Inkjet Head Module Boundary Detection for Density Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing techniques for inkjet printers face challenges in accurately acquiring density characteristics of recording elements, leading to density unevenness and streaks in printed images due to variations in ink ejection amounts and scanner measurement inaccuracies, especially at boundaries between different head modules.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that corrects measurement values of images formed by recording elements by identifying boundaries between regions corresponding to different head modules and applying filter processing to reduce noise and improve accuracy in density characteristic identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a filter is applied to all measurement values without considering region variations, then the processing is simple, but the correction accuracy declines adjacent to the boundaries between regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement image into multiple regions based on head module boundaries. Each region is processed separately with appropriate filter application, rather than applying a uniform filter across the entire image. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple processing within each region while achieving high accuracy at boundaries by treating each region's characteristics independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different filter processing strategies to different regions of the measurement image. Regions adjacent to boundaries receive different treatment compared to central regions, as each has different density characteristic characteristics. This local quality approach enables the system to optimize measurement precision in boundary areas without complicating the overall processing unnecessarily.
2Productivity
If no filter is applied to measurement values, then the processing is simple and fast, but noise in measurement values reduces accuracy of density characteristic identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies filter processing partially - specifically to regions where it is most needed (boundary areas) rather than uniformly across the entire measurement image. This partial action approach maintains processing speed by limiting filter application to necessary regions while still achieving the noise reduction and accuracy improvement that would result from comprehensive filter processing.
3Device complexity
If measurement values are corrected without considering head module boundaries, then the processing is simple, but density unevenness and streaks persist in the printed image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement image according to head module boundaries and applies correction processing separately to each segment. This segmentation allows the system to address density variations specific to each head module region, thereby eliminating streaks and density unevenness that would result from uniform correction approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality correction by adjusting measurement values differently for different regions based on their specific density characteristics and boundary conditions. This localized correction strategy ensures that density uniformity is achieved in each region while maintaining overall image quality, preventing the persistence of streaks and unevenness.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus corrects a measurement value obtained by measuring a first image formed using a recording element that ejects ink, to identify a density characteristic of the recording element. The apparatus includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a second image obtained by measuring the first image, an identification unit configured to identify a boundary between regions in the second image, each of the regions corresponding to one of a plurality of head modules including the recording element, and a first correction unit configured to correct a measurement value of the second image based on the identified boundary.