Inkjet Image Processing Correcting Streaks Without Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image processing technologies for inkjet recording devices face challenges in correcting streaks caused by abnormal nozzles without causing artifacts or increasing costs, particularly in maintaining pattern continuity and reducing graininess during high-speed printing.
Innovation Solution
An image processing method that masks abnormal recording elements, corrects the threshold matrix to maintain pattern continuity, and performs quantization processing using the corrected matrix to exclude pixels formed by abnormal nozzles, thereby preventing artifacts and graininess.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If mask processing is applied to abnormal recording elements, then streak visibility is reduced, but pattern continuity of the threshold matrix deteriorates causing artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an error diffusion process as an intermediary mechanism between mask processing and final image output. The error diffusion compensates for the pattern discontinuities caused by masking abnormal nozzles, thereby maintaining overall image quality and preventing visible artifacts while still suppressing streaks from defective nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts quantization parameters and threshold values based on the presence of abnormal recording elements. By changing these parameters locally around masked nozzles, the system maintains pattern continuity and prevents artifacts while still achieving streak suppression through mask processing.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated threshold matrices are prepared for non-ejection positions, then graininess is suppressed, but memory capacity and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single threshold matrix universal by making it adaptive to different situations. Through error diffusion and dynamic parameter adjustment, the same threshold matrix can handle both normal and abnormal nozzle conditions, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated matrices while maintaining graininess suppression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptation to the static threshold matrix. The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters and applies error diffusion based on real-time nozzle status, allowing a single matrix to effectively handle various scenarios including non-ejection positions without requiring pre-prepared dedicated matrices for each case.
3Manufacturing precision
If threshold replacement is performed to improve granule, then graininess is reduced, but processing time increases reducing printing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial threshold adjustment rather than complete threshold replacement. By selectively modifying only the necessary threshold values and using error diffusion to compensate, the system achieves granule improvement without the computational overhead of full threshold matrix replacement, thereby maintaining high printing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous processing by integrating error diffusion and parameter adjustment into the main processing flow without requiring separate threshold replacement steps. This maintains the continuous action of high-speed printing while still achieving granule quality improvement through incremental adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing method according to one mode of the present invention stores a threshold matrix (12) for quantization processing of input image data (20), applies mask processing to an abnormal recording element based on abnormal recording element information (10), corrects a correspondence relationship between a recording element and a threshold such that processing of a pixel to be formed by the abnormal recording element subjected to mask processing is excluded and the continuity of a pattern of the threshold matrix is maintained, and performs quantization processing using a corrected threshold matrix (18).