Image Processing Apparatus Fine Line Reproducibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving high fine line reproducibility due to surface unevenness of recording media, as existing techniques do not adequately consider the frequency characteristics of the paper, leading to defects in toner transfer and fixing processes.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that includes an input unit for image data, an acquisition unit to measure the frequency characteristic of the recording medium's surface unevenness, and a correction unit to adjust the image data accordingly, enabling high fine line reproducibility by performing image processing based on the paper's frequency characteristic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If image processing is performed without considering frequency characteristic of the recording medium, then the processing is simple and fast, but fine line reproducibility deteriorates due to surface unevenness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefine line reproducibilityVSAvoidimage processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency characteristic of the recording medium is measured in advance before image formation. Based on this pre-acquired information, image processing parameters are predetermined and stored in advance. When actual image formation occurs, the pre-stored parameters are simply retrieved and applied, avoiding complex real-time calculations while ensuring high fine line reproducibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Image processing parameters such as exposure intensity, developing bias, or halftone processing characteristics are changed according to the measured frequency characteristic of the recording medium. By adjusting these parameters to match the specific frequency characteristics of different media, the system achieves optimal fine line reproduction without requiring complex processing algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If general surface unevenness control is applied without considering frequency characteristic, then processing is simpler, but appropriate fine line processing is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefine line qualityVSAvoidsurface unevenness measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The surface unevenness measurement is segmented into different frequency components. Instead of measuring overall surface unevenness as a single value, the system measures and analyzes the frequency characteristics (low frequency, high frequency components) separately. This segmentation allows the system to identify specific frequency-related issues and apply targeted image processing corrections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The physical measurement of surface unevenness is replaced by an optical measurement system that detects frequency characteristics through optical means. The measurement unit uses optical methods to analyze the frequency spectrum of surface unevenness, substituting complex mechanical measurement systems with a more precise and easier-to-implement optical approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If correction is made for surface unevenness without considering frequency characteristic, then some transfer defects are reduced, but fine line reproducibility remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransfer defect reductionVSAvoidfine line reproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different correction strategies are applied to different frequency components of surface unevenness. The system identifies whether low frequency, high frequency, or both types of surface unevenness are present, and applies locally appropriate correction methods for each frequency band. This localized quality control ensures that fine line reproduction is optimized by addressing the specific frequency-related issues affecting the fine lines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9152895B2Image processing apparatus, method thereof, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 CANON KK

AI summary

An image processing apparatus that outputs, in the recording of a fine line image, an image having high fine line reproducibility by performing image processing according to a paper frequency characteristic. This image processing apparatus includes an input unit configured to input image data representing an image to be formed on a recording medium, an acquisition unit configured to acquire a frequency characteristic of surface unevenness of the recording medium, and a correction unit configured to correct the image data based on the frequency characteristic acquired by the acquisition unit.