Image Processing Apparatus Toner Control Gradation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing systems face challenges in maintaining image quality, particularly in gradation and total toner amount control, when total toner amount control is performed prior to gradation correction, leading to potential degradation of output image quality.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus and method that includes a first gradation correction unit, a total toner amount control unit, and a second gradation correction unit, where the total toner amount control is performed after initial gradation correction, and additional reverse conversion units to ensure accurate toner amount control without degrading image gradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If total toner amount control is performed prior to gradation correction, then total toner amount can be controlled within limits, but image gradation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing gradation correction before total toner amount control. The gradation correction unit corrects image data in advance to maintain gradation quality, and then the total toner amount control unit suppresses the toner amount based on the corrected data, ensuring both quality and quantity control are achieved in the proper sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional processing sequence by performing gradation correction before total toner amount control instead of the traditional approach. This reversal allows the system to preserve gradation information first, then apply toner suppression, thereby maintaining image quality while still controlling total toner usage within acceptable limits
2Manufacturing precision
If total toner amount control is performed after gradation correction, then image gradation quality is maintained, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gradation correction and total toner amount control functions into a unified image processing pipeline. The gradation correction unit and total toner amount control unit work sequentially as integrated components, sharing common data structures and processing logic, which reduces overall system complexity despite the multi-step process
Solution Approach 2:
The image processing apparatus is designed with multi-functional units that can perform multiple operations. The gradation correction unit and total toner amount control unit are part of a universal image processing system that handles various image data types and can adapt to different processing requirements, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple gradation correction units are used, then image quality is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gradation correction process into multiple specialized units: a first gradation correction unit for initial correction and a second gradation correction unit for final adjustment. Each unit handles specific aspects of gradation correction, allowing parallel processing optimization and reducing overall processing time while maintaining high image quality through specialized processing at each stage
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus for converting inputted image data to image data in accordance with characteristics of an image forming unit, including: a first gradation correction unit which performs a gradation correction processing of the inputted image data in accordance with the characteristics of the image forming unit; a total toner amount control unit which performs a total toner amount control processing of the image data which has undergone at least the gradation correction processing executed by the first gradation correction unit; and a second gradation correction unit which performs a gradation correction processing in accordance with the characteristics of the image forming unit with respect to the image data which has undergone at least the total toner amount control processing executed by the total toner amount control unit.