Image Forming Apparatus Quasi-Resolution Smoothing Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-resolution image forming apparatuses face increased processing time and data latency due to large data volumes after rasterizing, which is exacerbated by the need for high-resolution conversion, leading to inefficiencies in print operations.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a smoothing process that adjusts pixel densities based on adjacent pixels in both scanning directions, using quasi-resolution enhancement to determine exposure controls, thereby optimizing pixel density changes and reducing processing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution rasterizing process is performed, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases and data latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-resolution rasterizing process into two stages: first performing low-resolution rasterizing (600 dpi), then applying screen process and quasi-resolution enhancement to achieve the final high-resolution output (1200 dpi). This segmentation allows the system to maintain image quality while reducing the computational burden and processing time associated with direct high-resolution rasterizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies screen process and quasi-resolution enhancement as preliminary actions before final high-resolution conversion. By pre-processing the low-resolution image data with these techniques, the system prepares the data in a way that reduces the complexity of subsequent high-resolution conversion, thereby decreasing overall processing time while maintaining quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution rasterizing process is performed, then image quality is improved, but data volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data processing into stages: generating low-resolution data first (600 dpi), then applying screen process and quasi-resolution enhancement. This segmentation ensures that the system only generates and processes the minimum necessary data volume at each stage, avoiding the exponential data volume increase that would result from direct high-resolution rasterizing, while still achieving high-quality output.
3Manufacturing precision
If pattern matching is used for smoothing, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the pattern matching step from the processing pipeline. Instead of using complex pattern matching algorithms for smoothing and quasi-resolution enhancement, the system employs simplified density-based calculations that compare only adjacent pixels. This extraction of the pattern matching function reduces device complexity while maintaining acceptable image quality through the screen process and quasi-resolution enhancement.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an image forming apparatus comprising a smoothing process part (22) that, based on a density of a peripheral pixel adjoining a target pixel on edge, when a density change between both sides of the target pixel in a sub scanning direction is larger than a density change between both sides of the target pixel in a main scanning direction, mutually changes a density of a plurality of pixels after conversion of pseudo high resolution in the sub scanning direction corresponding to the target pixel and, when said density change is not larger than a density change between both sides of the target pixel in the main scanning direction, sets same density for the density of the plurality of pixels after conversion of pseudo high resolution in the sub scanning direction corresponding to the target pixel; and an exposure controlling part (23).