Light Modulator Pixel Shift Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording apparatuses are limited in shifting the transition position of the output light amount beyond the distance corresponding to one pixel, due to constraints in clock selection and driving voltage input, which affects image recording accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a light modulator with a holding part, moving mechanism, and control system that adjusts pixel values and irradiation positions to correct displacement, using tables to calculate and modify shift amounts for precise light modulation, allowing transition position shifts exceeding one pixel distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If one clock is selected from a group of clocks sequentially shifted by a small time period within a time period corresponding to one pixel, then the light modulator element can be controlled with driving voltage according to pixel value, but the transition position cannot be shifted in excess of the time period corresponding to one pixel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second dimension of control by allowing the light modulator element to transition multiple times within a single clock period. Instead of being limited to one transition per pixel time period, the system enables multiple transitions by utilizing the temporal resolution within each clock cycle, thereby achieving finer position adjustment precision without proportionally increasing clock selection complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the light modulator element's transition timing dynamic by allowing variable numbers of transitions within each clock period based on the pixel value changes. The control system dynamically adjusts the transition timing and number of transitions according to the specific imaging requirements and pixel value sequences, rather than using a fixed one-time transition per clock period
2Length of moving object
If the light modulator element transitions only once per pixel time period, then the control is simple, but the transition position cannot be adjusted beyond one pixel distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by allowing multiple transitions within a single clock period. The light modulator element can transition multiple times in succession during one pixel time period, creating a periodic switching pattern that enables the transition position to be adjusted beyond the traditional one-pixel limit while maintaining manageable control through structured periodic transitions
3Measurement precision
If multiple transitions are allowed within one clock period, then the transition position can be shifted beyond one pixel distance, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-planning the multiple transitions within each clock period based on the pixel value sequence. The control system determines in advance how many transitions are needed and their timing within each clock period, allowing the light modulator element to execute multiple transitions systematically without overwhelming real-time control complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate image recording by shifting the transition position beyond the one-pixel distance, improving recording precision and accuracy by synchronizing light modulation with the moving mechanism and pixel value adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
a light modulator element of diffraction grating type which is capable of changing the depth of grating by alternately forming fixed ribbons and moving ribbons on a substrate with a semiconductor device manufacturing technique and sagging the moving ribbons relatively to the fixed ribbons
Implementation Method 2
the intensities of normally reflected light and diffracted light are changed by changing the depth of grooves on the diffraction grating
Implementation Method 3
a moving mechanism for moving the holding part relatively to the light modulator to move an irradiation position on a recording medium continuously in a scan direction corresponding to the line direction
Data Source
AI summary
In an image recording apparatus, a shift amount for shifting a transition position of an output light amount from a light modulator element is obtained with respect to each pixel value-change point in a pixel line in order to correct displacement of writing. In a case where the shift amount excesses a width corresponding to one pixel on a substrate, a pixel value in the pixel line is altered so that the pixel value-change point moves by the number of pixels of an integer part of a value obtained by dividing the shift amount by the width, and the shift amount corresponding to the pixel value-change point is modified to a value equivalent to a decimal part. It is therefore possible to shift the transition position of the output light amount in excess of the distance corresponding to one pixel in recording an image, to record the image with accuracy.