Adjustment Image Sheet Selection for User-Defined Print Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image forming apparatuses face issues with print density nonuniformity due to uneven drum shape and electrical resistance, particularly affecting user-defined size sheets, as they lack automatic selection for suitable sheets to print adjustment images.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus determines the length of sheets in each holding unit, selects suitable units for printing an adjustment image, and controls the conveyance and printing units to ensure accurate image correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the conventional automatic sheet selection function is used, then regular size sheets are automatically selected for printing adjustment images, but user-defined size sheets are not selected even when suitable
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit changes the selection parameter from fixed regular sizes to variable sizes by comparing sheet lengths in the main scanning direction against the adjustment image length. This allows user-defined size sheets to be automatically selected when their length is sufficient, extending the automatic selection function to accommodate various sheet sizes while maintaining automation.
2Manufacturing precision
If a small user-defined size sheet is selected for printing, then the adjustment image does not fit into the sheet, but larger sheets ensure proper fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary verification by comparing the sheet length in the main scanning direction with the adjustment image length before printing. This preliminary action ensures that only sheets large enough to accommodate the adjustment image are selected, preventing fitting issues and ensuring adjustment accuracy without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by checking whether the sheet length is sufficient for the adjustment image and adjusting the sheet selection accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the selected sheet can properly accommodate the adjustment image, maintaining manufacturing precision while operating automatically.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual sheet selection is required for adjustment images, then printing accuracy can be ensured, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically selecting suitable sheets for printing adjustment images based on length comparison. The control unit autonomously determines which sheet holding unit contains an appropriate sheet, eliminating the need for manual selection while ensuring that the selected sheet is suitable for maintaining image adjustment accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism selects a sheet holding unit storing a sheet having a length equal to or larger than a predetermined value in the main scanning direction at the time of printing from among a plurality of sheet holding units storing a plurality of sheets, thus improving convenience in printing an adjustment image. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus includes determining whether a length of a sheet stored in each of a plurality of sheet holding units in a main scanning direction at a time of printing is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, selecting at least one sheet holding unit from among sheet holding units determined to be storing a sheet having a length equal to or larger than the predetermined value, conveying a sheet from the or one of the selected sheet holding unit, and printing an adjustment image on the conveyed sheet.