Image Calibration Mark Detection for Printer Error Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often incorrectly place calibration images under different calibration modes, leading to calibration errors in image forming apparatuses due to the similarity of calibration images and changes in image forming conditions.

Innovation Solution

The image forming apparatus identifies a calibration mark on the calibration image to determine if it matches the current calibration event type, preventing incorrect placement and ensuring accurate calibration operations by marking the calibration event type with unique identifiers such as two-dimensional codes, barcodes, or text information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If calibration images for different calibration modes are made similar in appearance, then it becomes harder for users to distinguish between them, but this reduces the complexity of calibration image design

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration image design complexityVSAvoiduser ability to distinguish calibration images
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces calibration marks as intermediary elements that are added to calibration images. These marks serve as unique identifiers that allow users to easily distinguish between different calibration modes without requiring fundamental changes to the calibration image design. The calibration marks act as a mediator between the simplified calibration image design and the user's need for distinction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes visual differentiation through calibration marks that can be detected by the image forming apparatus. While the main calibration images remain similar in design, the calibration marks provide distinctive visual characteristics (such as different patterns, positions, or types of marks) that enable users to easily identify the correct calibration image for the current calibration mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If users manually select calibration images without assistance, then the operation process remains simple, but calibration errors increase due to incorrect image placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation process simplicityVSAvoidcalibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the image forming apparatus automatically detects calibration marks on the inserted calibration image and verifies whether the calibration image type matches the current calibration mode. This feedback loop provides immediate verification to the user, preventing incorrect calibration operations while maintaining simple manual insertion procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic verification of calibration image correctness through calibration mark detection. The image forming apparatus independently checks whether the inserted calibration image is appropriate for the current calibration mode, reducing reliance on user judgment while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If calibration images are reused across different calibration events, then resource utilization improves, but calibration errors occur when image forming conditions change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration image reuse efficiencyVSAvoidcalibration accuracy under changing conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates calibration marks that are generated in advance for different calibration modes and printed on calibration images. These pre-encoded marks allow the system to identify the intended calibration mode of each image before use. When conditions change, the system can detect through the calibration mark whether the reused calibration image is still appropriate, preventing errors while allowing resourceful reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4064671B1Image calibration method, image forming apparatus, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 ZHUHAI PANTUM ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4064671B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4064671B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4064671B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an image calibration method, an image forming apparatus, and a storage medium. The method includes outputting a calibration image in response to a calibration instruction, where the calibration image includes a calibration pattern and a calibration mark; according to the calibration mark of the calibration image, determining whether a calibration event corresponding to the calibration image matches a calibration event corresponding to a current calibration operation, or determining whether a calibration event type corresponding to the calibration image matches a calibration event type corresponding to a current calibration operation; and performing image calibration according to the calibration pattern in the calibration image if the calibration event corresponding to the calibration image matches the calibration event corresponding to the current calibration operation, or if the calibration event type corresponding to the calibration image matches the calibration event type corresponding to the current calibration operation.