Recording Material Discrimination via Pixel Density Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image formation apparatuses face challenges in accurately and efficiently discriminating the type of recording material, leading to delayed printing and reduced continuous printing speed due to light quantity unevenness and insufficient discrimination of materials with varying surface conditions.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that integrates density difference values between pixels to discriminate recording materials, reducing the influence of light quantity unevenness and improving accuracy without requiring shading correction, thereby shortening the discrimination time and enhancing printing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple images are picked up while moving the recording material to measure light quantity unevenness, then the measurement precision of surface smoothness is improved, but the time required for discrimination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary information (surface smoothness characteristics) from a single image without performing full shading correction. By using the standard deviation of pixel density values as a simplified metric, the system obtains sufficient discrimination data without the time-consuming process of capturing multiple images and performing complete light unevenness correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the essential calculation (standard deviation of density values) needed for discrimination rather than the complete shading correction process. This partial processing approach provides sufficient accuracy for material discrimination while significantly reducing processing time compared to full correction methods.
2Device complexity
If the peak-to-peak value is used to measure surface smoothness, then the discrimination process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to light quantity unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from peak-to-peak density difference to the standard deviation of pixel density values. This parameter change makes the measurement less sensitive to light quantity unevenness while maintaining computational simplicity, thus improving measurement precision without significantly increasing process complexity.
3Measurement precision
If shading correction is performed to remove light quantity unevenness, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential characteristic (standard deviation of density values) needed for discrimination without performing the complete shading correction process. This extraction approach achieves sufficient measurement precision while avoiding the complexity and time requirements of full correction algorithms.
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
The solution allows for faster and more accurate discrimination of recording materials, improving printing speed and quality by integrating pixel density differences, which reduces the impact of light unevenness and enhances the dynamic range of measured data.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor component having a plurality of image pickup elements, the sensor component picking up an image of the recording material surface by receiving light reflecting off the recording material with the image pickup elements
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus for discriminating the type of recording material. The apparatus comprises a component irradiating a piece of recording material with light, a sensor picking up an image of the recording material surface by receiving light reflecting off the recording material, a component converting the picked-up image into image data having a plurality of pixels arranged in a predetermined direction and a calculation component integrating the respective density difference values between a first pixel and a second pixel of the plurality of pixels. The apparatus discriminates the type of recording material based on the integrated value of the density values calculated by the calculation component. Furthermore, the present invention provides an apparatus for setting image formation requirements of an image formation component based on the integrated value of the respective density difference values between a first pixel and a second pixel of pixels.