Image Processing Apparatus Toner Control via Low-Resolution Density Calculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed image forming systems face challenges in accurately controlling toner replenishment and other image forming processes due to rapid changes in image density, leading to unexpected color shifts and requiring large, costly buffer memories to manage delays in toner supply control.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that generates print image data and calculates image density using a lower resolution rasterizing process, allowing for earlier supply of image density information to the printing device, thereby reducing the need for large buffer memories and minimizing delays in toner replenishment control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a buffer memory with large capacity is used to hold print image data of tens to hundreds of pages, then the image density information can be acquired in advance for high-speed printing control, but the memory cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information (image density) from the complete print image data. Instead of buffering entire high-resolution pages, the system calculates and buffers only the average image density values, which are sufficient for toner replenishment control decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by not buffering image data to get density information, but rather calculating density information directly from incoming data without full buffering. This reverses the traditional workflow of storing then analyzing, instead analyzing as data arrives.
2Reliability
If toner supply amount is increased unexpectedly to match rapid increase in image density, then sufficient toner is available for high density pages, but fresh toner suddenly increases causing unexpected color shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of image density for upcoming pages before they are fully processed. By anticipating future density requirements and gradually adjusting toner supply, the system prevents sudden toner changes that would cause color shifts while ensuring sufficient toner availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors calculated image density values and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust toner replenishment rates. This closed-loop control ensures toner supply matches actual printing needs while maintaining color consistency through gradual adjustments rather than sudden changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image processing apparatus including a print image generation section that generates print image data to be supplied to a printing device by executing a rasterizing process with a resolution for printing on print data, and an image density calculation section that executes the rasterizing process on the print data with a resolution lower than the resolution for printing and calculates image density information used in control of an image forming process in the printing device based on raster image data which is generated through the rasterizing process and has a resolution lower than the resolution for printing, wherein a difference in a processing speed between the print image generation section and the image density calculation section causes the image density information of a page prior to a page of the print image data being printed by the printing device to be supplied to the printing device.