Auto Color Registration Control via Composite Black Image Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Color image forming apparatuses often perform unnecessary auto color registration (ACR) corrections, leading to deterioration in printing performance and reduced lifespan of driving sources, as they lack real-time determination of color misregistration.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for controlling ACR that form a composite black image on a transfer belt, sensed by a sensor, and perform ACR correction only when the measured width exceeds a set value, ensuring the apparatus meets predetermined ACR correction conditions such as temperature variation, operation time, or output quantity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If ACR correction is performed frequently to ensure color registration accuracy, then color registration precision is improved, but printing performance deteriorates and driving source lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor registration precisionVSAvoidprinting performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism by measuring the composite black image width and comparing it against a reference value to determine whether ACR correction is actually needed. This feedback loop prevents unnecessary corrections while ensuring corrections are performed when color misregistration occurs, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining precision and preserving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically measuring its own color registration status through the composite black image width measurement and autonomously decides whether ACR correction is needed, eliminating the need for frequent predetermined corrections and improving printing performance while maintaining accuracy when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If ACR correction is performed frequently to maintain color registration, then color registration accuracy is improved, but ACR performance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor registration accuracyVSAvoidACR performance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism measures the actual color registration status and only triggers ACR correction when the measured width exceeds the reference value, eliminating unnecessary correction operations and reducing the total time spent on ACR performance while maintaining color registration accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If ACR correction is performed frequently to ensure color registration, then color registration quality is improved, but driving source lifespan is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor registration qualityVSAvoiddriving source lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis through composite black image measurement and only activates ACR correction when actually needed, reducing unnecessary operation of the driving source and extending its lifespan while maintaining color registration quality through targeted corrections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback mechanism prevents unnecessary driving source activation by only triggering ACR correction when the measured composite black image width indicates actual color misregistration, thus preserving driving source lifespan while maintaining color registration quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

This approach prevents unnecessary ACR corrections, improving printing performance, reducing ACR performance time, and extending the lifespan of driving sources by ensuring ACR is only performed when color misregistration actually occurs.

Implementation Method 1

sensing the composite black image by using a sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sensing: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9354574B2Method of controlling performance of auto color registration and image forming apparatus using the same

Publication Date: 2016.05.31 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A method of controlling performance of auto color registration (ACR) of a color image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus using the same are provided. The method of controlling performance of ACR includes forming a composite black image on a transfer belt, sensing the composite black image by using a sensor, measuring the sensed composite black image, and performing ACR correction when a measured width of the composite black image is greater than a previously set value. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent unnecessary performance of ACR control when no color misregistration has occurred. In this way, ACR control is performed in as short a time as possible so that performance of the image forming apparatus may be improved. Also, it is possible to prevent waste of ACR performance time and life span reduction of a driving source for ACR.