LED Array Image Processing Apparatus for Streak Noise Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with image quality deterioration due to uneven light emitting efficiency of LEDs, leading to streak noise and registration deviations when trying to uniformize light emission, either speeding up deterioration or causing image position deviations.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that determines a referential position of a threshold matrix based on the usage situation of each LED, allowing for quantization of input image data to suppress LED deterioration without shifting the image formed position on the recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the lighting amount of a deteriorated light emitting element is increased to uniformize light quantity variation, then streak noise is suppressed, but the deterioration of the light emitting element is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of threshold matrix referential position dynamically based on accumulated light emission amounts of each light emitting element. By adjusting which threshold matrix is used for quantization based on usage history, the system redistributes the imaging load among light emitting elements, preventing any single element from being overused while maintaining uniform image quality without accelerating deterioration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If input image data is shifted in the arrangement direction of light emitting elements to uniformize usage amount, then light emission variation is suppressed, but the image formed position on recording medium is deviated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically shifting image data, the patent changes the parameter of threshold matrix selection based on light emitting element usage. The accumulated light emission amounts are used to determine which threshold matrix to apply, effectively redistributing the imaging burden among different light emitting elements without altering the spatial relationship between image data and light emitting elements, thus maintaining position accuracy while uniformizing usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accumulates light emission amounts for each light emitting element and uses this feedback information to dynamically select appropriate threshold matrices. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adaptively balance the usage of light emitting elements based on their actual performance and wear, preventing any single element from being overused while maintaining image quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If the same correction is performed for each color to maintain registration, then registration is maintained, but color-specific light emitting element deterioration cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different threshold matrices to different color channels based on the specific usage characteristics of light emitting elements for each color. Each color's image data is quantized using a threshold matrix selected according to the accumulated light emission amounts of that color's light emitting elements, allowing independent optimization and usage balancing for each color channel while maintaining proper registration.
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus configured to form an image on a recording medium using a light emitting unit including a plurality of light emitting elements includes a determination unit configured to determine a referential position of a threshold matrix corresponding to input image data based on a usage situation of each of the plurality of light emitting elements, for each processing target block, and a quantization unit configured to compare the threshold matrix determined by the determination unit with the input image data to quantize the input image data.