Integrated Circuit for Image Processing Toner Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in reducing toner consumption while maintaining print quality, often requiring separate hardware circuits for different image processing functions, leading to increased hardware scale and costs.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a pixel identifying unit that determines the character of pixels based on adjacent pixels and generates identification information, and a density converting unit that applies contour extraction or edge density reduction functions to optimize toner usage without increasing hardware scale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate hardware circuits are provided for each image processing function (contour extraction and edge density reduction), then each print condition can be exclusively implemented, but the hardware scale increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified image processing circuit that can perform both contour extraction and edge density reduction functions. The circuit includes a pixel type determination unit that identifies whether a pixel is an edge pixel or non-edge pixel, and a density conversion unit that applies different density conversion based on the pixel type and selected print condition. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware to exclusively implement different print conditions through software control rather than requiring separate hardware circuits for each function.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform developing condition is applied, then the image forming process is simple, but excess toner is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different density conversion rules to different regions of the image based on pixel type. Edge pixels (which form contours) and non-edge pixels are processed differently through density conversion. The density conversion unit converts density values for edge pixels and non-edge pixels according to different conversion tables or rules, allowing optimized toner distribution where edge portions receive appropriate density for clear contour definition while non-edge portions use reduced density to minimize toner consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a pixel identifying unit that extracts a target partial image formed of a pixel of interest and adjacent pixels from input image data, determines a character of the pixel of interest based on the pixel of interest and the adjacent pixels, and generates identification information indicating a result of determination on the character; and a density converting unit that converts a density of a pixel of the image data based on a contour extraction function or an edge density reducing function on the image data by using the identification information.