Flare Compensation in Image Processing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems for electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately compensating for flare effects, especially when color patches are located near printed user content, leading to inaccurate image data due to stray light interference.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that reads images under different conditions to derive and remove flare components by assigning reflectance based on distance and obtaining color information, allowing for precise flare compensation and image updating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If flare compensation is performed using a predetermined pattern, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates when color patches are located near printed user content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user content into multiple regions based on their spatial relationship with the color patch. It identifies a first region (close to the patch and likely to cause flare) and a second region (far from the patch), then processes these regions differently during flare compensation, allowing accurate compensation while maintaining device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different reflectance values to different regions of the user content based on their local characteristics and distance from the color patch. The first region near the patch is assigned a first reflectance value, while the second region farther away is assigned a second reflectance value, enabling localized accurate flare compensation
2Ease of operation
If the color patch is placed in the blank space bordering the printed area, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to unpredictable flare influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the user content before flare compensation by identifying regions and assigning reflectance values based on their spatial relationships. This preliminary processing enables accurate flare compensation even when patches are placed in blank spaces near printed content
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a reflected light amount image that replicates the flare effect, then uses this copied representation to subtract the flare component from the original patch reading, enabling accurate compensation without restricting patch placement
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 enables accurate flare compensation and image updating, improving the accuracy of image data by distinguishing and removing flare components, even when flare is significant, and modifying printing positions to minimize its influence.
Implementation Method 1
read a first image consisting of user content and a second image consisting of a patch from a medium in a first reading condition and a second reading condition in which flare less occurs
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus accurately compensates a flare component. An image forming apparatus reads images in a first reading condition and a second reading condition in which flare less occurs, and includes: a reflectance assignment unit for assigning a reflectance to the first image in accordance with the distance between the first image and the second image; a color information arithmetic unit for obtaining color information about the first image read in the second reading condition; a flare component derivation unit for deriving a flare component of the second image based on the reflectance and the color information; and a flare component removing unit for removing a flare component of the second image read in the first reading condition, based on the second image read in the first reading condition and the flare component derived by the flare component derivation unit.