Printer Character Edge Smoothing with Broken-Line Preprocessing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printers face issues with jagged edges (jaggies) in binarized images, particularly when converting multivalued images to two gray scales, which can make characters appear edged or chipped.
Innovation Solution
A printer system that includes a controller to detect characters, add broken lines along their outlines, generate multivalued images with these lines, convert to two gray scales, and then print, thereby smoothing edges and preventing jagged appearances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a multivalued image is converted into two gray scales by dither processing or error diffusion processing to form a binarized image, then the image can be printed with clear contrast, but the ratio of portions without dots increases and large chipping occurs at edges causing jaggy appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing edge enhancement processing on the binarized image before printing. The edge enhancement process identifies edge portions and applies specific processing to smooth them out in advance, preventing the jaggy appearance that would otherwise occur during printing. This proactive approach addresses the chipping issue before it manifests in the final printed output.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If edge enhancement processing is performed on a character in a binarized image to make edges appear smoothly, then jaggy is less likely to occur, but the character may appear as being edged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by performing edge enhancement processing selectively only on edge portions of characters rather than uniformly across the entire character. The processing identifies which pixels constitute edges and applies smoothing only to those specific locations, leaving the interior and non-edge areas unchanged. This localized approach smooths jagged edges while preserving the overall character definition and avoiding the edged appearance that would result from uniform processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A printer includes a printing device and a controller. The controller of the printer acquires image data and detects character data indicating a character from the acquired image data. Further, the controller adds a broken line along an outline of the character indicated by the detected character data. The controller generates a multivalued image with multiple values based on an image including the character with the broken line added, converts the generated multivalued image into two gray scales, and generates a binarized image. Further, the controller causes the printing device to perform printing based on the generated binarized image.