Digital Smoothing Technology

FUJIFILM Business Innovation is developing various types of technology aiming to achieve higher image quality and faithfully reproduce documents.

Image enhancement technology

Documents containing high-resolution images, diagrams, and characters are created and distributed even in general offices due to the widespread use of high-performance PCs, digital cameras, and image software and the setup of network environments.
As shown in Fig. 1, conventional processing (600 dpi) makes jagged edges of diagonal lines at low angles noticeable while such diagonal lines can be reproduced smoothly by use of new image enhancement processing technology capitalizing on the output characteristics of high resolution (2,400 dpi).

Fig. 1: Reproduction of diagonal line edges

This image enhancement processing technology has realized the design of a new mapping scheme which responds to 2,400 dpi on a more minutely meshed matrix from conventional 600-dpi technology. In addition, processing is performed in the secondary scanning direction as well as in the primary scanning direction. As a result, this allows minute pixel control, enabling smoother reproduction of black lines and character outlines. This new feature is especially effective in reproducing diagonal lines at low angles which have been difficult to achieve in the past.

Fig. 2: Processing in fast and slow scan directions on a more minutely meshed matrix

Edge enhancement technology

Normally, multifunction devices and printers perform screen processing on images for tonal reproduction. When normal screen processing is performed on halftone text or lines, however, the outlines of the text or lines sometimes become jagged and cannot be clearly reproduced. Our edge enhancement technology changes the type of screen used on the outlines of text and lines, reducing the jaggedness and allowing for cleaner, clearer images to be reproduced.

Fig. 3: Edge enhancement processing

Technology for correcting the sharpness of text and lines

Text and lines printed using a multifunction device or printer can sometimes become blurred and not printed clearly. Using this technology, the density of the outlines of text and lines can be changed to reproduce clearer, sharper text and lines.
In addition, because the density of the outlines can be modified in different amounts, the level of correction of the text and lines can be selected. This way, the sharpness of text and lines can be changed according to customers' preferences.

Fig. 4: Differences in text reproduction quality between different sharpness correction levels