US6707579B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image formation apparatus having unit for correcting irregularities in density of image data after binarization
Assignee: Olympus Corp
•
Filing: 1999-08-09
•
Granted: 2004-03-16
•
Expires: 2019-08-09
Abstract
Abstract An image formation apparatus is equipped with a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for forming an image on a recording medium. A binarized image data storage unit stores binarized image data for on-off control of the recording elements of the recording head. A correction data storage unit stores density irregularity correction data for correcting irregularities in density which occur when the recording elements of the recording head are respectively driven to form the image for each of the recording elements. A density irregularity correction unit corrects, prior to the image formation, the binarized image data stored in the binarized image data storage unit on the basis of the density irregularity correction data stored in the correction data storage unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhiro Komiya
- 👤 Kenro Osawa
- 👤 Ken Ioka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/10; G06K15/102
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for recording an image on a recording medium; binarized image data storage unit for storing binarized image data for on-off control of the recording elements of the recording head; correction data storage unit for storing density irregularity correction data for correcting irregularities in density which occur when the recording elements of the recording head are respectively driven to form the image, the density irregularity correction data being stored in correspondence with each of the recording elements; and density irregularity correction unit for, prior to the image formation, correcting the binarized image data stored in the binarized image data storage unit on the basis of the density irregularity correction data stored in the correction data storage unit; wherein the density irregularity correction unit reads binarized image data in a predetermined block from the binarized image data storage unit as dot data, calculates the number of dot data in the predetermined block that indicates the ON drive of each recording element, and changes the calculated value of dot data on the basis of the density irregularity correction data read from the correction data storage unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for recording an image on a recording medium; binarized image data storage unit for storing binarized image data for on-off control of the recording elements of the recording head; correction data storage unit for storing density irregularity correction data for correcting irregularities in density which occur when the recording elements of the recording head are respectively driven to form the image, the density irregularity correction data being stored in correspondence with each of the recording elements; and density irregularity correction unit for, prior to the image formation, correcting the binarized image data stored in the binarized image data storage unit on the basis of the density irregularity correction data stored in the correction data storage unit; wherein the density irregularity correction unit reads binarized image data in a predetermined block from the binarized image data storage unit as dot data, calculates the number of dot data in the predetermined block that indicates the ON drive of each recording element, and changes the calculated value of dot data on the basis of the density irregularity correction data read from the correction data storage unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the size of the predetermined block can be changed according to the structure of input binarized image data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the density irregularity correction unit calculates a correction density for binarized image data in a subsequent block, taking into consideration an input density determined from the calculated value of the dot data, and an error obtained when a correction density for binarized density is calculated in a given block based on a target density.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image formation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the density irregularity correction unit determines the position of dot to be corrected taking the arrangement of surrounding dots in the block into consideration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The image formation apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the density irregularity correction unit, as the method of making corrections taking into consideration the arrangement of surrounding dots, rewrites binarized image data in a block by dot arrangement data corresponding to the number of change dots selected from a table consisting of previously created dot arrangement data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
The image formation apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the density irregularity correction unit, as the method of making corrections taking into consideration the arrangement of surrounding dots, references a table consisting of correction position data corresponding to the dot positions in all the correction blocks so as to determine the position of dots to be corrected and rewrites binarized image data in a block.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
191 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for recording an image on a recording medium; binarized image data storage unit for storing binarized image data for on-off control of the recording elements of the recording head; correction data storage unit for storing density irregularity correction data for correcting irregularities in density which occur when the recording elements of the recording head are respectively driven to form the image, the density irregularity correction data being stored in correspondence with each of the recording elements; density irregularity correction unit for, prior to the image formation, correcting the binarized image data stored in the binarized image data storage unit on the basis of the density irregularity correction data stored in the correction data storage unit; and testing binarized image data storage unit for storing binarized image data for testing purpose and detecting unit for detecting irregularities in density of a test image formed by driving the recording head with the binarized image data stored in the testing binarized image storage unit, the density irregularity correction data being calculated on the basis of the detected irregularities in density.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
191 words
An image formation apparatus comprising: a recording head having a plurality of recording elements for recording an image on a recording medium; binarized image data storage unit for storing binarized image data for on-off control of the recording elements of the recording head; correction data storage unit for storing density irregularity correction data for correcting irregularities in density which occur when the recording elements of the recording head are respectively driven to form the image, the density irregularity correction data being stored in correspondence with each of the recording elements; density irregularity correction unit for, prior to the image formation, correcting the binarized image data stored in the binarized image data storage unit on the basis of the density irregularity correction data stored in the correction data storage unit; and testing binarized image data storage unit for storing binarized image data for testing purpose and detecting unit for detecting irregularities in density of a test image formed by driving the recording head with the binarized image data stored in the testing binarized image storage unit, the density irregularity correction data being calculated on the basis of the detected irregularities in density.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image formation apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the recording head, the binarized image data storage unit, the correction data storage unit, the density irregularity correction unit, the testing binarized image data storage unit, and the detecting unit are provided within the apparatus, and input binarized image data is subjected to density irregularity correction within the apparatus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The image formation apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the recording head and the detecting unit are placed in proximity to each other or formed integral with each other.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-03-16 | 2007-09-15 | 2008-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-16 | 2011-09-15 | 2012-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-16 | 2015-09-15 | 2016-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |