Image Forming Apparatus Thin Line Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming technologies face challenges in finely adjusting the position and density of thin lines due to overlapping exposure areas of adjacent pixels, making it difficult to recognize and correct thin lines in image data.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an image forming unit that identifies specific pixels and adjusts their density values using screen processing, allowing for precise control of thin line width and reduction of jaggy artifacts by considering the distance from the thin line edge pixel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If density values of adjacent pixels are corrected to thicken white thin lines, then visibility of thin lines is improved, but precise adjustment of position and density of contour portions becomes difficult due to overlapping exposure areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the correction process by identifying specific pixel types (thin line pixels, contour pixels, interior pixels) and applying different correction strategies to each segment. This allows precise control over different regions of the thin line structure simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different correction amounts are applied to different pixel types based on their local characteristics. Contour pixels receive corrections optimized for position accuracy, while interior pixels receive corrections optimized for density control, achieving local optimization throughout the image.
2Ease of operation
If only density value of a single adjacent pixel is corrected, then processing simplicity is maintained, but fine adjustment of contour position and density is insufficient due to exposure overlap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides adjacent pixels into distinct functional segments (contour pixels and interior pixels) with different correction rules, maintaining processing simplicity through automated classification while achieving precise control through differentiated correction strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies correction to multiple pixels (both contour and interior pixels) rather than just a single pixel, using partial corrections on contour pixels for position control and additional corrections on interior pixels for density control, achieving superior results without excessive complexity.
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
The solution effectively reduces jaggy artifacts and improves the visibility of thin lines by controlling the line width while maintaining precise positioning and density adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
an image forming unit configured to form an electrostatic latent image by exposing a charged photosensitive member with light
Implementation Method 2
form an electrostatic latent image by exposing a charged photosensitive member with light
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus which forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing a charged photosensitive member with light. The apparatus identifies a pixel which has density value less than a threshold value and is sandwiched in a predetermined direction between two pixels having density values greater than or equal to the threshold value in image data, generates screen image data by screen processing on the image data, and outputs, for each of one pixel of the two pixels sandwiching the identified pixel and a pixel adjacent to the one pixel in the predetermined direction, an adjusted density value the screen image data.