having the threshold pixel arrangement, and generates third recording data by quantizing the third multivalued image data using the dither pattern having the threshold pixel arrangement and the second multivalued image data.