Image Position Correction Using Cover Sheet Alignment Marks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately positioning and forming images on papers with varying sizes, particularly when only one side of the paper is imaged, as they struggle to handle papers that are too long or have limited scanning area, leading to incomplete image formation on both sides.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a mounting table, an image forming section, and a position correction system that uses detection and alignment images on a cover paper to accurately position and correct the image formation on papers, even when they are too long for two-sided output, ensuring proper alignment and image formation on single-sided outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the paper is separated too far from the end portion of the mounting table to allow scanning, then the image can be scanned without the end portion being separated, but a part of the paper is separated from the scanning area
Solution Approach 1:
A cover sheet is introduced as an intermediary element between the paper and the mounting table. The cover sheet includes a reference mark that serves as a mediator for position detection, allowing the end portion of the paper to be separated from the mounting table while still enabling accurate scanning through the reference mark on the cover sheet.
2Manufacturing precision
If images are formed on two sides of the paper using alignment images, then the paper can be mounted at a predetermined position, but it requires forming images on both sides which is not possible for papers longer than the apparatus limit
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is extracted from the paper itself and transferred to a separate cover sheet. Instead of requiring alignment images on both sides of the paper, the reference mark is placed on the cover sheet, allowing the imaging apparatus to handle papers of any length including those that can only be imaged on one side.
3Ease of operation
If the paper is abutted against the end portion of the mounting table for scanning, then the mounting is simplified, but the end portion of the paper cannot be measured well
Solution Approach 1:
The reference mark on the cover sheet acts as an intermediary measurement target. Instead of directly measuring the end portion of the paper which causes measurement errors when abutted against the mounting table, the system measures the reference mark on the cover sheet, eliminating the measurement error while maintaining simple mounting operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus includes a mounting table on which an object whose image is to be scanned is mounted; an image forming section that forms an image, which includes a first image for measuring a relative position with respect to an end portion of a paper, on a first side of the paper; an image scanning section that scans the image mounted on the mounting table; and a position correction section that corrects a relative position of an image, which is formed on the paper, with respect to the paper based on a result of scanning performed by the image scanning section, in which in a case where the image scanning section scans the end portion of the paper and the image formed on the first side of the paper in a state in which the first side of the paper on which the first image is formed faces the mounting table, the end portion of the paper is mounted on the mounting table at a position separated from an end portion of the mounting table, and, further, the paper is covered with a cover paper, and the image forming section forms, on the first side of the paper, a third image that uses, as an alignment object, a second image for alignment formed on a side of the cover paper opposite to a side on which the cover paper is in contact with the paper while a part of the paper is mounted in a state of protruding from the mounting table and a first edge of the cover paper.