Image Forming Apparatus Using Multi-Density Black Coloring Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming technologies face challenges in achieving optimal granularity across the entire range of gradation using dark and light coloring materials, as the density of light coloring materials often results in degraded image quality due to saturation issues and discontinuous gradation.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus and method utilizing at least three types of black coloring materials with varying transparency and density, where a low-transparency material is used at the bottom layer and higher-transparency, higher-density materials are used as the image density increases, allowing for improved granularity across the entire range of gradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the density of light coloring material is reduced to improve granularity in highlight, then granularity in highlight is improved, but the range of gradation is narrowed and difference of density between dark and light coloring materials is increased, deteriorating granularity in shadow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the black coloring material into multiple types with different density characteristics (first black coloring material with lower density, second black coloring material with higher density). This segmentation allows each material to be optimized for specific gradation ranges, resolving the contradiction between granularity in highlight and range of gradation overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different black coloring materials to different regions of the image based on their density characteristics. The first black coloring material is used for highlight regions where granularity is critical, while the second black coloring material is used for shadow regions where density range is important. This local quality approach optimizes each region independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the density of light coloring material is increased to increase range of gradation, then range of gradation is increased, but granularity in highlight is deteriorated and difference of density between dark and light coloring materials is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the black coloring materials into distinct types with different density properties. The first black coloring material has lower density optimized for highlight regions, while the second has higher density for shadow regions. This segmentation prevents the need to increase overall light coloring material density, thereby preserving highlight granularity while achieving full gradation range.
Solution Approach 2:
Different black coloring materials are selectively applied to different image regions according to their optimal characteristics. This local quality approach ensures that highlight regions receive the low-density material for fine granularity, while shadow regions receive the high-density material for extended gradation range.
3Manufacturing precision
If the density of light coloring material is set to be close to output image density to achieve good granularity, then granularity is improved, but saturation occurs at early stages and gradation becomes discontinuous at the beginning of black coloring agent application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the black coloring materials into a first type with lower density and a second type with higher density. The first black coloring material is applied first to establish continuous gradation from the highlight region, preventing saturation and discontinuity. The second black coloring material is then applied to extend the gradation range in shadow regions, achieving both continuous gradation and fine granularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The first black coloring material with lower density is applied preliminarily to establish the base layer of continuous gradation. This preliminary action prevents saturation and ensures continuous gradation at the beginning of the black coloring agent application, before the second black coloring material is applied to enhance the shadow regions.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed image forming apparatus includes: an input unit to input image data; a conversion unit to convert the image data to conversion data on a plurality of colors for forming an image on a recording medium; and an image forming unit to form an image of the conversion data on a recording medium using a plurality of colors of coloring materials. The image is formed on the recording medium by the image forming unit using at least three types of black coloring materials having transparency and density different to one another in accordance with the conversion data on a black color upon conversion to the conversion data on plural colors.