Image Processing Apparatus Double-Side Print Jaggy Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional jaggy correction methods for inkjet recording systems fail to produce high-quality print images during double-side printing, as they either complicate the printing process or result in reduced character visibility due to decreased resolution and density, leading to noticeable step-like irregularities and fringed characters.

Innovation Solution

An image processing apparatus that performs halftone processing and adds correction dots or pixels based on position, color, and size to reduce step-like irregularities along character outlines, ensuring the density is adjusted to prevent show-through while maintaining high print quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If conventional jaggy correction methods are applied to double-side printing, then character outline smoothness is improved, but character visibility and print quality deteriorate due to reduced density and resolution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacter outline smoothnessVSAvoidprint quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different processing to different parts of the character: the character body uses reduced density for double-side printing to prevent show-through, while the outline portions maintain higher density through correction dot addition to preserve visibility and quality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between outline smoothness and overall print quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs jaggy correction by adding correction dots to outline portions before the final printing process. This preliminary action ensures that the outline smoothness is established in advance, allowing the subsequent printing to maintain both the corrected outline shape and appropriate density levels for double-side printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If resolution is decreased to prevent show-through in double-side printing, then show-through is reduced, but jaggy visibility increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshow-throughVSAvoidjaggy visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces density for the character body to prevent show-through through the paper, while simultaneously adding correction dots to outline portions to compensate for jaggy visibility. This local quality differentiation allows the system to address show-through and jaggy visibility as separate issues with different solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of reduced density (which causes jaggy visibility) into a benefit by selectively adding correction dots only to outline portions. The correction dots compensate for the reduced overall density, transforming the potential harm of low resolution into an opportunity for targeted outline enhancement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Shape

If correction dots are added to outline portions, then jaggy correction is achieved, but character thickness and readability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejaggy correctionVSAvoidcharacter readability
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds correction dots only to the outline portions of characters while leaving the character body unchanged. This local application ensures that jaggy correction is achieved at the boundaries without affecting the overall character thickness or internal density, thereby preserving readability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the dot size parameter for correction dots, using smaller dots than the main character body. This parameter adjustment allows the correction dots to fill in jaggy gaps without significantly increasing character thickness or altering the overall visual weight of the character, thus maintaining readability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2178705B1Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image processing method
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP2178705B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2178705B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2178705B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A disclosed image processing apparatus performs an image processing operation to execute double-side printing on both sides of an image forming medium. The image processing apparatus forms a dot font including a dot pattern of a character in a character image that has undergone a halftone process using a predetermined coefficient for mitigating show-through when the double-side printing is performed; forms a correction dot for making a correction to reduce step- like irregularities along an outline portion of the character in the character image, which correction dot is formed based on an arrangement position, a color, and a dot size of the correction dot for reproducing a gradation that has undergone the halftone process using said predetermined coefficient; and combines the dot font and the correction dot.