Printing Medium Identification with Adaptive Optical Reference Values
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies face inaccuracies in identifying the type of printing medium due to sensor errors, individual differences among media, and variations in measurement environments, leading to insufficient accuracy in determining the appropriate printing parameters.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus and method that utilizes an optical sensor to measure diffused and specular reflection values, along with paper thickness, to accurately identify the type of printing medium, and employs learning mechanisms to refine characteristic values based on measurement results, enhancing the accuracy of medium identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If reference values are used to identify printing medium type, then identification process is simplified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sensor errors and environmental variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the actual printing medium and uses this measured information to correct the reference values before identification. This preliminary action allows the system to adapt to individual medium characteristics and environmental conditions, improving identification accuracy while maintaining process simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where measurement results from the actual printing medium are fed back to adjust and correct the reference values. This closed-loop approach enables continuous improvement of identification accuracy by accounting for sensor errors and environmental variations affecting the measurement process.
2Measurement precision
If multiple characteristic values are measured to improve identification accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single optical sensor that performs multiple measurement functions by detecting different optical properties (diffuse reflection and specular reflection) of the printing medium. This multi-functional approach enables accurate identification through multiple characteristic values without requiring separate measurement devices for each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes measurement parameters by varying the illumination angles and detection angles to obtain different optical characteristics (diffuse reflection at 45° illumination/0° detection, specular reflection at 45° illumination/45° detection). This parameter variation allows comprehensive medium identification using a single sensor rather than multiple specialized devices.
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
Improves the accuracy of identifying the type of printing medium by integrating learning processes that adapt characteristic values to measured data, ensuring precise setting of printing parameters and enhancing printing quality.
Implementation Method 1
a first characteristic value corresponding to a diffused reflection value of the printing medium is obtained
Implementation Method 2
a second characteristic value corresponding to a specular reflection value of the printing medium is obtained
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An information processing apparatus is configured to control an operation to determine a type of the printing medium to be printed, determine a type of printing medium indicated by information input by input means (406, 405, 201) as the type of the printing medium to be printed, and be capable of executing a measurement mode and a designation mode. In the measurement mode, the type of the printing medium to be printed is determined by using a measurement result and a reference characteristic values set in advance. In the designation mode, the type of the printing medium to be printed is determined without using the measurement result. The information processing apparatus is configured to, even in the designation mode, change the reference characteristic value set in advance for the type of printing medium indicated by the information input by the input means based on the measurement result.