Image Processing Apparatus Sharpness Recovery Parameter Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming technologies face challenges in maintaining image sharpness due to misalignment, ink spread, and optical blur, requiring multiple sharpness recovery filters for various print conditions, which is impractical and fails to account for unknown print media and illumination positions.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that determines degradation characteristics and selects appropriate recovery processing parameters based on obtained information, allowing for common recovery processing parameters to be used for output conditions with similar degradation characteristics in the low frequency range, reducing the need for multiple recovery filters and considering light source conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sharpness recovery filters are prepared for all combinations of output conditions (print medium, ink type, pass count, carriage speed, scanning direction, halftone processing), then sharpness recovery accuracy is improved, but device complexity and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a unified sharpness recovery filter that can be universally applied across different output conditions by focusing on low-frequency degradation characteristics. Instead of maintaining separate filters for each combination of print medium, ink type, pass count, carriage speed, scanning direction, and halftone processing, a single filter design handles multiple conditions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from condition-specific filters to a parameter-based solution that adapts to different conditions. By focusing on low-frequency range characteristics and using determination information about degradation characteristics, the system selects appropriate filter parameters dynamically rather than maintaining separate filters for each condition combination.
2Measurement precision
If separate sharpness recovery filters are maintained for different print media and output conditions, then recovery precision is improved, but ease of operation and adaptability to unknown media deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-characterization by automatically determining the sharpness degradation characteristics of unknown print media through measurement. The sharpness degradation characteristic determination unit measures actual degradation on the specific print medium being used, eliminating the need for pre-registration of media types. This allows the system to adapt to unknown media independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a fixed filter set to a dynamic parameter selection approach. By determining degradation characteristics in real-time and selecting filter parameters based on measured low-frequency characteristics, the system adapts to unknown print media and viewing conditions without requiring pre-configured filters for every possible condition.
3Measurement precision
If sharpness recovery processing is performed for all frequency ranges, then overall sharpness is improved, but loss of energy and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sharpness recovery processing selectively to the low-frequency range where degradation is most visually significant, rather than uniformly processing all frequency ranges. This localized approach focuses computational resources on the frequency band that matters most for perceived image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs partial sharpness recovery by concentrating processing on the low-frequency range rather than attempting to recover all frequency components. This partial action approach achieves sufficient visual improvement without the excessive processing required for full-spectrum recovery.
Data Source
AI summary
Determination information is obtained to determine a degradation characteristic of sharpness of an image formed by an image forming apparatus. One of a plurality of recovery processing parameters used to recover sharpness of an image is selected based on the determination information, and characteristics of the plurality of recovery processing parameters are different from each other. Recovery processing of sharpness is performed on image data using the selected recovery processing parameter. When the degradation characteristics of sharpness are visually and substantially the same, the same recovery processing parameter is selected.