Image Processing Apparatus Spot Diameter Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming systems face challenges in achieving uniform spot diameters on a photoreceptor surface due to miniaturization and cost reduction designs, leading to inplane uneven density and tone characteristic variations, which result in correction residuals and increased complexity in density correction.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that corrects pixel data based on tone correction properties corresponding to varying spot diameters, generating and blending correction data to minimize tone correction residuals and achieve uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If lens characteristics are simplified for miniaturization or cost reduction, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but spot diameter uniformity deteriorates causing inplane uneven density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by creating multiple tone correction tables corresponding to different spot diameter conditions. Instead of modifying the optical system, the invention changes the correction parameters to adapt to varying spot diameters, thereby compensating for non-uniformity caused by simplified lens designs while maintaining device complexity reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically selecting and blending tone correction data from multiple correction tables based on actual spot diameter measurements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to adjust to varying spot diameter conditions in real-time, compensating for manufacturing variations without requiring complex fixed optical designs.
2Measurement precision
If the number of two-dimensional tables for density correction is increased to suppress inplane uneven density, then correction precision is improved, but device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter organization by grouping tone correction data into multiple tables based on spot diameter conditions rather than creating exhaustive correction tables for every possible position and tone combination. This parameter-based organization reduces the total number of tables needed while maintaining correction precision through selective blending.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only the necessary number of tone correction tables (corresponding to different spot diameter conditions) rather than creating comprehensive correction tables for all possible scenarios. The blending process combines data from these partial tables to achieve complete correction coverage.
3Device complexity
If representative points are used to divide the main scanning direction, then correction tables are reduced, but correction residuals increase at other points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically blending tone correction data from multiple tables based on actual spot diameter measurements at each position. This dynamic blending ensures that correction residuals are minimized at all positions, not just at representative points, while keeping the number of correction tables manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from using fixed representative points to using spot diameter-based parameter selection. By organizing correction tables according to spot diameter conditions and blending them based on measured spot diameters, the system achieves consistent correction quality across all positions without requiring excessive correction tables.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention performs inplane uneven density correction that suppresses a number of tone correction properties and has few correction residuals. Accordingly, a correction unit corrects pixel data D based on a plurality of tone correction properties respectively corresponding to a plurality of spot diameters of a light to expose on a surface of a photoreceptor, and to generate a plurality of pieces of correction data D1 and D2. A setting unit sets a ratio Rb based on a spot diameter on the photoreceptor of a pixel corresponding to the pixel data D. A blending unit generates tone correction data Dc by blending the plurality of pieces of correction data D1 and D2 based on the ratio Rb.