Nozzle Head Pixel Rearrangement for Density Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face issues with variation in image density due to nozzle head inclination, leading to potential image failures, and existing solutions increase the size and cost of the nozzle head.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a nozzle head that includes multiple nozzle rows arranged in a specific configuration, a moving mechanism, an image acquirer, a quantization processor, a grouping processor, and a rearrangement processor to adjust pixel values and group adjacent pixels, ensuring that initial positions of groups in the second direction are different by at least one pixel, thereby maintaining consistent image density without increasing the nozzle head's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a sub nozzle row is added to counteract nozzle head inclination, then image density variation is reduced, but the nozzle head size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by rearranging pixel data before image formation to compensate for the expected density variation caused by nozzle head inclination. The pixel values are strategically redistributed in the main nozzle row to pre-correct the unevenness that would otherwise occur, eliminating the need for additional sub nozzles while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter distribution of pixel values within the main nozzle row by applying a rearrangement process. This reassigns pixel densities to different positions based on the anticipated inclination effect, transforming the uniform pixel distribution into a compensated distribution that accounts for the nozzle head's angular deviation
2Manufacturing precision
If a sub nozzle row is added to counteract nozzle head inclination, then image density variation is reduced, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a virtual copy of the compensation function through data processing rather than physical hardware duplication. Instead of manufacturing additional sub nozzles to physically compensate for inclination, the system creates a digital compensation pattern by rearranging pixel assignments, achieving the same corrective effect at lower cost
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes a mechanical solution (adding physical sub nozzles) with a data processing solution (pixel value rearrangement). The compensation for nozzle head inclination is achieved through algorithmic manipulation of image data rather than through additional mechanical components, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes: a nozzle head in which nozzles that ejects ink is arranged in a first direction; a moving mechanism that moves a recording medium relative to the nozzle head; an image acquirer that acquires image data; a quantization processor that quantizes density of pixels forming an image based on the image data; a grouping processor that groups adjacent pixel positions into one group in the quantized data; and a rearrangement processor that rearranges a quantized pixel value at each pixel position in the group that is grouped, wherein the grouping processor groups such that a direction intersecting the first direction is set to a second direction, arrangement of groups in the first direction is set to a row, rows is arranged in the second direction, and a row in which an initial position of the row is different at least by one pixel is included.