Shared Buffer for Parallel Toner Save and Line Width Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining print quality when implementing toner save modes and line width correction processing in parallel configurations, leading to unnatural edge processing and increased circuit size due to the inability to share buffers for edge detection.
Innovation Solution
An image forming apparatus with a shared buffer configuration that allows parallel execution of toner save processing and line width correction processing, suppressing unnatural edge highlighting while reducing circuit size by using a shared buffer for edge detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If toner save processing and line width correction processing are executed in parallel, then processing efficiency is improved, but unnatural edge highlighting occurs and print quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the edge detection function by direction: the toner save processing unit detects edges in a first direction (horizontal/vertical), while the line width correction processing unit detects edges in a second direction (diagonal). This segmentation allows both processes to operate in parallel without interfering with each other's edge detection results, preventing unnatural edge highlighting while maintaining processing efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If sequential configuration is used to avoid unnatural edge processing, then print quality is maintained, but circuit size increases due to inability to share buffers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the buffer resources by having both the toner save processing unit and line width correction processing unit share the same buffer for storing input image data. This is enabled by directing each unit to detect edges in different directions, allowing them to access the same buffer without conflict. This merging reduces circuit size while maintaining parallel processing capability and print quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different edge detection directions to different processing units: the toner save processing unit focuses on horizontal and vertical edges, while the line width correction processing unit focuses on diagonal edges. This division of functional responsibility allows both units to share the same buffer efficiently, reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining processing accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If line width correction processing is applied to all edge regions, then character readability is improved, but toner consumption increases in regions that should be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the edge detection and processing functions by direction. The toner save processing unit detects horizontal and vertical edges and applies toner saving to non-edge regions, while the line width correction processing unit detects diagonal edges and applies line width correction only where needed. This segmentation ensures that toner saving is applied broadly to reduce consumption, while line width correction is applied locally to maintain character readability at diagonal edges.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided that can provide a natural edge processing even if a toner save processing and a line width correction processing are configured in parallel. The image forming apparatus detects an edge neighboring region of an input image in a predetermined direction. The edge neighboring region detected by the neighboring edge detection step is subjected to a line width correction processing. An edge region of the input image in a direction other than the predetermined direction is detected. Then, a toner save processing is performed on a no-edge region that is a region other than the edge region detected by the edge detection step.