Image Forming Apparatus Edge Effect Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in uniformly adjusting the exposure amount for pixels, leading to either excessive toner reduction or insufficient suppression of edge effects, due to the edge effect phenomenon that increases toner density at image edges.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a photosensitive member, an exposing unit, an identifying unit, a holding unit for correction information, and a correcting unit that adjusts the exposure amount based on distances between pixels and image edges, using correction information to optimize toner application and reduce edge effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a toner reduction process is performed based on higher density identification, then toner consumption is reduced, but the exposure amount is excessively reduced and toner amount is excessively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different correction amounts to different pixels based on their distance from image edges. Pixels closer to edges receive different correction than pixels farther from edges, allowing localized adjustment that prevents excessive toner reduction while maintaining edge effect suppression. This is achieved by calculating distance from each pixel to the nearest edge and selecting correction information based on this distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the correction parameter (exposure amount correction) based on the distance parameter from image edges. By varying the correction amount according to distance, the system optimizes toner reduction effectiveness while preventing excessive correction that would lead to insufficient exposure. Multiple correction information pieces with different correction amounts are stored and selected based on distance thresholds.
2Manufacturing precision
If a toner reduction process is performed based on lower density identification, then exposure amount reduction is maintained, but the edge effect is not suppressed effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different correction amounts to different pixels based on their distance from image edges. Pixels closer to edges receive different correction than pixels farther from edges, allowing localized adjustment that prevents excessive toner reduction while maintaining edge effect suppression. This is achieved by calculating distance from each pixel to the nearest edge and selecting correction information based on this distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent preemptively applies exposure correction to pixels based on their distance from edges before the actual exposure process. By identifying pixels that will be affected by edge effects and pre-applying appropriate correction amounts, the system prevents edge effect occurrence rather than attempting to correct it afterward. This preliminary correction ensures uniform density without requiring post-processing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If uniform density correction is applied across all pixels, then image uniformity is improved, but edge effects are not properly addressed and toner distribution becomes non-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different correction amounts to different pixels based on their distance from image edges. Pixels closer to edges receive different correction than pixels farther from edges, allowing localized adjustment that prevents excessive toner reduction while maintaining edge effect suppression. This is achieved by calculating distance from each pixel to the nearest edge and selecting correction information based on this distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a distance map that copies the spatial relationship between pixels and edges, then uses this distance information to select appropriate correction amounts. By copying the distance characteristic to each pixel, the system can efficiently apply localized correction without complex real-time calculations during the exposure process.
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
Proper adjustment of exposure amounts for pixels effectively reduces toner consumption while maintaining image quality by addressing the edge effect, ensuring uniform density and minimizing excessive toner adherence at image edges.
Implementation Method 1
an exposing unit configured to expose the photosensitive member with light to form an electrostatic latent image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes an identifying unit configured to identify on basis of image data, a pixel to be corrected from a plurality of pixels of an image to be formed from the image data, a holding unit configured to hold a plurality of correction information pieces describing correction amounts for exposure amounts, and a correcting unit configured to select a correction information piece from the plurality of correction information pieces on basis of distances between one of the pixels to be corrected and a plurality of edges of the image formed from the image data and to correct an exposure amount to be applied by an exposing unit to the pixel to be corrected on basis of the selected correction information piece from an exposure amount corresponding to the image data.